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| » Business Communication |
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| There are many languages in Kenya to speak for business. Although the official languages are Swahili and English, there are actually a total of 62 languages (approx) spoken in the country. The African languages come from three different language families – Bantu languages (spoken in the center and southeast), Nilotic languages (in the west), and Cushitic languages (in the northeast). These mainly consist of tribal African languages as well as a minority of Middle-Eastern and Asian languages spoken by descendants of foreign settlers (i.e. Arabic, Hindi etc). Kenyans are quite conservative in their approach to social customs and etiquette in both the Christian and Muslim sectors of their society. |
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| However, more built-up urban areas such as the country’s capital, Nairobi, tend to be more accepting and lenient towards alternative lifestyles and customs. You should also bear in mind that this is the opposite for the more rural locations. It involves a continued effort to recognize and appreciate your partners’ expectations and business practices. U.S. companies need to research their target country’s holidays, suitable business or formal attire, gift-giving practices, business hours, acceptable subjects of conversation, greeting practices, meeting formalities and acceptable venues, time sensitivities, body language, and other aspects of etiquette. |
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| Loud voices are generally only used during disagreements in business situations, although in rural areas, louder speaking tones are the norm. Showing anger is considered a sign of mental instability. Kenyans pride themselves on their emotional control and expect the same in others. Since maintaining honor and dignity are paramount, Kenyans may offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass the other person. They expect business colleagues and superiors to inquire about their family before beginning a business discussion. |
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| » Business Meeting & Greeting |
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| Generally anyone knows that handshakes are the most common greeting in business. When being introduced to someone for the first time, the handshake is short, while handshakes among people with a personal relationship are longer. Take the time to inquire about the other person’s general well-being, family, and business in general. In Kenya, Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual and present and receive business cards with two hands |
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| Kenyans value tradition, as relationships are important in Kenya, devote time to small talk in order to get to know your hosts and vice-versa. It is a good idea to allow your Kenyan hosts determine when it is time to begin the business discussion. Meetings seldom have scheduled ending times since what matters is finishing the meeting in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. In fact, Kenyans are amused at the concept of an ending time, since they believe the meeting only ends when all parties are finished. |
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| Loud voices are generally only used during disagreements in business situations, although in rural areas, louder speaking tones are the norm. Showing anger is considered a sign of mental instability. Kenyans pride themselves on their emotional control and expect the same in others. Since maintaining honor and dignity are paramount, Kenyans may offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass the other person. They expect business colleagues and superiors to inquire about their family before beginning a business discussion. |
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