company mentor:___________ date: ___________ presenters: the united states: an overview
TRANSCRIPT
C O M P A N Y M E N T O R : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D A T E : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P R E S E N T E R S :
The United States: An Overview
Government Type: Constitution-based Federal Republic
Capital: Washington, D.C. Administrative Divisions: 50
States and 1 District Suffrage: 18 years of age,
universal Head of State: President Barack
Obama Political Parties: Democratic,
Republican, Green, Libertarian National Symbol: Bald Eagle National Anthem: “The Star-
Spangled Banner”
Country Profile
Government
Source: CIA World Factbook
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
GDP: $15.08 TrillionGDP Growth Rate
(2011): 1.8%GDP (per capita):
$48,300Unemployment Rate: 9%Exports: $1.497 trillionImports: $2.236 trillion
Country Profile
Economy
Source: CIA World Factbook
World's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India)
Total Area: 9,826,675 sq km
Lowest Point: Death Valley -86 m
Highest Point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m
Country Profile
Geography
Source: CIA World Factbook Twice the size of the EU
US on a WorldMap
Demographics
Population: 313,847,465Median Age: 37 YearsLife Expectancy: 78.5
YearsSex Ratio: 0.97
male(s)/femaleUrbanization: 82% live
in urban areasPopulation Growth Rate:
0.9%
Country Profile
Source: CIA World Factbook
Religion and Language
Protestant 51.3% Roman Catholic 23.9% Mormon 1.7% Other Christian 1.6% Jewish 1.7% Buddhist 0.7% Muslim 0.6% Other 2.5% Unaffiliated 12.1% None 4%
English 82.1% Spanish 10.7% Other Indo-European 3.8% Asian and Pacific Island 2.7% Other 0.7% There are more than 300
languages besides English which can claim native speakers in the United States
Country Profile
Source: CIA World Factbook
Individualism (Independence and Self-Reliance)
Time (Punctuality): “Time is Money”
Respect for Privacy– Ex: Avoidance of age, weight, or salary in conversation
Directness/Openness (Honesty): No means no, yes means yes
Social Mobility: “The American Dream”
Equality: “All men are created equal…”
Competition
Culture
Values
Source: http://www.yale.edu/oiss/life/cultural/americans/values.html
DO address your American business colleagues with a title, such as “Dr”, “Ms”, “Mr”, or “Mrs”, and their last name when meeting someone for the first time. You may find that, your American counterparts will insist on using first names almost immediately; this is not a sign of familiarity but simply reflects the casual business style
DO say “please” and “thank you” to everyone for even the smallest kindness. Politeness is highly valued
DO be prepared to partake in preliminary small talk with your American counterparts at the beginning of a business meeting.
DON’T expect all companies to be the same. Business culture in the US differs from company to company on many levels, including industry, region and business structure.
DON’T make any other form of physical contact such as hugging when greeting your American counterpart for the first time. Americans respect their privacy and personal space.
DON’T be offended or surprised if your American colleagues cannot accept a gift. Gift giving is often discouraged or limited by many US companies
Business Norms
Top 10 Business Norms
Source: Communicaid Group Ltd. 2009
It is customary to begin and end business meetings with a brief but firm handshake. Maintaining direct eye contact is also essential.
The exchanging of business cards is a casual affair in the US and as such demands no clear ritual or set of rules.
The aim of most business discussions in the US is to arrive at a signed contract.
When doing business in the US, you will be expected to adhere to rules and guidelines that your US business counterparts must also follow. Company policy and business procedures such as legally binding contracts, are aspects of American business culture that require strict compliancy.
Business Norms
Top 10 Business Norms
Source: Communicaid Group Ltd. 2009
Language Tips
Words and Expressions in Business Meetings
• Hello• Good morning• How are you doing• Nice to meet you• Thank you• Goodbye
Translation/Phonetics:
[add content for native country]….
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