Cross Cultural Sourcing

I am writing a piece on cultural sourcing - can you help? I am specifically looking for information about the cultural intricacies of telephone name sourcing into other countries besides the U.S. (US tips are also welcome!).

For instance, in your own country:
What holidays would impact phone sourcing?
What hours of the day/night would impact phone sourcing?
Would language be a barrier - do most "Gatekeepers" speak English? If not, what is the best way to find someone at that location who does?
What "social niceties" would impact phone sourcing?
What telephone manner would be considered "rude" in your own country?
Do companies in your own country typically have VoiceMail systems?
Do individual workers in your country typically have their own desk? Phone?
What is Internet access like in your own country?
What are the "management levels' typically called at companies in your own country?
What are the general characteristics of the person who answers the phone at companies in your country?
What is the general concensus in your country about "poaching" employees from one company to the next?

I'm sure there are questions here I've forgotten to ask - feel free to add your own and thank you in advance for your help!

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Permalink Reply by Kumar Anchan on September 9, 2008 at 1:10pm

Hello Maureen,

Let me introduce first. I am kumar working as Sr. Technical Recruiter for an US Firm. I am providing an offshore support from india.

I would answer as many as i can, but appologize if wont able to answer 100% of your questions.

or instance, in your own country: - I am from india
What holidays would impact phone sourcing? - didnt understood this question
What hours of the day/night would impact phone sourcing? Indian normally works from 9 AM - 7 PM, but in india we do have alot of outsourcing company which works according to US timings (9 AM - 6 PM EST).
Would language be a barrier - do most "Gatekeepers" speak English? If not, what is the best way to find someone at that location who does? In India you will find mostly English speaking peoples.
What "social niceties" would impact phone sourcing? didnt understood
What telephone manner would be considered "rude" in your own country? No one would be rude if its an job call, but if its an marketing call than definately they are rude.
Do companies in your own country typically have VoiceMail systems? - Most IT companies have VM Systems
Do individual workers in your country typically have their own desk? Phone? - Yes
What is Internet access like in your own country? - We have all major IS Provider, to name few, BSNL, VSNL, Satyam etc.
What are the "management levels' typically called at companies in your own country?
What are the general characteristics of the person who answers the phone at companies in your country? if you call to companies it would be gate-keeper (We call it receptionist)
What is the general concensus in your country about "poaching" employees from one company to the next? Salary ..