Speaking of India: Bridging the Communication Gap When Working with Indians

by Craig Storti, Ranjini Manian (Foreword by)

Overview

"Storti's cultural observations about India are spot on." - Ranjini Manian, CEO, Global Adjustments and author of Doing Business in India for Dummies

Westerners and Indians are working more closely together and in greater numbers than ever before. The opportunities are vast, but so is the cultural divide.

Misunderstandings and frustration due to cultural differences wreak havoc on success. In this revised edition of Speaking of India, author and intercultural communications expert Craig Storti attempts to ease the frustration, and bring cultural understanding in business and life.

With a new foreword by Ranjini Manian, author of Doing Business in India for Dummies, the book also features new content on managing remotely, and the results of a five-year cultural survey. With more than a dozen years of experience working between the two cultures, Storti has identified key cultural flashpoints and the result is a powerful series of Best Practices, which is the basis of Speaking of India.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781941176115
Publisher:	Mobius
Publication date:	10/01/2015
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Craig Storti is founder and co-director of Communicating Across Cultures, a Washington, D.C.-based intercultural communication training and consulting firm. With work appearing in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune, he is the author of six books. Having lived nearly a quarter of his life abroad, he lives now in Maryland. www.craigstorti.com

What People are Saying About This

"I know of no other cross-cultural communication expert who can de-mystify the hidden bulk of a culture's 'iceberg' as cogently as Craig Storti does. As he takes you below, a bright light shines on the hidden values and assumptions that govern not only the way a person from that culture communicates, but often the actual content of his message. Your own culture's unique values and communication style are revealed in the contrast. The more aware both parties become of these pitfalls in communicating across cultures, Storti shows clearly, the lower the risk of miscommunication and strained relationships."
—Jim Blake, World Learning Inc.

"Craig Storti is most famous for his use of cross cultural dialogues to illustrate culture bumps. Having read a lot of his work, I appreciate his great economy of language and overall clarity while still maintaining the ability to do complex topics justice. I think this characteristic is taken even further forward here and the book is an amazingly easy read without ever being simplistic..."
—Tim Hill, dialogin.com

"India looms as the next big opportunity for Western business, and Storti, a cross-culture communication trainer and consultant, offers advice on how to negotiate the cultural paths to the fattest profits."
—Research Book News

"Craig Storti provides a straightforward, fact-based and eminently useful guide to culture and communication issues that complicate business between Westerners and Indians. Much of the literature on culture and business is vague and theoretical—so this book stands apart. The author targets the problems that are most likely to arise in commerce, offers detailed real-life examples and shows what practical solutions businesspeople can implement. He is evenhanded in his advice, offering tips to both Westerners and Indians. Most importantly...he is businesslike in his approach, focused, practical and realistic about what is achievable."
—getAbstract.com

Editorial Reviews

If you're involved in business interactions with counterparts in India or the West, you are very likely to experience a number of scenarios described in this book. By the time you have finished the book, Storti's suggestions will make complete sense...and you will save yourself a lot of time and frustration by implementing them!

Storti helps us understand that by finely tuning our eyes and ears to the differences, we can bridge the gaps and strengthen our business relationships.—Chris Gilmore, Vendor Management Director, CNA Insurance Companies

Timely and insightful, this book is a great start on the journey of cultural appreciation. Through examining everyday conversations, a complex subject is made accessible. Herein lies the brilliance of Speaking of India.—Sampath Iyengar, Partner, Forum Synergies PE Fund, India

This is a must read! It provides rich insight into why routine interactions are often misconstrued, and offers practical advice on how to present material so both the East and West can relate.—Nikki Webster, Learning and Development Director, CNA Insurance Companies

Storti's cultural observations about Indians are spot on.—Ranjini Manian, CEO, Global Adjustments, and author of Doing Business in India for Dummies

From the Publisher