Global Workers Seek Etiquette Training

As more companies go global, workers say they could use lessons in cross-cultural relations.

 

As more businesses go global, a growing number of executives and administrative workers say they would benefit from international etiquette lessons to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings.

In a recent survey by OfficeTeam, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing firm, nearly a half of almost 600 business professionals said they would benefit somewhat from an international business etiquette course. Up to 16 percent of executives and 42 percent of administrative workers said the training would be of great help.

"A growing number of companies train their executives on the professional protocol of the countries in which they are doing business," Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam, said in a statement. "Administrative staff can similarly benefit from this type of learning because they are often a first point of contact for international colleagues and business partners," he said.

Willmer added that cultural misunderstandings can damage business relationships.

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