INDIAN CULTURE AND

BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIPS

India is the cradle of the human race, the

birthplace of human speech, the mother of
history, the grandmother of legend, and the
great grandmother of tradition. Our most
valuable and most astrictive materials in the
history of man are treasured up in India
only!
-Mark Twain

GEERT HOFSTEDE MODEL

FOR ANALYSIS

Power distance

Individualism versus Collectivism

Masculinity versus Femininity
Uncertainty avoidance
Long term versus short term orientation

WHERE CAN YOU EXPECT

CULTURAL SHOCKS?

Indian workplace

Language barrier
Meeting and greeting
Food and drinks
Literacy rate
Religion

COMMUNICATION INDIRECT Vs. DIRECT

Indian communication Indirect
Directness is considered rude
Message - tone, body language, past history
and context
Communicate with respect

BUSINESS CULTURE

Hospitality
Relationships and feelings
Polychronic people
Inductive approach
Cautious in accepting a new idea
Bargaining
Expressing disagreements
Decision making process

MEETINGS AND
NEGOTIATION
Flexible time of meetings
Business dealing with negotiations can be
slow
Intuition, feeling and faith for decision making
Exercise patience
Avoid refusing food or drinks

BUILDING TRUST

Built on two foundations:

Business level
Personal level

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Attire

Gestures and body language

Expressing religious affinity
Superstitious?

OTHER IMPORTANT
ASPECTS

Celebration and festivals

Dressing
Living with parents
Child labour
Dowry system
Bribery
Unity in Diversity?
Political Influence

OTHER IMPORTANT
ASPECTS

Low divorce rate

Female foeticide
Women Emplowerment
Revealing the feelings
Nepotism
Castes
Heritage
Indianised Westernisation Few Living
together, Party Culture

Thank You