INTRODUCTION
Most entrepreneurs when they enter into business, they usually focus on getting more money but in the two films “China or Bust” and “Big Dreams, Little Tokyo” the entrepreneurs seeks to ensure that the people first accept them. The cultural differences made it difficult for business negotiations to begin. Generally, the two movies are an example of how society is changing from a single culture to a multicultural where different people can relate.
The fact that the two negotiating partners were from two different cultures majorly American and Japanese culture made gives a worry that one is going to be disadvantaged. One party feels that it is inferior and the other feels superior before the other and so the one, which has the community acceptance, feels that it should be highly placed and always given the better share of the deal. The cross-cultural differences therefore affected negatively on the business negotiations.
Each partner thought that identifying themselves with the local culture would enable them to achieve a business success. People know that culture is able to give one a business competitive advantage. Culture can still come in a two way in that one retain his or her own original culture and get acceptance. Another option is that one may successfully modify his or her own identify to resemble that of the local people that is “being like and acting like”. The targeted customers are the one to decide whether they will go by those who pretend to be like them or those who does business with them while retaining their original culture.
The various parties had to adapt to the prevailing culture to enjoy the cultural advantage and community acceptance. For instance, in the film “Big Dreams” which is a narrative of Boyd played by Boyle, an American tries as much as possible to speak Japanese. Boyd dreams of succeeding in Japan but the more he tries the more he fails because he often found himself not achieving the target. On the other hand, his fellow roommate Jerome (Jayson Watabe) found himself tone in between American and Japanese cultures and so does not know which side he belongs. The two struggles to find their place in the world where cultural identity is rare. A person’s identity has a large impact on how the locals receive that person.
The strategy for business parties to adapt to cultural differences was not a good strategy. The reaction of the local business people who are the target consumers of the products and services seems to appreciate people the way they are without them camouflaging or pretending to be like the local population. If for instance one is a Japanese, Chinese or American he or she should accept and appreciate the culture they grew. Building customer’s confidence is paramount in business success and it is the first thing that every business party must focus on even before considering issues of benefits and gain they can gain from the business.
The interesting parts of these films are character and situation oriented revolving around legendary to the audience for instance door-to-door salesman or the used car salesman and customer response. Most of the societies and cultures have reformed and can relate to any person regardless of their background. In one of the films, the salesman tries to solicit a customer just because his last name is Japanese without knowledge that the man was not as the salesman had thought. The world is turning cosmopolitan and the way people does business should change. People from different cultures are intermarrying and so businesspersons must consider realigning their strategies with the new trends.
