Working with Americans: How to build profitable business relationships

Product Author Bios

Allyson Stewart-Allen is an American (Californian!) based in Europe for the past 2 decades, from where she advises a broad range of companies and industries – from professional sports teams to legal services – wanting to build their US presence and profits. Before establishing and running her Los Angeles and London-based consulting firm, International Marketing Partners, she was a marketing consultant with PwC, PA Consulting Group and Hay Management Consultants after earning her MBA under the direct tutelage of Dr. Peter Drucker at Claremont Graduate University. Allyson appears regularly as a marketing expert on CNN International, is regularly quoted in The Wall St. Journal Europe amongst other publications, and has a regular column in Market Leader and Marketing News magazines. She is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences around the globe. You can contact Allyson on allyson@workingwithamericans.com

Lanie Denslow is an innovative Californian, with a strong retailing and marketing background. She is International Director of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, a private college headquartered in Los Angeles. In addition, she founded World Wise Intercultural Training and Resources, to provide business professionals with seminars and customized programme to enable professionals conduct business effectively in and outside their home countries. Lanie has an MBA and a Masters of International Business from Pepperdine University. She has lived in France, is fluent in French and works regularly in Europe. You can contact Lanie on lanie@workingwithamericans.com

Anybody who has ever done business with Americans can testify that there are more differences than similarities between Americans and most business cultures in the rest of the world. There are differences in cultures, values, etiquette and even ‘common’ business language – which is quite often, well, uncommon.

When it comes to building relationships and doing business deals with Americans, understanding and appreciating these behaviors, culture and business manners is vital to success. Everybody wants to work with people they relate to, who they believe they can trust -- and ultimately who ‘speak my language’.

Working with Americans not only illuminates why Americans think and operate as they do, but also shows what you can do to play to your US colleagues’ preferences and business practices.

This is the guide to understanding Americans in business, their culture and thinking  which will make you a more informed and confident manager and envoy. With confidence enhanced, you can be more relaxed, have fun, and focus on building lasting, profitable relationships.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
I. BACKGROUND
1. The tea party and the great frontier
2. Open space (we've got lots) or bigger is better
3. We the people
4. Everyone knows
II. FOUNDATIONS
1. Do it now
2. Who's the boss
3. I'll do it myself
4. Hi, my name is Jason
5. Send me a memo
III. BUSINESS
1. It it's new, it's great: innovation and entrepreneurship
2. Professional advisers
3. Fight or flight
4. Let's make a plan
5. Who are they? American Corporate culture
IV. CREATING CONNECTIONS

1. How about those Mets
2. Let's do lunch
3. What did you say?
4. You look wonderful darling
5. Suggested reading

V. SUMMARY
Index