Suggested Reading/Videos/Links

Films for Humanities & Sciences

For more than 25 years, Films for the Humanities & Sciences has been providing educators with the finest in educational media.

Our editorial board chooses each program on the basis of the importance of its subject, the quality of its production, and its relevance as an instructional aid. The result is a collection of the best work of the world’s preeminent filmmakers.

Our more than 7,000 videos, CD-ROMs, and videodiscs cover a broad range of subject areas appropriate for schools, colleges, and public libraries. Nowhere else will you find both the breadth and the depth represented in this collection—and these programs are available with public performance rights only from Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

Visit Our Web Site: Films For Humanities & Sciences

Contact:

Films for the Humanities & Sciences
P.O. Box 2053
Princeton , NJ · 08543-2053
Phone: 800.257.5126 or 609.419.8000
Fax: 609.275.3767
Email: custserv@films.com

To order or for questions call 1-800-233-9910

Competing in a Global Environment -- This video describes the differences between domestic and international business. It discusses the economic rationales for international trade, considers the unique aspects of international business, and outlines approaches to operating in international markets.

International Marketing: Competing in a Global Environment -- Exploring the growing complexity of marketing on a global scale, this video examines key challenges faced by corporations that sell their products and services in numerous countries with diverse and unique cultures.  

Houses two videos of international interest:

• "Monsoon Wedding"- This is a video on cultural traits in India.
• "Mao's Red Suit"- This is a video on how to start a business in China.

Evaluating International Markets -- This video discusses the importance of capitalizing on informational resources when targeting overseas markets. It explains how to use research to identify optimal markets, how to determine the relative values of direct and indirect marketing approaches, and how to refine promotional methods.

The Challenge of Business on an International Scale -- In this video, viewers learn about the scope and importance of international trade. The program explains balance of trade, balance of payments, exchange rate, and absolute and comparative advantage. It also covers barriers to international trade and discusses conflicts that often arises between an international business and its host and home countries.

Spyglasspoint – http://www.spyglasspoint.com/

A bi-monthly e-zine of tips, strategies and opportunities for the new global trader.

“WHEN IN ROME: FIVE SUREFIRE TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING OVER INTERNATIONAL BORDERS”

By Priscilla Richardson

The following excerpt is taken from an article that ran in the August, 1998, issue of Successful Meetings Magazine http://www.successmtgs.com

You're setting up hotel reservations for your convention at an exotic foreign resort when you hear about a flood there along with some deaths resulting from polluted drinking water. You fax or e-mail the hotel manager immediately, saying (choose one):

• A.  “I just heard about all the people in your town killed by the water pollution.”
• B.  “We're concerned about the terrible water pollution problem in your town.”
• C.  “What plans do you have for providing safe drinking water during our visit?”

If you want a successful meeting, you choose "c." Hotel managers know what is going on in their towns. Treating the potential problem as a fact, when it might or might not be, insults both the manager's town and the hotel. Even if you know for sure that the drinking water killed those people, you don't need to rub it in. Instead, get right to what it is you need – assurance of a safe water supply. Without putting down anyone or anyplace, you're asking for what you must have – safe water.

Unintentional insults to a foreign business person are just one of the many pitfalls of communicating international borders.  There are entire books on how to communication internationally.   But if communication across borders, either in writing or in speech, is only an occasional event for you, here are some guidelines.

Practice respect. Find out what title your correspondent goes by and use it.   Most foreigners haven't yet caught the American "first names only" disease.  If you don't know the holidays observed in the country you're dealing with, ask about them. Your correspondent will be pleased, and you'll have the information you need to incorporate the holidays into your plans or to plan around them.

Simply remember the "Use SWISS cheese rule." The “SWISS” rule (Short Words In Short Sentences) will serve you well in writing for any audience whether here or in another country. Following the rule lets you avoid pomposity and pretension (Example:  When you say "help me" instead of “lend me your assistance”). This shortness rule goes for paragraphs, too.

Our everyday slang isn't in their dictionaries yet, so don't use it. A foreigner may have lived or visited in the United States and know some of the slang terms we take for granted, but you can't count on it. Always use standard English words and phrases. Remember, too, to speak more slowly on the telephone than you normally do. This makes it easier for the normative speaker to keep up with you.

Avoid any expression not literally true, with great emphasis on” literally." In a translation gaffe so bad it hit the front page of The Wall Street Journal, the phrase "out of sight, out of mind" came out in Japanese as "invisible, insane".  Classic idioms that native English speakers understand immediately just don't resonate over borders. You'll have to work hard to dig them out of your communications because we take them so much for granted.

Try to use literal, unimaginative language in simple sentences no matter how inelegant it may sound. Elegance, like poetry, does not translate well except in the hands of the truly gifted. Meaning can and does translate no matter how mediocre the translation. These tips will take you a great way toward smooth written and oral communications across language borders. Remember that a compliment pleases and helps ease your way, too.

Author Information and Free Book Downloads -- www.realliteraturedir.com

Author biographies and information on authors - our site is the Reader's Ultimate Resource for Published Authors.  Get the alphabetical list of authors -- see the biography picture and read literary work of the eminent authors by clicking on their name.

New York Times International News: http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/world 

CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/INDEX/languages/ – International News:

ISyndicate World News: http://www.isyndicate.com/directory/categories/all/top_news:world.html

Ultimate Collection of International News Links: http://pppp.net/links/news/