International Negotiations

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International Negotiations
Singapore
Presented by John Koh JAIMS, Hawaii May 2, 2000
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Country Statistics
Population of Singapore 3.8 million
Religions Buddhism 28 Christanity 19 Islam
16 Taoism 13 Hinduism 5 Others 19
Racial Mix
Official Languages
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Shared Values
To nurture a multiethnic, multilingual society
sharing a common sense of citizenship
Nation before community and society above
self Family as the basic unit of
society Community support and respect for the
individual Consensus, not conflict Racial and
religious harmony
Excellence, Hard Work Honesty with Strong
Emphasis on Education
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Helpful Tips
Niceties, such as how to shake hands, not
crossing your legs, and so on, are far less
important than the deeper cultural beliefs such
as face saving and building trust. People
understand that you dont necessarily know their
customs just as they dont understand yours, so
Dont Worry!
Even within the same culture, business practices
can vary by region or according to the individual
negotiators personality or background.
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General Negotiation Styles
Maintain harmony - this means Good Service
too! Avoid confrontation - always be
well-mannered Build relationships - to get inside
information Sense of time - always be
punctual Reaching an agreement - if possible,
win-win Personal favors, but No Corruption
please! (can be fined heavily and/or canned like
Michael -))
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General Negotiation Styles
Always be well prepared with the most updated
information on contractual terms, conditions, and
sales quotations, as Singaporean business people
tend to be meticulous and shrewd. Questions
can sometimes be direct and straightforward, so
Dont Be Surprised! Essential qualities of a
good negotiator Always maintain Humility,
Friendliness, and Cooperation.
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Lastly, some wise man said...
"To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals
courtesy, to inferiors nobleness." (Ben Franklin)