When meeting someone in a Western business setting, conversation usually remains1 focused on business matters and business TOPics. Family and/or personal matters are not brought up, especially the first time you meet. Conversations stick to the business purpose at hand and remain objective and professional.
当在西方的商务场所中会见某人时，对话一般围绕着一些商业问题或商业话题，而不会涉及家庭和个人问题，尤其是首次见面时。对话会紧扣眼前的商业目的， 从而维持它的客观性和专业性。
In the West, most companies have well-established and identifiable lines of organization. Larger companies have a clear pision of corporate2 and field roles. Responsibility for all activities is well-established according to function.
在西方, 大部分公司都已形成我们的明确的组织体系。较大的公司对于公司总部和总部以外的业务活动也有明确的划分。依据不一样的职能明确各项职责。
Basically all employees at medium to large-sized Western companies have an official, documented job description. Titles are usually indicative of rank and status. Titles are normally used to describe various positions, but are not used when addressing the person.
在西方的大中型公司，基本上所有些雇员都有一个正式的工作描述档案。头衔一般表示级别和身份。头衔一般用于描述各种职位，但不需要来称呼人。
Basically, all Western employees are covered by an employee contract, from a hamburger flipper3 to the CEO of a major corporation. All employee contracts are enforceable by law, and both employees and employers can be held liable for any unauthorized violation4 of a contract. The terms and conditions can vary widely from one company to another, from one profession to another, and from one position to another.
在西方，基本上所有些雇员都受劳动合同的保护，从卖汉堡的到大企业的首席实行官。所有劳动合同都受法律保护，雇员和雇主都要为违反劳动合同的行为负责。合同的条约和规定可以因企业的不同、职业的不同、 职位高低的不同而有所差别。
In the West, clear delineation5 and classification of job responsibilities are instrumental in creating a strong company culture. Everybody is accountable, from the head of the company down to the lowest-level employee. This approach creates a sense of direction, generates staff cohesion6, and enhances morale7.
在西方，明确工作性质和工作职责是打造浓厚的、好的企业文化的基础。从最高层的领导到最低层的职员，每人树立责任感。这利于全体职员明确方向，增强职员凝聚力，并激励士气。
Western clients and customers are not expecting an overly friendly conversation when they make a business call. They expect some degree of professionalism. If the person answering the call is too lackadaisical8, unenthusiastic or indifferent, they may hang up and take their business someplace else!
西方的顾客或客户在打商务电话时不期望他们过度友好。他们期望职业化些。假如接电话的人非常庸懒，缺少热情或是漠然，他们会挂掉而去找别的顾客。
In Western business culture, making an appointment is commonplace for most business dealings. Most company personnel are on a tight schedule, and it saves your time and theirs by planning ahead and scheduling appointments.
在西方的商业文化中，进行预约在商业活动中是容易见到的。绝大部分商务职员都有一个排得紧紧的时间表。提前计划和预约能够帮助节省你和别人的时间。
Appointment
A pre-determined meeting at a specific time and place.
Schedule
A group of appointments slotted over a specific time horizon. Can be administered personally or by a secretary, personal assistant, etc.
Meeting
A group of inpiduals getting together to announce or discuss business matters.
Planner
A formatted9 tool for scheduling appointments, calling meetings, and managing time effectively.
PIM
Personal Information Manager,Personal Digital Assistant. An electronic planner that combines multiple business functions, such as Email, Calendar, Phone book,Address book, Note pad, Time, Date, Calculator, etc.
Minutes
Written documentation of a business meeting. Usually the minute-taker only plays a supporting role in the meeting.
To-do lists
Lists of actionable items that have to be performed. Sometimes the items are time-sensitive, and sometimes they are just memory-joggers.
Action plan
Methodical, comprehensive composite of tasks to be performed.
Multi-tasking
The act of performing or of being involved in multiple projects and/or tasks that have to progress simultaneously10.
Prioritizing
Ranking projects, tasks and assignments in the order of their importance for execution.
Agenda
Orderly, systematic11 list/schedule of business items to be discussed at a meeting.
预约
在特定地址和时间预先定好的会面。
日程表
在一张时间表上列出的一组约会状况。由本人或秘书、私人助理等来安排。
会议
一群人聚在一块，宣布或讨论业务问题。
电子记事薄/电子秘书
一个安排预约，召集会议和有效管理时间的格式化工具。
个人信息管理/商务通
个人信息管理器，是一个综合了多种商业作用与功效如邮件、日历、电话本、地址本、记事本、时间、日期、计算器等的电子日程安排工具。
会议记录
商务会议的书面内容记录。会议记录员在会议上一般只不过配角。
实行表
需要实行的项目表。有时这类项目时间性非常强，有时只不过一个备忘录。
行动计划
对需要实行的任务进行系统的、综合的描述。
多项任务/身兼多职
同时参与多个项目或任务。
区别优先
依据项目、任务的重要程度来安排实行的先后顺序。
议程
将会议上所要讨论的商业问题，有顺序地，系统地列出表。
For many Western employees, praise and criticism are also tied to a regular review process , where they can be rewarded if their work quality has achieved or exceeded company standards. Most Western companies avoid negative c
riticism because it can be demoralizing and counter-productive.
对于不少西方雇员来讲，赞赏和批评都在按期的审察程序里（一般是每年一次的审察）。在审察中，假如他们的工作水平达到或超越公司标准的话，他们就能得到奖励。大多数西方国家的公司一般都防止负面消极的批评，不然就会挫伤士气，达到事与愿违的成效。
Most Western companies are fairly strict about employees wearing the proper business attire12 and presenting themselves in a professional way. This applies to all white-collar employees, and sometimes to blue-collar workers as well. In some cases, employees may be required to wear some kind of company uniform. Any employee who refuses to adhere to company policy can be disciplined.
很多西方公司对于自己雇员的得体着装及言行举止都有着严格的限定。这类规定不只适用于白领阶层，而且有时也适用于蓝领阶层。在有的状况下，公司需要雇员们只能穿企业的制服。任何不遵守公司规定的人要遭到处罚。
Gossiping is human nature. Lots of people do it. Mild gossip is usually harmless, but excessive gossip should be avoided, especially in a business environment. Although Western companies tolerate gossip, they do not encourage it, and they are definitely against rumors13 and rumor-mongering.
闲谈是人类的天性。不少人都参与闲谈。适合的闲谈一般没坏处，但过分的闲谈是应该防止的，尤其是在工作环境里。虽然西方国家的公司同意闲谈，但他们不鼓励，而且他们坚决反对谣言及散布谣言。
In most Western businesses, employee expenses are the single largest cosplayt of doing business. Western salaries and benefits usually constitute at least 50% of a companys expenses. For each employee, the company pays base salary, makes contributions for pension plans, medical plans, etc., and pays for office space, furniture, supplies, etc. In addition, they cover the cosplayt of other benefits with no productivity gained.
在绝大部分西方公司中，职员成本是企业经营中的最大项支出。西方的薪资和福利一般至少要占公司支出的50%。公司为每位职员支付基本薪资、养老基金、医保等，还要支付办公场地、家具、办公用品的成本等。另外还要保障其他福利（带薪假期、病假等）
Its quite common practice for Western businesses to lay off employees during times of economic upheaval14, company reorganization / restructuring, and downsizing. There is no great stigma15 associated with being laid off. When employees are laid off, they are usually given a package to ease the pain of being severed16 from the company.
在西方商界，每逢经济动荡、公司重组或缩减规模时，就会裁员。所以下岗并非件可耻的事情。职员下岗时一般会得到一笔补偿金以安抚他们被迫离开企业的痛苦心情。
Project management is a key methodology that Western businesses use on a regular basis to solve problems, to launch new products and services, and to maximize the use of personnel. Project management teams are usually comprised of members who have the highly specialized17 skills appropriate for the project and who can perform at maximum efficiency for the company.
项目管理是一门科学理论，西方企业运用这一理论来解决问题，指导新品或服务投放市场，也用来指导职员的最好化配置。项目管理小组一般由以下职员组成：具备合乎项目需要的专业技术职员和能为公司带来最大效率的职员。
In the West, job interviews are highly formalized and systematic. Employers pay close attention to a potential employees qualifications, background, personality and skills to determine her/his fit with not only the job but also with the company culture. It is an expensive process and employers want to make sure that the best employee is hired for a position to keep turnover18 to a minimum.
在西方，工作应聘是很正式和系统化的。雇用方会密切注意将来员工的潜在的条件、背景、个性和能力，来决定他是不是不只合适该工作，也合适整个企业的文化基调。这其实是一个花费不小的程序，所以雇用方需要确保每一个岗位雇用的是最好、比较适合该工作的员工，以把人事变动率降到最低。
