african style of mgt

7/31/2019 African Style of Mgt

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AIBS

MBAIB

2nd Sem

Cross Cultural Management

By

Prof.(Dr.) Sanjeev Chaturvedi


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African Management Style

Traditional African business tended towards the accumulation of

power and decision-making in the hands of a few senior managers(usually white), with middle managers waiting in line to move up the

corporate ladder over time.

Post-apartheid, things have started to changeespecially under the

influence of the myriad of MNCs which have flocked into the countrywith hierarchies breaking down and younger middle-managers

looking to become more proactively involved in decision-making.

Despite being a somewhat egalitarian society, business people in South

Africa have a lot of respect for senior executives and colleagues whohave obtained their position through diligence and perseverance.


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The biggest change to have impacted at middle management level overthe last few years has been the introduction of a new cadre of blackprofessionals into most companies.

This new breed of managers has been enabled to make corporateprogress through the use of affirmative action programmes

In South African companies, decision-making power typically lies with

the most senior person at the top of the company. However, inaccordance with African culture, final decisions are often madefollowing consultation with subordinates.

Africans prefer to do business with those they have met previously.

Consequently, formal letters of introduction from a known third partymay help you to reach key decision-makers easily and therefore speedup the business process. It is deemed highly offensive to most SouthAfricans if the proper respect for an elder is not shown, especially inmore rural areas.


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South African Meetings Meeting styles will differ depending upon who you are dealing with

a traditional, white-dominated business, a start-up black Africancompany or the subsidiary of a multi-national located in Johannesburg

or Cape Town.

Africans expect you to have a good idea of the current situation. Show

that you have done your research and that you have adapted yourpolicies or ideas to meet the local conditions.

Take time in the meeting to try to develop a good relationship with the

people you are doing business with as relationships have always

formed the basis of good businessregardless of culturalbackground.

Avoid anything that could be considered a hard sell approach.


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It is much better to be understated and patient with South Africancontacts as being too assertive will probably alienate people.

The concept of time and the approach taken towards it differs betweenthe white and black cultures living in South Africa. For the majority ofwhite Africans, time is viewed in a in a more formal manner. However,conversely, you can expect black Africans to do things at a slower pace.

The overall aim during business negotiations in South Africa is toreach a general consensus. South Africans prefer to see a fair, win-winsituation where all sides gain something from the deal, and for thisreason, confrontations and aggressive bartering over prices should beavoided.

Dont raise your voice or interrupt whilst your South Africancounterparts are speaking. Both actions lack the personal approach toa business relationship and therefore may be interpreted as an insult.


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African Teams All Africans are acutely aware of the ethnic and racial divisions and

these divisions can make it difficult to build teams which cross theseboundaries.

Putting teams together and making them work requires a great deal of

sensitivity and local knowledge.


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African Communication Styles The common business language is English and most people you meet in

any international business setting will speak the languagealthoughoften with a strong accent which can be difficult to follow on occasion.

Many white South Africans prefer plain-speaking to an overly

diplomatic approach and may confuse subtleness and vagueness with

lack of commitment or even untrustworthiness.

Many of the black cultures stress diplomacy in communication and

may not want to disappoint the listener by disagreeing openly or

admitting that they dont know the answer to a question.

Humor is an often used communication device and can be used in

almost all situationsit is very often used as a tension release

mechanism.


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On the whole, people are addressed using first names in typical business

situations, although when dealing with a driver or a maid, the first name

may be preceded by Mr. or Mrs.

It is also fairly uncommon to use formal titles such as Doctor or Professor

in anything other than academic circles.

Back slapping, firm handshakes (often quite lengthy) are common and it

can be seen as a sign of aloofness if the foreign visitor backs away from thisapproach.


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Women in Business Traditionally women from all communities within South Africa have

played a very minimal role within the business world.

Female participation at senior management level is extremely low and

although some progress towards greater gender equality within the

workforce has been made, the progress is slow.

A macho culture could be said to be pervasive in South Africa and

women can expect to be treated with less respect than male colleagues.


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African Dress Code Men are advised to wear a collar and tie and women to wear smart,

business-like dresses or suits.

If meeting business contacts on a social basis, it is possible to dress

more casually but not too casually.

african style of mgt

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