Edward T Hall, Understanding Cultural Differences How Business Works (pg 159, The Americans) American business is strongly influenced by American culture. Three key characteristics of the best American businesses are: 1. clear lines of authority 2. detailed instructions for subordinates 3. constant feedback on individual performance The first question an American employee asks is, "Whom do I report to?" The employee's immediate bosses are the people who tell them what to do and how to do it and evaluate their on-the-job performance with frequent written reports. For Americans, feedback and evaluation are a life-long process, starting at the lowest levels in school and continuing through the university- by which time students are often more preoccupied with grades than with what they learn. Americans' need for evaluation is tied to their deep need for praise and encouragement. In most medium- and large-size companies employees expect to receive a job description that defines their responsibilities, scope of authority, and sometimes the specific tasks to be done. Close supervision is common and expected. However, employees may also be expected to, on occasion, demonstrate initiative. Though Americans seem to have a relaxed and informal working environment, it's important to remember that there are rules and regulations and lines of authority-- even though these rules are seldom spelled out. Even if employees call the boss by her or his first name, the boss has plenty of power, and both employer and employees know it. The management of many American companies is top-down, highly compartmentalized, and linear. In general, however, Americans in business resist sharing information; some refuse entirely. Most Americans require detailed information and guidance. We warn foreigners, "Don't assume Americans are well informed; often they are not." In American business there are informal but important information networks within the company. Information is gathered and disbursed at the water cooler, at lunch, at meals in the executive dining room, on company trips, on the golf course, and during after-hours socializing. Maintaining one's information networks is a vital part of one's job. In meetings Americans are impatient and want to get down to business immediately. This impatience is related to the American tempo; sometimes it may reflect an absence of manners. In general, however, most Americans have been taught that it's best to come to the point quickly and to avoid ambiguity. As noted, they basically distrust indirection and skirting an issue. They think it's an attempt to hide something. Obviously, such an approach creates problems for Americans interacting with people such as the French and the Japanese. Written communication is very important in American business. Most firms have regular channels of written communication to keep employees informed of events and changes related to their jobs. There are also monthly or even weekly reports and many interoffice memos. Because Americans are procedures-oriented, there is usually a steady flow of paper outlining exactly what is to be done. Foreigners who work with Americans have to learn to write memos, reports, and evaluations.