Sunday, October 21, 2012

Intercultural Business


The idea of different cultures reacting very differently to things we see as “cool,” “hip” or respectful” is something that has been around for a very long time. For example, an urban legend, which isn’t actually true, states the Chevrolet Nova didn’t sell well in Spanish-speaking areas because “Nova” can be translated to “does not go.” Additionally, a candy bar that was released in the United States had the name of zit. Because of the name, and the connotation with said name, and it did sell very poorly. This sort of issue can be avoided simply by doing research into the area in which you are attempting to do business. Otherwise you might find yourself in the same situation as the company which got booted because they used pigskin leather for their contract, disrespecting their hosts; or you might find yourself selling a candy bar with a name that causes people to cringe when thinking about eating it.

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