Oman requires Westerners Essay Example for Free

Oman requires Westerners Essay Carrying out business in Oman requires Westerners to rethink their standard working practices. Simply dispatching the companies most highly qualified and intelligent staff without giving any thought to the wider implications of the character of the individuals is likely to cause the companies presence to fail. Patience and resilience are probably the first two qualities needed alongside professional competence by those being considered for employment in Oman. A willingness to change and adopt a more relaxed approach to local ways and methods is important as Omanis can be almost impossibly frustrating in business negotiations, in timekeeping or when bargaining on price. There are many never dos which may seem trivial but whose result is likely to be out of all proportion. Never lie (or be caught lying) to make a point. This will result in immediate distrust of you and the company. Never patronise or talk down and never show impatience or worse, anger during negotiations. These points will guarantee that you will go no further in that project. But furthermore, as the Omani social network extends in wide and diverse areas, you may find that you are unable to do business anywhere else as well! Equally, you may unknowingly be capitalising on that as well with your good trading practices being passed on. The matter of face and saving face has a great deal of importance when dealing with Omanis. Westerners should be particularly cautious when dealing with a situation which might suggest a fault or limitation, especially if the matter is brought into the public arena such as at an office meeting. Quick offence can be taken and will almost certainly lead to immediate dismissal often from the country on that day! The threat of instant removal from the country should not be discounted as a hyped-up story. It is very real and can be invoked by Omani nationals and lead to you being flown out of the country on the morning or afternoon, that is within a few hours, of the transgression. Lack of time keeping is a major cause of frustration for Westerners. Yet Omanis will always say that they are always available and access to them is simple. Westerners have no concept of the absolute duty that Arabs have towards family situations, which is far greater than those expected in Western societies. A phone call from a brother wanting to see them will take an overriding priority on the day. Unfortunately, a call to reschedule a meeting is unlikely to occur, they will just not appear. The Arab culture is so much different to Western priorities that they just simply cannot comprehend the Western fascination with the minor matter of Time. Patience and plenty of it is an absolute requirement. Another source of irritation is the time it takes to get-to-the-point at meetings, even more so if the point is likely to be contentious or controversial. Arabs will way up the mood and feelings of the decision-makers at the meeting and only bring up unpopular items if the mood is right. They see no point in advertising and bringing up these matters if the influential person or persons are not going to be receptive. Therefore, you may have to await several meetings before an item is discussed. Arabs hate to be the bearer of bad news such as saying no. They will hesitate or defer continually, keeping your hopes alive, when they have no intention of agreeing.