Business
2022 Guide to Business Etiquette in Thailand
Every country is different in how social relationships are built and function. Whether you are working with a simple business like food vendors, or a niche one like concrete estimating, having a knowledge of that business’ differing customs is essential. As a person working in business in Thailand, you need to understand such cultural differences and be able to present yourself correctly in the right environment
Thailand is no different. It has a unique society with customs and traditions in line with other Asian countries surrounding it. Yet, Thailand still has its own unique traits. Hence, here is the ultimate guide to business etiquette in Thailand.
Overview of Business Etiquette in Thailand
Compared to many other countries, Thailand has a very relaxed culture. In other words, people will often be more direct about asking you questions, even if they may seem personal to you. This is a way to get to know you better; in return, they will be open and upfront with you when you ask them questions. This openness is essential for building strong and long-lasting business relationships.
Thai people prefer to develop business relationships after first establishing a personal relationship with you. They want to trust you and expect you to trust them too. This is why your first meetings could be arranged in a friendly setting where you talk, eat, and even enjoy entertainment. Talk about the things they are interested in and show your own interest in them. Be a sociable and friendly person. In addition to that, here are some more tips:
- Small gestures like simple courtesies and giving gifts are quite appreciated. Hold doors, offer drinks, and bring a token gift to your first meeting.
- Use both hands to show respect when giving gifts or handing over things.
- Don’t touch their head or hair, and don’t pass objects over their heads. The head is considered sacred, so such actions disrespect the Thai people.
- Respect Thai people’s Buddhist religion – don’t take selfies with Buddhist statues, respect religious holidays and objects, etc.
- Eat with your spoon rather than your fork.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy in Thailand creates the structure on which all relationships are built – both personal and professional. This is why you should respect a person appropriately based on their status. Thai people usually ask several questions to understand where someone stands in the hierarchy. These questions may seem too personal, but this is just a way for Thai people to get to know you better.
Because of the hierarchy that is so fundamental to Thai society, relationships are critical for Thai people. To do business successfully, you must develop and invest in such situations. You need to be present personally and engaged in all meetings. Video conferences are not an option. The best option is to go out together for meals to get to know each other better. Instead of getting straight to the point, you must enjoy yourselves together first and establish a personal connection with your business partners.
Greeting
In Thailand, the so-called wai is a traditional Thai greeting. You must raise your hands in a praying position and bow your head slightly for this greeting. The wai greeting can also help you show a specific amount of respect. By raising your hands and bowing your head lower, you can show more respect to the person you greet. Likewise, Thai people will use this greeting to show respect to you.
Usually, the junior person offers the wai greeting and the senior response. You should wait because you are a foreigner instead of initiating the wai greeting yourself. See what greeting you are offered, and then respond accordingly. By the way, you can also smile and nod slightly when performing the wai greeting. This will show an additional degree of respect.
Business Cards
If you don’t want to answer many questions that Thai people will likely ask you to place you in the hierarchy, you can simply prepare a business card. Business cards are very common in the West but aren’t as popular in Thailand. That being said, they are still helpful as a means of introducing yourself. Moreover, because of their rarity, they are treated with more significance and are seen as an extension of the person offering them.
As mentioned earlier, you must use both hands when handing over things – this rule also applies to business cards. If you have bilingual cards, offer them with the Thai face up and the writing facing the person you are giving it to. When receiving a card, take it with both hands, look at it for a moment, and make a positive comment about it. All of this is a way to show politeness and respect.
Communication
Speaking of politeness is one of Thailand’s most essential elements of communication customs. You must be courteous, polite, and friendly at all times. Avoid being inconsiderate or rude, even unintentionally. Don’t show anger or criticize other people publicly. Try to be modest and respectful of others. If you embarrass yourself or do something awkward, smile and laugh it off. If people around you are laughing for no reason, switching the subject is best.
You can use the term Khun when addressing someone – it is equivalent to the English Mr., Mrs., and Miss. Don’t interrupt others; don’t tease or playfully mock those you are talking to. Don’t correct others’ mistakes. If you make a mistake yourself, laugh it off and move on. Avoid saying negative things about Thai politics. Confirm meetings a day prior and show up on time. If you are in Bangkok, be mindful of your time, as traffic can become a real issue.
Dress Code
People in Thailand love dressing in a fashionable and classy way, so make sure to do so yourself. That being said, remain somewhat conservative in your clothing. Men should wear dark suits and ties while women should wear pantsuits, skirts, blouses, and dresses. It is okay to wear jeans with shirts or blouses if you have a casual meeting.
In general, try to stick to darker shades rather than bright colours. However, don’t wear black as it is only worn to funerals. Women can wear more colours but should still avoid red. For fabric, you can try something breathable like cotton or silk as the temperature can become quite high. If it does get too hot, you can take off your jacket and hold it over your shoulders.
Summing Up
To summarize, Thailand is a beautiful country with a unique culture that you must respect and understand. Use this guide to help you do business in Thailand successfully.
About the Author:
Tiffany Porter is an expert writer who creates various training and professional upgrade courses, materials, manuals, and reviews for Best Essays Education websites. She also likes travelling and speaks German and French.
Business
PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.
(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.
This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.
Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.
Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.
The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.
Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.
Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.
The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.
Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.
Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.
Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.
Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.
Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”
Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.
The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.
Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.
The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.
Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”
Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.
The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.
Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.
The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:
SOURCE: CNBC
SEE ALSO:
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
Business
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.
This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.
For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.
This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.
Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”
This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.
This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.
Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.
Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.
Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.
This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.
It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.
Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”
This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.
We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.
Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.
SOURCE: THBL
SEE ALSO:
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children
Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight
Business
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.
According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
SOURCE | AP
-
News3 years ago
Let’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years ago
How Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years ago
Top Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years ago
Aries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years ago
What Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health2 years ago
Can I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years ago
Virtual Numbers: What Are They For?