When meeting someone in a Western business setting, conversation usually remains 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.

当在西方的商务场合中会见某人时，对话通常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，特别是第一次见面时。对话会紧扣眼前的商业目标， 从而保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 division of corporate and field roles. Responsibility for all activities is well-established according to function.

在西方, 大多数公司都已形成自己的明确的组织体系。较大的公司对于公司总部和总部以外的业务活动也有清晰的划分。根据不同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，基本上所有的雇员都有一个正式的工作描述档案。头衔通常表示级别和身份。头衔通常用于描述各种职位，但不用来称呼人。

Basically, all Western employees are covered by an employee contract, from a hamburger flipper 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 violation 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，基本上所有的雇员都受劳动合同的保护，从卖汉堡的到大公司的首席执行官。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。合同的条款和规定可以因公司的不同、职业的不同、 职位高低的不同而有所差别。

In the West, clear delineation 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 cohesion, and enhances morale.

在西方，明确工作性质和工作职责是营造浓厚的、良好的企业文化的基础。从最高层的领导到最低层的员工，人人树立责任感。这利于全体员工明确方向，增强员工凝聚力，并鼓舞士气。

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 lackadaisical, unenthusiastic or indifferent, they may hang up and take their business someplace else!

西方的客户或顾客在打商务电话时不希望对方过度友好。他们希望职业化些。如果接电话的人很庸懒，缺乏热情或是漠然，他们会挂掉而去找别的客户。

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常见的。绝大多数商务人员都有一个排得紧紧的时间表。提前计划和预约有助于节省你和他人的时间。

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 individuals getting together to announce or discuss business matters.

Planner

A formatted tool for scheduling appointments, calling meetings, and managing time effectively.

PIM (Palm Pilot, etc.)

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 simultaneously.

Prioritizing

Ranking projects, tasks and assignments in the order of their importance for execution.

Agenda

Orderly, systematic list/schedule of business items to be discussed at a meeting.