Product Description

The successful managers for the next century will be the culturally sensitive ones. You can gain competitive advantage from having strategies to deal with the cultural differences you will encounter in any international business setting. Richard Lewis provides a guide to working and communicating across cultures, and explains how your culture and language affect the ways in which you think and respond. This revised and expanded edition in paperback of Richard Lewis's book provides an ever more global and practical guide not just to understanding but also managing in different business cultures. From India to Ireland, Belgium to Brazil, Mexico to Malaysia, the Czech Republic to Chile.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16186 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 599 pages

Review
"Lewis provides urbane and knowledgeable guidance... Verdict: this book could mean the difference between winning and losing valuable orders abroad." The Director; "Lewis is a crosscultural expert who has now presented his wisdom in a highly readable book." Evening Standard"

From the Author
Be prepared for global interaction.
I have been explaining how nationality differences impact on international business relations for over 15 years. During this time, I have come to realise that existing models for cultural analysis fail to capture the true picture of cultural diversity. I therefore invented my national categorisation model detailing Linear-active, Multi-active and Reactive cultures. When Cultures Collide is based on this model and I believe is the first book which really provides the internationally-minded reader with an opportunity to understand – in clear and simple terms – how to interact successfully with other cultures.

About the Author
Richard Lewis is the chairman of Richard Lewis Communications, an international institute of cross-cultural and language training with offices in over 30 countries. He founded the quartely magazine 'Cross Culture' in 1989 and is heavily involved in the intercultural field, lecturing in countries from Finland to Hong Kong and working with companies as diverse as Fiat, IBM, Nokia, Andersen Consulting and Nestle. He lives near Winchester, and is one of Britain's foremost linguists, speaking 12 languages - and spent 5 years in Japan, where he was tutor to the Imperial Family.

Customer Reviews

A modern classic for achieving inter-cultural competence
Lewis' book is a must read for global managers and students of international business alike. Explainations for global variations in perception, contrasting leadership styles and relation to time are highlighted with several good examples. 3 categories of culture are defined and both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques are extremely valid. The last third of the book is donated to specific countries, where the east-west contrasts are very helpful. Finally, the chapter on empathy puts everything together to give the reader a excellent standpoint from which to manage interculturally.

Excellent
This is an excellent book. From its marketing, I thought that "When Cultures Collide: Managing Successfully Across Cultures" pertained specifically to dealing with people of different nationalities in the business place. And indeed, it is a most useful book for that purpose. However, I was struck by how much one could apply Lewis' analyses to other situations, for example, dealing with people of other nationalities on a social level. Indeed, I have many aquaintances, and some close friends, from diverse backgrounds, and this book sometimes occupies us for entire evenings, discussing our experiences with one another. The chapter on Hungarians I found particularly accurate, and entertaining. I believe that Lewis would have enjoyed hearing some of these discussions (and arguments). My point is: don't dismiss this book thinking it is a businessman's tool. It's a good read for anybody who encounters people of other nationalities and cultures, irrespective of the context.

Great for anyone working in multi-cultural environments
I've travelled, competed in sport and worked in over 55 countries for over 25 years. The fascination of different cultures grows as I learn more.

This book can be used before embarking on life in a new country or life alongside someone who comes from a different culture to yours, whether the relationship is personal or work based.

Whilst the book provides an excellent appreciation of cultural differences, it is a fascinating and sometimes humourous read. It has made for some fun and interesting conversation with people from other cultures or those who are experiencing other cultures.

For any manager working in an international environment, this is a 'must-read'.