Managers' Forum ~ Book Reviews
 

This book is a very good business resource for men and women alike.  It gives a comprehensive overview into different countries and their views about females.  This information is obviously valuable to women dealing with
these cultures.  However, men can also gain much insight into the cultural environment of these nations, thus enhancing understanding and potential business relationships.  Overall, the book was interesting, helpful, and
often amusing.

There is a section that provides practical survival tips for traveling and working in foreign countries.  It addresses such things as dating, discrimination, and harassment.  It also discusses protocol for women in business, and provides helpful tips in such areas as safety, health, and packing for trips.  There is another section that gives advice country by country.  For each country, the book discusses such subjects as eye contact, appropriate dress, greetings, and names and ways to address people.  In this section, I especially liked the way the authors provided historical background for the different countries.

The next section of this book provides a prognosis for women in the business world.  It discusses history, today's environment, and the future.  It also has individual case studies of women in international careers, telling how
they became successful in these assignments.  This section identifies 11 basic rules for crossing culture that I found to be especially relevant (page 141).  These rules are applicable for both men and women and should be
given consideration in dealings both abroad and at home.

The last part of the book was not very interesting reading, but would be a very useful resource for the person who is relocating into an international assignment.  It addresses such topics as preparing yourself and your family
for the move, and provides good practical tips and helpful checklists.  Also there are many additional resources identified for the person who is relocating overseas.

Having personally traveled frequently with men companion travelers, and meeting almost exclusively with men in business relationships, I found much wisdom in this book.  However, as I read the country by country
descriptions, I found myself feeling a bit discouraged by the inevitable fact that in most places, it is not easy to gain acceptance as a woman in business.
 

Axtell, Roger E., Briggs, Tami & Corcoran, Margaret. Do’s and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business, John Wiley & Sons, 1997, ISBN:0471143642

 
Contact Us!