weitzer
Access to Asia
Advance Praise
Well before Austin became the venue for Formula One, the city's leadership considered it important to focus on our globalization efforts and develop an internationally inclusive mindset. We at the Chamber of Commerce know the importance of building trust, inspiring respect and creating long-lasting business relationships with the many international communities that choose to invest here. That is why we are excited that one of our own, international etiquette expert and intercultural consultant Sharon Schweitzer, has stepped up to author such a detailed, resource-rich book. Access to Asia will be invaluable to anyone who understands that today's business, whether corporate or civic, depends on developing sound, long-term relationships. We know from having watched our diverse community grow exponentially how important this is to business success today.
China in 24 pages? Didn't think it could be done? Sharon Schweitzer presents what the visiting business person needs to know with her clear, comprehensive, no-nonsense advice. In just this one chapter, she has incorporated Chinese expectations, communication patterns and work organisation in a simple, succinct way (including some useful phrases in Mandarin.) I found her commentary on key differences between the Chinese and Western way of doing things highly illuminating and her references to experts in the field very appropriate and useful. The 8 point self-awareness exercise at the end of each chapter is a good way to check how close or how far apart you are to your Chinese partners or those in the other nine Asian countries offered in this book. Such a wealth of information!
“After more than three decades helping business travelers better understand their colleagues in other cultures, I know how vital it is to understand country-specific customs and avoid costly international faux pas. It is refreshing to see that in addition to the invaluable insights and practical advice offered in Access to Asia, Ms. Schweitzer helps readers to assess their own readiness for working with Asian cultures, acknowledging the most important requirement for cross-cultural success: know yourself first, in order to know others!”
“Unlike typical regional business guides, Access to Asia focuses on the deeper side of cultural understanding. It goes beyond rules and facts and helps the reader make sense of the often subtle, yet profound, cultural differences found in Asia – something that's critical for building successful relationships. Sharon Schweitzer understands that cultural understanding is not just a set of techniques to use, facts to learn, or rules to follow. By learning the cultural perspective of others, we explore the hidden parts of our cultural self. Access to Asia provides a great starting point for this profoundly satisfying journey.”
“Access to Asia is like the Lonely Planet for business travelers – an essential handbook. In the West if you have the business logic set in place that is enough for business to get done. But in Asia, typically, you much establish a route to the heart of the person you are dealing with. Only then will business happen. Sharon Schweitzer understands this and offers readers a very clear and invaluable guidebook.”
“As we emphasize through our Gateway program, today's higher education institutions must graduate globally competent students with an awareness of and adaptability to diverse cultures. Access to Asia's focus on relationship building makes it essential reading for global citizens–current and future–so they understand how success in Asia depends on cultural awareness.”
“Success in today's business world is increasingly dependent upon foundations of deep social and cultural understanding, particularly in Asia's business environment. Having a highly organized, detailed and focused multicultural guide is invaluable. Access to Asia is that invaluable book of significant educational value for budding entrepreneurs, universities and colleges offering undergraduate, graduate and MBA courses focusing on international business. Access to Asia is a must-have resource for international travelers looking to boost their business interests in Asia.”
“As the world grows smaller and smaller the understanding of different cultures, especially those so different from our own, has never been more vital. Access to Asia is the must-read book for any traveller to the East, however much they think they already know. There has been nothing like it for some time and the literary world has been crying out for such a book. It is teeming with invaluable gold dust that has made Sharon Schweitzer's stellar work one of the 21st century's best promotions of cross-cultural awareness.”
“As the President of The Protocol School of Washington, I am thrilled one of our great graduates, Sharon Schweitzer is now making significant contributions to our field with the publication of her book Access to Asia.
I strongly endorse the focus in Sharon's timely book toward building trust and inspiring respect in the international business arena, in addition to stressing the importance of developing strong business relationships with counterparts in Asia. After all, we are not “going” global – we are global! The same deep knowledge and enthusiasm for developing truly unique, captivating advice that Sharon shares with her clients can be found in this book. As a current or future business leader with an eye to cultural competence, you will find the insightful advice in this practical resource invaluable.”
“The importance of understanding different cultures around the world has never been greater. Learning to discern the subtle differences within Asian cultures enables us to understand and appreciate better the opportunities such diversity affords. Sharon's life experience, research and resultant depth of understanding and clarity of Asian cultures, within a framework of eight crucial questions, makes this book a must have for anyone interested in expanding their understanding of global affairs.”
“Access to Asia by Sharon Schweitzer fills a much needed information gap for international business travelers.
Frequently, CEOs and other high level executives, during programs or coaching sessions, ask me for an information source for specific hard facts about a country. Usually travel time is very short and they are focused on strategic results. But during the non-task interactions, ignorance about the basic facts of the country could be embarrassing as well as erode trust. I think this book provides pertinent information quickly prior to a business trip or hosting international counterparts. Also, this book creates the awareness that besides the hard facts of business such as legal regulatory and financial aspects of doing business in a country, we must be aware of the cultural factors or “Smart factors” such as: differences in decision making, communication, or establishing a relationship of confidence and trust. Access to Asia by Sharon Schweitzer will help to remove the blind spots that are impediments to success in doing business in Asia.”
