For this assignment, you will work in groups to research, prepare, and deliver a 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for questions and answers. The presentation will show how the culture of an individual nation or world region affects the local business environment and practices. As a starting point for your research and preparation, you should use the information in this chapter on cultural variables and determine the characteristics of your selected country against each variable. For example, is the country high- or low-context?

How do they feel about power and equality? Your research should result in an international communication audit for the nation or region you select. In addition, you might want to look at the Web site of a global company that sells its products in many countries—Procter & Gamble, for example (http://www.pg.

com/en_US/index.shtml).

Your group should develop its presentation with a specific business-related audience and purpose in mind; for instance, you might want to approach the presentation as a briefing for employees assigned to a newly acquired foreign subsidiary or a negotiating team about to embark on negotiations for an international merger. You should make your presentation appropriate in every respect to this specific audience. You may take a creative approach.

To promote breadth of learning and avoid repetition, each group is encouraged to select a different nation or region.