标题: 英语商务文化背景知识 [打印本页] 作者: puruoer 时间: 2007-11-22 00:07 标题: 英语商务文化背景知识 When meeting someone in a Western business setting，conversation usually remains focused on business matters and business topics. Family and/or personal matters are not brought up，especially the first time you meet. Conversations stick to the business purpose at hand and remain objective and professional.
In the West，most companies have well-established and identifiable lines of organization. Larger companies have a clear division of corporate and field roles. Responsibility for all activities is well-established according to function.
Basically all employees at medium to large-sized Western companies have an official，documented job description. Titles are usually indicative of rank and status. Titles are normally used to describe various positions，but are not used when addressing the person.
Basically，all Western employees are covered by an employee contract，from a hamburger flipper to the CEO of a major corporation. All employee contracts are enforceable by law，and both employees and employers can be held liable for any unauthorized violation of a contract. The terms and conditions can vary widely from one company to another，from one profession to another，and from one position to another.
In the West，clear delineation and classification of job responsibilities are instrumental in creating a strong company culture. Everybody is accountable，from the head of the company down to the lowest-level employee. This approach creates a sense of direction，generates staff cohesion，and enhances morale.
Western clients and customers are not expecting an overly friendly conversation when they make a business call. They expect some degree of professionalism. If the person answering the call is too lackadaisical，unenthusiastic or indifferent，they may hang up and take their business someplace else！
In Western business culture，making an appointment is commonplace for most business dealings. Most company personnel are on a tight schedule，and it saves your time and theirs by planning ahead and scheduling appointments.
A pre-determined meeting at a specific time and place.
Schedule
A group of appointments slotted over a specific time horizon. Can be administered personally or by a secretary，personal assistant，etc.
Meeting
A group of individuals getting together to announce or discuss business matters.
Planner
A formatted tool for scheduling appointments，calling meetings，and managing time effectively.
PIM（Palm Pilot，etc.）
Personal Information Manager，Personal Digital Assistant. An electronic planner that combines multiple business functions，such as Email，Calendar，Phone book，Address book，Note pad，Time，Date，Calculator，etc.
Minutes
Written documentation of a business meeting. Usually the minute-taker only plays a supporting role in the meeting.
To-do lists
Lists of actionable items that have to be performed. Sometimes the items are time-sensitive，and sometimes they are just memory-joggers.
Action plan
Methodical，comprehensive composite of tasks to be performed.
Multi-tasking
The act of performing or of being involved in multiple projects and/or tasks that have to progress simultaneously.
Prioritizing
Ranking projects，tasks and assignments in the order of their importance for execution.
Agenda
Orderly，systematic list/schedule of business items to be discussed at a meeting.
For many Western employees，praise and criticism are also tied to a regular review process（often an annual review），where they can be rewarded if their work quality has achieved or exceeded company standards. Most Western companies avoid negative c riticism because it can be demoralizing and counter-productive.
Most Western companies are fairly strict about employees wearing the proper business attire and presenting themselves in a professional way. This applies to all white-collar employees，and sometimes to blue-collar workers as well. In some cases，employees may be required to wear some kind of company uniform. Any employee who refuses to adhere to company policy can be disciplined.
Gossiping is human nature. Lots of people do it. Mild gossip is usually harmless，but excessive gossip should be avoided，especially in a business environment. Although Western companies tolerate gossip，they do not encourage it，and they are definitely against rumors and rumor-mongering.
In most Western businesses，employee expenses are the single largest cost of doing business. Western salaries and benefits usually constitute at least 50% of a company's expenses. For each employee，the company pays base salary，makes contributions for pension plans，medical plans，etc.，and pays for office space，furniture，supplies，etc. In addition，they cover the cost of other benefits（paid vacations，sick days，etc.）with no productivity gained.
It's quite common practice for Western businesses to lay off employees during times of economic upheaval，company reorganization / restructuring，and downsizing. There is no great stigma associated with being laid off. When employees are laid off，they are usually given a package to ease the pain of being severed from the company.
Project management is a key methodology that Western businesses use on a regular basis to solve problems，to launch new products and services，and to maximize the use of personnel. Project management teams are usually comprised of members who have the highly specialized skills appropriate for the project and who can perform at maximum efficiency for the company.
项目管理是一门科学理论，西方企业运用这一理论来解决问题，指导新?坊蚍?裢斗攀谐。?灿美粗傅既嗽钡淖罴鸦?渲谩Ｏ钅抗芾硇∽橥ǔＳ梢韵氯嗽弊槌桑壕哂泻虾跸钅啃枰?淖ㄒ导际跞嗽焙湍芪??敬?醋畲笮?实脑惫ぁ?br />
In the West，job interviews are highly formalized and systematic. Employers pay close attention to a potential employee's qualifications，background，personality and skills to determine her/his fit with not only the job but also with the company culture. It is an expensive process and employers want to make sure that the best employee is hired for a position to keep turnover to a minimum.
在西方，工作面试是非常正式和系统化的。雇用方会密切注意未来职员的潜在的条件、背景、个性和能力，来决定他是否不仅适合该工作，也适合整个公司的文化基调。这其实是一个花费不小的程序，所以雇用方必须确保每个岗位雇用的是最好、最适合该工作的职员，以把人事变动率降到最低。作者: tommyxie 时间: 2008-12-30 09:00
it's useful, much close to actual