It showcases the importance of diversity in the work place, and its major effect on the different business etiquettes dealing with different countries from the different parts of the world.

1. Cultural Diversity Prepared by: Sahar Consulting For L.A.W.A

2. LAX Destinations 1

3. LAX Destinations 2

4. LAX Destinations 3

5. Diversity Advances in technology and the advent of a global economy bring the people of the world closer together than ever before Diversity is considered to be inclusive of everyone It is about learning from others who are not the same, about dignity and respect for all, and about creating environments and practices that encourage learning from others and capture the advantage of diverse perspectives

6. What is Diversity "Diversity includes all characteristics and experiences that define each of us as individuals.“ It is an entire spectrum of dimensions of an individual, including Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Religion, Disability, and Sexual orientation, communication style, work style, organizational role/level, economic status, and geographic origin. Diversity should be viewed as a business opportunity

7. What is Diversity Building upon differences among team members can strengthen the bonds formed with clients and customers throughout the world. Ethnicdiversity in the workplace enables businesses to serve a broader base of clients with ease. Diversity can also be grounds for making wrong assumptions about another person’s culture and commit to grave mistakes that could be avoided provided knowing these differences beforehand

12. Business Structure

13. Management Style

14. Teams/ Meetings

15. Dress Code

16. Communications

17. Interacting/ Entertaining/ Gift Giving

18. Women in business

20. Traditions

21. Social Culture

22. Dress Codes

23. CommunicationsDepending on their geographical locations as follows

25. Israel

26. Jordan

27. Lebanon

29. Egypt

30. Lybia

31. Morocco

33. Iran

34. Kuwait

35. Oman

36. Qatar

37. Saudia Arabia

38. U.A.E.Done by Alphabetical order

40. Shake hand of the woman, unless she offers her hand and Vice-versa

42. Always negotiate and be patient, time pressure and agreed deadlines doesn’t mean anything fixed

43. Consider deal as closed once it is signed black on white on the paper (In some areas verbal agreements are as good as written ones)

44. Respect elders and senior people to you

46. Executives, local owners are part of the family and don’t spend much time in the office – they have more of the representative function

47. Nepotism is looked at favorably because of family ties

48. Friday, Saturday are weekend days

49. Social connections are often more important than business relationship or expertise

50. During Ramadan fasting don’t touch (handshake) the man, when you are woman, be ready to have late night meetings during Ramadan

51. Use only right hand when eating without cutlery

52. Question: “How is family doing” is very commonCommon salutations in the whole Middle East: “Assallam-u Aleikum”, except in Israel it is “Shalom” and they mean the same: Peace

54. Decision making levels

56. Age importance – seniority factor

58. Religious influence in daily life

59. Meeting & Corporate cultureCultural Idendity Being aware of cultural diversities, knowing how to deal with shows respect and creates an ambiance of trust which is crucial to do business in the Middle East Core Values Customs & Traditions Diversity is more than tolerating differences, it is respecting, appreciating and understanding the different characteristics of different cultures

61. Middle East can not be discussed in a cultural sense without mentioning Islam. Islam permeates all levels of society. It provides guidance, values and rules for personal life, community relations and ways of doing business.

63. The traditional Islamic greeting is 'Asalamualaykum' (peace be with you). As a non-Muslim you would not be expected to use it, but if you did you would receive the reply 'waalaykumsalam' (and peace be with you).

64. Handshakes are always used and can last a long time. Islamic etiquette recommends that one waits for the other to withdraw their hand first before doing the same.

65. Always use the right hand.

67. A male should wait and see if she extends her hand first

68. Avoid touching and prolonged eye contact with women

69. In certain countries do not ask about any female colleague/ relative/ spouse etc…

70. A big percentage of the women in the M.E. are veiled.

71. Western women should wear conservative business suits preferably skirt suits below the knee never above it, cover most of the arms, and neck

73. Doing favors is very common, never forgotten and always reciprocated

74. Value on someone's word is greater than a written agreement. A person's word is connected to their honor. Contracts are considered only as MOUs . Be sure to promise only things you can deliver. Failure to do so will result in loss of honor/ face

76. Initial meetings are all about relationship building. Building trust and compatibility which are key factors. Meetings can be chaotic, no agenda is followed. Be prepared to exercise patience. Phone calls are taken, people bulge in and discuss their issues.

77. Punctuality is not really observed in the M.E. fashionably late is acceptable

78. Middle Easterns are traders and very good negotiators. Use of high pressure tactics will be counter-productive.

79. Decisions are mad every slowly- Patience is required

81. People do not like to say ‘no’ or deliver negative news

82. Management style is directional and employees expect managers to lead in a fairly authoritative manner. This can mean that instructions are given in a very direct, even abrupt way.

83. When in meetings, avoid pointing the soles of your shoes at your counter parties as this could be seen as rude. It is also best to pass any documents, refreshments etc. with your right hand.

84. Accept coffee/ tea when presented if not you will be considered rude

86. Role of women

87. Entertaining

88. Languages used

89. Traditions and culture

90. Different dress codes

91. Family importance

92. Corporate Cultures

93. Degree of influence of religion and past colonies

95. First meeting dress conservatively then you can dress casually once the relationship is built

96. Israelis are a very close, touchy, feely society - as in a close family, but they usually don’t shake hands so don’t be offended

97. Maintain direct eye contact, personal space is not observed

98. Use their first name, they might call you “Mr.” ask them to call you by your first name

99. Don’t plan any business on Friday/ Saturday : It is Shabbath

100. Israelis are ready for immediate action, wanting things now

102. Contracts are crucial to agreements, verbal is not enough

103. Israelis are Kosher i.e. they don’t eat pork

104. Meetings are informal and can be interrupted by phone calls

105. Emotions and loud voices can be used in meetings just a show of interest

106. Do not speak about Israel government, politics or religious issues. If they bring it up - be a good listener!