In order for Verizon Company to expand its services to Australian market, a complete socio-cultural analysis of Australia needs to be undertaken to determine market entry strategy, financing, human resources needs, pricing, distribution, organization structure and, suppliers. Considering that, the company will have to employ Australian people and create partnerships, it necessary for the company to be aware of the cultural differences that exists between them and the foreign country. By familiarizing itself with people’s etiquette and customs, ranging from dressing style, diet and business methods will improve the chances of the company establishing itself with no major problems. This paper will analyze the socio-cultural factors of Australia in order to draw a well-mastered plan that will enable Verizon company extend its services to the country.
Australians are very helpful and friendly people; they have a high sense of humor and have a way of playing with words. They may sometimes appear wintry because of their private adopted nature, but it does not take long before they become jovial. You can talk with the people of Australia about any subject, but things that are more personal may be hard for them to bring it out in the open.
Australia’s culture and society has diverse lifestyle and culture. The original inhabitants to the country were Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Aboriginals while the rest of the Australian people are immigrants to the country. The total estimated population of the country is 23 million while 25 percent of those in the country came from oversea countries. With the legal framework in Australia, all Australians have equal human rights to express their beliefs, culture and participate liberally in national life. The following are the values and shared principles that each Australian citizen has to uphold.
- Peacefulness
- Equality of opportunity
- Freedom of speech and association
- Respect for equal worth
- Equality in gender
- Parliamentary democracy
- Compassion for those in need and mutual respect
In Australia, the legal policies in the country puts it that no one should suffer based on his or her culture, religious belief, cultural background, and country of birth (Van, 2002, p. 236). The unemployment rate in the country is relatively low. The country is an effervescent Christian country, 64 percent of the total population in Australia has been identified as Christians and despite this, and other religious faiths are practiced in the country presenting the diversity of the country. The indigenous Australians are \allowed to practice their religious beliefs, notably; there is no official state religion.
Australia has a vibrant art scene that represents both the cultural diversity in the country. All forms of performing and visual arts have a strong following including dance and music. The type of clothing that people put on in Australia show their national diversity. There is no particular law or regulations on clothing, professionals, and the working class are expected to wear certain clothing depending the organization’s dressing standards.
Arguably, Australia is one country that offers diverse and excellent opportunities to foreign investors, expanding Verizon services to the country is therefore a logical and practical business idea. Its longstanding economic resilience, friendly populace, sound authoritarian structure for business, and its political stability have amplified the country’s attractiveness as a foreign investment destination. The country offers invaluable security particularly after the recent disorder in the financial system and global economy.
Considering that, Verizon offers technical services to its clients; Australia is the most appropriate destination to expand the company’s services. The skill base of the country’s multicultural and highly trained workforce presents a great chance and opportunity for the company to easily integrate its services to its customers and partners in the country. The country maintains its professional and competent workforce by promoting research and innovation development through funding.
The international language in Australia is English, but the country itself is a multilingual nation. Considering that Verizon was once established in the United States, common language between people from these two countries would be easy since they both speak English. Communication in any business is very important; it is the most important aspect of relationships, at both professional and personal level (Turner, & Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2002, p. 22). Communication is very important in conveying messages, clarifying ideas, evading from misunderstandings, increase productivity and efficiency, and employee job satisfaction. Out of Australia’s population of over 21million, over one million Australians are fluent in European language apart from English and more than one million are fluent in major Asian languages.
As the economic growth centre reallocates to Asian pacific (Dessus, Suwa-Eisenmann, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, & Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2000, p. 121), Australia’s geographic location on the edge of Asia will favor Verizon as it plans its entry into the Australian market. Additionally, the Australian government investment and trades agency, Austrade provides a wide range of services to foreign investors, including conducive local market regulations and conditions.
In conclusion, it is important for Verizon Company to understand the socio-cultural practices of the Australians to draw a well-mastered plan of venturing into the Australia’s market. Remarkably, the people of Australia are friendly, and helpful. The country has a diverse culture; all the Australian’s are the same before the law, and that there is no official religion in the country.
.
References
Dessus, S., Suwa-Eisenmann, A., Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development., &
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2000). Regional integration and internal reforms in the Mediterranean area. Paris: OECD.
Turner, P., & Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. (2003). Organisational
communication: The role of the HR professional. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Van, B. R. (2002). Nyoongar people of Australia: Perspectives on racism and multiculturalism.
Leiden [u.a.: Brill.
