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Australia is both a continent and the sixth largest country in the world. Most of the
population is concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
A key business location, Australia has the unique advantage of historically being a
European-based English-speaking culture with a multicultural population located in
the Asian region. Economically, politically, socially, and educationally, Australia is
on a par with leading economies.
Mass immigration after the World War II brought large demographic changes,
making Australia one of the world's most multicultural countries. Much of the recent
immigration has been from Asia. Australia sees its future as a dominant Southern
hemisphere and Asian power. It is an important member of the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and strives to forge free trade arrangements
with China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The country faces some of the same long-term challenges as other developed
countries: an aging population, pressure on infrastructure and environmental
concerns including climate change.
Culture Overview
Cultural Essentials
Multiculturalism
Australia is a multicultural country where about one-quarter of the
population was born overseas or has a parent who was. More than 260
languages are spoken and residents identify with about 270 ethnicities. In
addition, the government is actively engaging with the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
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Egalitarianism
Australia is an egalitarian country that does not have rigid class distinctions
and wealth does not make someone more important than others. This
dates back to the demarcation between convicts and ex-convicts and the
rest of the settlers. The ex-convicts who were treated as second-class
citizens refused to see themselves as inferior and believed they could
reach their goals if they worked hard.
The phrase "tall poppy" is used to describe someone who tries to stand out
from the crowd and act as though s/he is better than anyone else. Once
commonly used, the phrase has lost impact in recent years as Aussies
have realized they have a lot to offer on the global arena. Nonetheless,
most Aussies strive to remain modest about their accomplishments and
believe boasting or bragging is arrogant.
Basic egalitarianism is seen in all aspects of life. Aussies generally use first
names with everyone, from their boss to the server at a restaurant. They
form a queue when waiting to be served where a number of people seek
attention simultaneously. They are willing to wait their turn. When riding in
a taxi, men sit in the front with the driver to show that they see themselves
as equal.
Aussies may downplay their own success, which has given the
misconception that they are not achievement-oriented. The reality is that
Aussies are smart and competitive. Their "who me?" attitude may hide a
human dynamo.
Perhaps as a result of their passion for sports, Aussies accept that despite
their individuality they are part of a group. It could be a sporting team, work
group, company or neighborhood. When working in a group, Australians
believe each person should contribute to the best of their ability for the best
interest of the group. They will refer to success as the group's success,
even if they were a principal reason for the success.
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Informality
Australians are renowned for their easy-going behavior and senses of
humor. Foreigners generally describe them as casual, laid back and
passionate about sports.
Their informality is seen in the speech pattern and their ease at addressing
everyone from the CEO to the bank president to the mail carrier by their
first name. Australians are not impressed by titles; they want to see what
someone can do. This is not a culture where hyperbole is the norm. In fact,
it can lead to Aussies feeling the need to take "the person down a peg".
At times, Australians may use language that is more colorful than you are
accustomed to hearing. This is not meant as an insult. Rather, it is their
way of demonstrating their sense of egalitarianism.
Direct Communication
Australians pride themselves on saying what they mean and meaning what
they say. They openly discuss their ideas without trying to state them in a
politically correct manner. They consider being understood as more
important than being diplomatic and polite. They are not afraid to disagree
with what someone has said, but do not make it into a personal attack on
the person. When people speak indirectly, Aussies may not understand the
message.
Aussies often pepper their speech with sporting analogies. The most
popular sports are football, rugby, cricket, bush walking, tennis, and water
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Religion
Role of Women
More women than men complete secondary school and university and
women comprise nearly 60% of the workforce. In addition, more than 30%
of small businesses are female-owned.
Women hold about 40% of senior and executive positions in public service.
They also hold 34% of seats on federal government-controlled boards and
23% of chair or deputy chair positions. Twenty-five percent of women were
elected into the House of Representatives in the 43rd parliament and 37%
women in the Senate.
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Although there remains a wage disparity between men and women, Gen Y
and Gen X employees are closer to pay parity (men out-earn women by
3.5%), whereas for Baby Boomers, the wage differential is nearly 15%.
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Arrive on time for meetings as this shows respect for the Australians.
Likewise, do not engage in lengthy getting-to-know-you conversation.
Establishing Credibility
In terms of greeting protocol, a businesswoman should extend her hand to
her Australian counterpart.
There are still remnants of the "tall poppy syndrome" where Australians
poke fun at someone who boasts or brags about what they own or their
accomplishments. Therefore, a foreign businesswoman should avoid self-
promotional conversations. This is a culture where actions speak louder
than words.
Avoid excessive use of superlatives, which may be considered over the top
or insincere.
View of Foreigners
For the most part, Australians take a pragmatic approach and give
newcomers the benefit of the doubt. A naturally curious people, Australians
are interested in learning about other cultures and are adept at adopting
many influences imported by immigrants. This is seen in the countrys
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Please keep in mind that not all people from any given culture act the
same, but in order to describe cultural traits, we had to make
generalizations, which may not apply in some cases. Perhaps the most
important tip we can provide is that when interacting across cultures, you
need to approach every situation with an understanding of the basic tenets
of a given culture and yet remain alert to the specific cultural signals you
receive in each situation and adjust your behavior and expectations
accordingly.
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Australia is a direct communication culture. The following tips will give you
clues about how you might handle communication with Australian
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colleagues:
The degree to which people feel that they can control time
The relative importance of relationships vs. schedules
Attitudes towards timekeeping and punctuality
Comfort level with short range vs. longer term planning
The feasibility / appropriateness of assigning set times for social
functions or business meetings to start and finish
Australia is a Controlled Time society. The following tips will give you clues
about how you may best interact with Australian colleagues around time
issues:
The degree to which people feel they control their environment and
destiny-or the degree to which they feel their environment and
destiny control them
Openness to change and innovation
The preference for rules and structure
Willingness to take risks
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Generational Info
Generational Overview
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These are the most common definition, although a few years on either side
of the range is possible.
Many Baby Boomers have already retired or are nearing normal retirement
age. It is estimated that within 5 years, only 10% of the workforce will be
Baby Boomers. Some may continue to work as consultants or freelancers,
either in their existing career or something entirely different.
Baby Boomers
Born
1946 1964
Seminal Events
Values
Hierarchical
Task-oriented
Idealistic
Enthusiastic
Energetic
Passionate
Principled
Relatively respectful of authority
Believe they could create a better world
Hard-working
Career-focused
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Work Ethic
Since they define themselves by what they do, Boomers are often
workaholics.
They work to live, often not enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Although they have a strong individualistic streak, most are proud of
being the generation that made a big splash by being the largest and
most vocal. Thus, they often enjoy being part of a team.
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Risk Tolerance
Since they see themselves as change agents who brought to the
workplace the same unbridled enthusiasm that took on the establishment,
they are risk tolerant, although the level varies by person.
How to Manage
Generation X
Born
1965 1979
Other Names
Gen X
Slacker Generation
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Baby Busters
Seminal Events
Values
Work Ethic
Although they are willing to work hard, they focus more on working
smart. If there is a shortcut or a way to streamline a process, they will
find it. Older generations may see this as a desire for change for its
own sake.
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Risk Tolerance
Since they were raised to be self-reliant, Gen X can be extremely risk
tolerant. They are also highly entrepreneurial.
Eager for change and new challenges since they are constantly
striving to be all they can be.
Gen Xs adapt well to change and are not lulled into a sense of
security with the status quo. They enjoy brainstorming and coming up
with new solutions to old problems.
How to Manage
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Generation Y
Born
1965 1979
Other Names
Gen Y
The Why Generation
Millennials
Seminal Events
Values
Optimistic
Self-Confident
Socially aware
Lifelong learners
Respect diversity
Technologically savvy
Close relationships with parents
Achievement-oriented
Work-life balance
Multi-taskers
Open and collaborative
Creative
Productive
What's-in-it-for-me attitude
Relationship oriented
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Work Ethic
Work to live
Work-life balance is considered a given
Expect to succeed
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Risk Tolerance
Since they are not accustomed to failure, they can be risk averse.
How to Manage
Explain how their role fits into the organization. Gen Ys work best
when they understand how their contribution matters.
Clearly communicate expectations and what the employee can
expect from the company. It is important to provide context to Gen Ys
and help them develop a realistic idea of what they can expect.
When delegating routine and mundane tasks, explain how this task is
relevant to the organization.
Take an interest in them as a person. Give recognition in a form that
matters to the individual. Consider new and innovative approaches
that are motivational to the individual.
Be their role model they measure others on what they do.
Set up reverse mentoring where knowledge flows both ways. Let the
older share their experiences and expertise while Gen Y provide
insights into engaging with their generation and the new times.
Given their strong relationship ethic, Gen Ys are collaborative
learners, enjoy working in teams, and thrive in a relaxed consensus-
driven group.
Provide opportunities to try new skills and take on new assignments
in a protected environment.
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Country Overview
The People
Nationality:
Noun: Australian(s)
Adjective: Australian
Population:
22,992,654 (July 2016 est.)
Ethnic groups:
English 25.9%, Australian 25.4%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 6.4%, Italian 3.3%,
German 3.2%, Chinese 3.1%, Indian 1.4%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.2%, other
15.8% (includes Australian aboriginal .5%), unspecified 5.4%
Religions:
Protestant 30.1% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and
Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%, other
Protestant 1.3%), Catholic 25.3% (Roman Catholic 25.1%, other Catholic
0.2%), other Christian 2.9%, Orthodox 2.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%,
Hindu 1.3%, other 1.3%, none 22.3%, unspecified 9.3% (2011 est.)
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Languages:
English 76.8%, Mandarin 1.6%, Italian 1.4%, Arabic 1.3%, Greek 1.2%,
Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.1%, other 10.4%, unspecified 5% (2011
est.)
Sandwiched between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Australia lies across
the Tropic of Capricorn. The country has relatively flat lands, with the
exception of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, and the Grampians
of Victoria. Australia is the driest continent in the world.
One of the most architecturally distinctive buildings in the city, and indeed
in the world, is the Sydney Opera House, which hosts about 3,000 events
per year.
Government
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Country name:
Government type:
Parliamentary democracy (Federal Parliament) under a constitutional
monarchy; a Commonwealth real
Capital:
Canberra
Independence:
1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)
Legal system:
Common law system based on the English model
Economy
Currency:
Australian dollar (AUD)
Economy - overview:
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Industries
Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing,
chemicals, steel
Exports - partners:
China 23%, US 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 5.1%,
Germany 4.6% (2015)
Department of Treasury
http://www.treasury.gov.au/
Official information from the Commonwealth Department of the Treasury,
Australia.
Department of Finace
http://www.finance.gov.au
Official information from the Department of Finance and Administration.
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Location:
Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Area:
Total: 7,741,220 sq km
Land: 7,682,300 sq km
Water: 58,920 sq km
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
25,760 km
Climate:
Generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain:
Mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
Highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Natural hazards:
Cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Volcanism: Volcanic activity occurs on the Heard and McDonald Islands
Geography - note:
World's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the only continent
without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and
southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle
Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most
consistent winds in the world
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History Overview
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Country Information
Embassies
History
Public Holidays
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Tourist Information
Social Etiquette
Meeting People
The question "How are you?" is rhetorical and the expected response is,
"Fine, thanks." You may also simply ask the question in return rather than
giving a response.
Naming Conventions
Aussies often use first names, even the first time they meet
someone.
If in doubt as to the correct protocol, use the same name that was
used during introductions.
Whether or not a woman adopts her husband's surname upon
marriage is a personal decision rather than a cultural nuance.
Some women continue to use their maiden name at work and adopt
their husband's surname in other situations.
Gift Giving
Here are some general gift giving guidelines (but also check to be sure
they are permitted under company policy):
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Entertaining
You will often be told to make yourself at home, which is meant quite
literally. You may be told where things are and be expected to serve
yourself. Sitting back and waiting for someone to serve you may be
interpreted as thinking that you are superior a negative in egalitarian
Australia.
Table Manners
Australians are very casual and this is seen in their table manners. The
more formal the occasion, the more strict the protocol. When in doubt,
watch what others are doing and emulate their behavior.
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Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and
the knife in the right while eating.
Australians are quite accepting of different types of table manners.
Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when
eating.
At a barbeque, guests are expected to help themselves.
It is impolite to use salt or pepper without first tasting the food.
Portion sizes can be quite generous.
Wait until everyone has been served before eating.
At formal meals, wait for the host to start eating or until you are
invited to begin.
Indicate that you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork
parallel on your plate.
Toasting
Dining Out
Tipping is becoming more prevalent, especially in more sophisticated
restaurants. If a restaurant does not add a service charge, a tip of 10% is
given for good service. The GST included in bills is a goods and services
tax rather than a service charge. Tips are generally expected when there is
a group dining.
Tipping
The following tipping hints are guidelines. You can find more explicit
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Approach to Time
Most Australians think time is something you can control. Since time can
be controlled, they prefer that business not interfere with social time. This
does not mean that Australians won't work to finish a job, simply that they
will generally be unwilling to give up their weekend or holiday time for their
job.
In social situations, guests are expected to arrive close to the time invited.
Arriving late is considered rude as is arriving before the stipulated time.
Sporting events start on time as do plays, operas, and other social
activities.
Conversation Topics
Aussies enjoy arguing and debating. They will gladly listen to your point of
view and play devil's advocate for enjoyment.
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Australians are more direct than people from many other cultures. As such,
they will ask personal questions in an attempt to get to know someone
better. They will generally not, however, ask questions of a financial nature.
Australians do not use a lot of hand gestures, and enjoy quite a bit of
personal space. People usually speak at an arms distance, and getting too
close could be misconstrued.
Other Situations
Queuing for the bus, train, and taxi are the norm. Do not jump the queue.
When riding in a taxi, it is customary for men to sit in the front with the
driver. A woman traveling alone should sit in the back left passenger seat
of the car; the driver will be on the right.
Faux Pas
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Communication
Communication Essentials
If you come from a culture where communication is more indirect, you may
have difficulty with the brevity and lack of context provided in Australian
communication. This is a culture where what you say will be taken literally,
so it is important to speak plainly.
Direct questions are common and are not meant to be offensive. If you do
not understand something, you are expected to ask for clarification. Do not
expect the Australian to notice your non-verbal language and provide an
expanded explanation.
For the most part, Australians strive to maintain a cheerful demeanor. They
expect people to keep their problems to themselves. If you are having a
difficulty with an Australian in a business situation, the matter should be
discussed in private.
Australians do not trust people who give excessive praise. They expect
that others are doing their best. If you offer praise too frequently, they may
think that your compliments are a precursor to being given false
information. They value frank, straightforward, and concise speech.
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At times, Australians may use language that is more colorful than you are
accustomed to hearing. This is not meant as an insult. Rather, it is their
way of demonstrating their sense of egalitarianism.
Key Words/Phrases
Australia is extremely diverse: less than 80 percent of the population speak
English as a first language. However, English is usually used in business.
Australian English, or Strine, differs from other dialects mainly in its
vocabulary. The following are some Strine words or phrases that you may
encounter.
English Strine
Hello G'day
Afternoon Avo
Chicken Chook
Sick Crook
Cooler Eskie
Buy a round of drinks Shout
Lose your temper Spit the dummy
Lose control Throw a wobbly
Using Translators
When you select a translator, be sure to develop an early understanding of
what you expectspecifically. Be clear that the translation must be exact,
rather than what the translator thinks each party wants to hear.
Non-Verbal Language
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Smiling is also an important non-verbal cue that you are listening and
enjoying the conversation.
For the most part, Australians are not tactile communicators. They do not
touch someone's arm. If you put your arm around an Australian's shoulder
when speaking, the person may feel that their personal space has been
invaded. If you are from a more demonstrative culture, you may find that
your Australian associates "freeze up" if you touch them while speaking.
Although female friends may hug or kiss when greeting, this is not the case
with men, regardless of the depth of the relationship. Men may kiss or hug
a woman with whom they have a personal relationship.
Letters / Email
While in many respects Australia is an informal country, it retains some
vestiges of formality. Letters should be addressed using the persons
honorific title and their surname, unless you have a personal relationship. If
you dont know the persons name, "Dear Sir / Madam" is appropriate.
Language should be formal and polite. The proper way to close a letter
depends upon how well you know the person. The most common ending
for a business letter to someone with whom you dont have a personal
relationship is "Yours Faithfully" or "Yours Sincerely". If you know the
person well, you might close the letter with "Kind Regards".
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less formal than a letter, although it is still common to start with a greeting
(Hi or Hello plus the persons name), and close with Regards, Kind
Regards, or the more informal "Cheers".
Telephone
Australia is an informal society, so expect to be on first names terms with
everyone except the most senior members of an organization. When in
doubt, err on the side of formality and address the person using their
honorific title and surname unless you have previously been asked to use
their first name.
Presentations
Handouts:
Presentation Slides/PowerPoint:
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Audience:
Presenter:
Focus on the benefits your product or service has for the audience.
Present your business case with facts and figures; emotions and
feelings are not part of the business culture.
Limit the presentation to three key messages. For each key
message, prepare a memorable anecdote or story.
Presentations should be well-organized, succinct and to the point.
Presentations should be straightforward and emphasize both the
positive and negative aspects of the business case.
Digressions or excessive details are not appreciated.
Australians prefer "substance over style". Be ready to put the visual
aids aside and discuss the substance of the presentation if that is
preferable to the audience.
When presenting a new concept, provide some brief historical data,
testimonials and references.
Draw parallels with the familiar to facilitate understanding complex
ideas.
Emphasize details and explain the practical implications of your
information.
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Date/Time
Date
In Australia, dates are generally written in the day, month and year format
with periods or slashes between each number. If the day or month is less
than 10, including leading zeroes is optional. The year may be written in
two or four digits. Example: July 9, 2011 would be written 09.07.11 or
09/07/2011.
To ensure there is no confusion, you may want to spell out the name of the
month. This leaves no ambiguity as to what is the day and what is the
month.
Time
The 24-hour clock is a timekeeping convention where the time of a day is
the number of hours since midnight. The 12-hour clock divides the day into
two periods (midnight to noon and noon to midnight), each with 12 hours.
Thus, 2 o'clock in the afternoon would be 14:00 in the 24-hour clock.
Australians use the 24-hour clock in the defense industry and some airline
and train schedules. Most Australians use the 12-hour clock when
speaking and writing with the a.m./p.m. designation to denote day or night.
Internet
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Newspapers
Postal Services
Business Protocol
Business Cards
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Business Attire
Gifts
Here are some general gift giving guidelines (but also check to be sure
they comply with company policy):
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Business Entertaining
Business Hours
Business Meetings
Meeting Essentials
Scheduling Meetings
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Christmas and Easter are not the best times to schedule business
meetings since many businesspeople take vacation during these times.
Agendas
For all but the most informal meetings, there will be an agenda, which
has been agreed to and perhaps circulated in advance.
The intent is to address items in order with little discussion of items
not related to the business discussion.
If something important arises as a result of the business discussion, it
will be discussed. The item will not be held over for another meeting.
Conducting Meetings
For the most part, Australians have a direct communication style. They
expect you to mean what you say and say what you mean. Therefore, it is
important not to make promises that you cannot keep. Your colleagues will
tell you what they think rather than what you want to hear. They are
generally comfortable giving a negative response. Australians tend to put
directness before diplomacy, which can make them appear blunt to people
from cultures where communication is more indirect.
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Due to the great distances between their country and others, Australians
tend to be more reliant on technology in business than many other
countries. They may use video conferencing or telephone conference calls
in lieu of face-to-face meetings.
Management Styles
Relationships
Since the population is relatively small given the size of the country and
most large businesses operate out of key cities, senior-level executives
within an industry generally know one another. These relationships may
not be as formalized as the "Old School" network and are becoming less
important as more women and immigrants move up the career ladder. For
the most part, people strive to develop harmonious working relationships
since they never know when they will have to work with that person again.
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once was, many Aussies remain cynical about others who come across as
snobs or impressed with themselves.
There is a marked tendency for Aussies to poke fun at or tease people with
whom they have a relationship. If they begin to tease you, it means your
relationship has moved beyond superficial. Feel free to tease them back in
a jovial manner.
Management Essentials
If you were to think about the most important cultural attributes that you will
see operating in business in Australia, they would be:
Egalitarianism
Achievement orientation
Direct communication
Controlled time
For the most part, Australians appear superficially friendly and somewhat
relaxed. This does not mean that they don't pay attention to details or drive
a hard bargain; merely that they work to live rather than live to work.
Risk Tolerance
Australians tend to be flexible, which means that they can have a high
tolerance for risk and can be receptive to change. Organizations and
individuals are predisposed to risk, because there are rewards for risk
takers who succeed and significant tolerance for those who do not. Failure
is often viewed as a necessary step in the learning process.
Underlying this readiness for risk and change is a generally optimistic and
positive mindset, which believes that hard work and innovation will bring a
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Plans are created and followed, but they are often modified and adjusted
due to unanticipated events or changes in the environment. This can be
particularly off-putting to individuals from cultures who have been trained to
adhere to plans and weigh the risks before embracing the opportunity.
At the same time, they do not see any process or procedure as sacred and
believe that most processes can be improved upon. Since they live in the
here and now, they are less interested in maintaining a certain way of
doing something simply because it has historically been done that way.
Generation X employees are more concerned with working smart than with
working hard. If there is a shortcut that can be taken or a way to streamline
a process, they will find it. To older generations, this often appears as a
desire for change for its own sake, without understanding the ramifications
or why certain steps are necessary. Therefore, it is important to provide
context to guide the employee.
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For the most part, Australians prefer to complete a project before beginning
another. They do not value multi-tasking the way many other cultures do.
When working on a deadline, they may devote their entire workday to the
project until it is completed.
Decision Making
Company Structure
Company structures are somewhat flat and not very hierarchical. Most
organizations are headed by a Managing Director and some employees
have more status than others. At the same time, due to the belief that
everyone has something to offer, the management style tends to be
collaborative and participative.
Managing Employees
Australian managers do not see themselves as superior to their
subordinates. Instead, most adopt a consultative management style. There
is no doubt about who is the boss; however, Australians don't believe this
makes them superior to other employees. In fact, many claim the linchpin
of Australian management is fellowship or leading by walking alongside.
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All three generations want to be engaged at work; both Gen X and Y also
seek autonomy in their role and tasks. Gen Ys also expect to be
recognized when they did their job well.
Explain how their role fits into the organization so the employee
understands how their contribution matters.
When delegating routine and mundane tasks, explain how this task is
relevant to the organization.
Be their role model they measure others on what they do.
Set up reverse mentoring where knowledge flows both ways. Let the
older share their experiences and expertise while Gen Y provide
insights into engaging with their generation and the new times.
Provide opportunities to try new skills and take on new assignments
in a protected environment.
Provide frequent feedback. When offering constructive criticism, start
with something positive.
Communicate expectations clearly.
Provide clear deadlines and follow-up promptly if one is missed.
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Decision Making
When making a decision, rules and company policy are more important
than the decision maker's personal feelings or sentiments.
Decision making is not reserved for those at the top of the organization.
Lower level employees often have a considerable amount of decision
making authority.
Gen Ys are not attuned to hierarchical structures. Since they were given
leadership opportunities during their education and were encouraged to
challenge each others decisions, they expect to have input into decision-
making processes.
Team Focus
Australians work best in teams when they are able to develop a bond with
their team members. Mutual trust and respect are tantamount to a teams
success since the team is often more highly motivated to work together if
they feel that each member is working to the best of their ability.
The team leader is also a valuable team member. It would be difficult for
leaders to be effective if they saw themselves as more important than the
group. A more appropriate viewpoint would be first among equals as this
reinforces the egalitarian nature of the culture.
Team members are expected to contribute ideas and thoughts openly and
succinctly. Each member is expected to voice their opinion, since
consensus is viewed as the optimal way to reach a decision. The leader is
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Praise should be given to the entire group rather than to individuals. Even
then it should be used sparingly. In this egalitarian culture, there is a
tendency to be suspicious of excessive praise.
Negotiations
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Moving There
Customs Regulations
Entry Requirements
Getting Around
Getting There
Emergency Numbers
Emergency Numbers
To reach emergency services from a local phone, dial:
Emergency Numbers
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Emergency Numbers
To reach emergency services from a local phone, dial:
Safety Precautions
Before You Go
Take time to get all of your financial and personal records in order,
including preparing a will.
Talk with a trusted family member or friend about what types of
emergencies might arise in your absence, and what to do in those
events.
Think about the small (and large) disasters that could occur at home
during your absence and be sure there is someone prepared to assist
you.
Make copies of all of your travel documents (including detailed
itinerary with contact numbers) and be sure two people have easy
access to them.
Do the same with crucial health documentation.
Be sure someone knows where you will be and how to contact you in
emergencies at all times.
Find out the services your company offers to you in case of
emergency; obtain and make several copies of important emergency
company contact numbers to keep and give to all members of your
family who might need them.
Be sure you have enough of your prescription medication so you are
all right if you cannot get a refill right away; take an extra pair of
glasses if you wear them.
In-Country
So many variables go into being safe, and many of them revolve around
understanding the specifics of where you are. Be sure to learn details of
your location -- how to dress, where you can go and where to avoid, how to
act in public, how to carry yourself, and who to be watchful of.
Seek information from cultural experts and local nationals whom you have
confidence in. When in comes to your safety, dont be afraid to ask.
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Hotel Safety
Travel Tips
Crowded Situations
Learn about your host country and culture. This is not only wise for
business and social purposes, but is extremely important so you can
understand what may be offensive or negligent behavior.
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The more you know about your location, the safer youll be; certainly
understand written and unwritten laws and codes of conduct.
Use your Embassy. These people are here to help you.
Embassies Around the World
Even if you are living in a relatively safe country, always be sure that
close family or friends have accurate contact information so they can
find you quickly.
For helpful information: Helpful Tips
If you are living in a high-risk location, your company should have
guidelines for your safety. Be sure you have 24-hour hotline numbers
and appropriate contacts who can assist you.
No matter where you livehigh risk or low risk countriestodays
world is volatile, and you never know when a potentially dangerous
situation can develop. Keep informednot only with your countrys
published data and warnings, but by identifying sources of local
news, reading local papers and telling your local friends to keep you
informed.
Emergencies
Security Issues
Clearly the length of time you spend and the geographic and political
profile of the countries youre living in--or traveling to--will make a
difference in your level of preparedness. Nonetheless, practicing common
sense based upon knowledge of your location will help you. Dont
underplay the importance of understanding what is culturally
appropriateit may help you avoid some difficult situations. With the
exception of the emergency telephone numbers, this information is
compiled for travelers in general and will apply in varying degrees to your
destination and personal situation. Always check to see what services your
company may offer to you.
Emergencies
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Be sure you know how to call for help in an emergency. You may need to
reach the police, fire and other emergency personnel. Be sure you know
the words to use in the local language.
En Route
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Settling In
Accommodation
Arrival Procedures
Conversions
Eating Out
Entertainment
Family Corner
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Media
Nightlife
Shopping
Social Clubs
Sports
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