Lenovo’s Culture Clashes

This computer manufacturer’s history of cultural fusion, between Chinese and American varieties, has lead to experience with cultural impasse, which is the highlight of this article. The company’s Western employees did not realize their Chinese co-worker’s silence during conversation signified disagreement, while their reporting of problems directly to senior executives left American employees feeling circumvented and purposely left out of the loop (why do you think this happened?). The dynamics of conversation seem to be especially difficult between Chinese and North Americans, as the latter speak more readily while the former listen more eagerly. What other instances can you remember where a conversation with a colleague in a multicultural team left you feeling awkward or confused? Lenovo now alternates its headquarters between Paris, Beijing and Raleigh, North Carolina, which seems to have introduced a sort of cultural balance. More subtle changes have also been implemented: silkworms are no longer offered on the menu in the Beijing cafeteria and sports metaphors, confusing to many, are prohibited during phone meetings.