Comments on: Sawubona (Zulu greeting: “I see you are not my enemy”) http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2007/03/21/sawubona-zulu-greeting-i-see-you-are-not-my-enemy/ Blogging about Tomorrow's world Today Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:41:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Curtis Towne http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2007/03/21/sawubona-zulu-greeting-i-see-you-are-not-my-enemy/comment-page-1/#comment-706718 Curtis Towne Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:38:41 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2007/03/21/sawubona-zulu-greeting-i-see-you-are-not-my-eney/#comment-706718 Aloysias, I found this blog after googling the terms "Zulu, Culture, Greetings". I did this after hearing the new CEO of The Chrysler Group LLC, Sergio Marchionne (CEO of Fiat) address the employees on the first day of the new company. Mr. Marchionne quoted the Zulu tradition of Ubuntu (forgive me if I mistakenly have the refernce wrong). Mr. Marchionne's comment was that "our culture is the very essence of success". He spoke of the striking differences between the typical Western culture and that of the Zulu culture. I believe his message was that our very well being as a successful company depends on the way we recognize each other in this community. I do not do his comments justice. They were very enlightening. I have an audio copy of his speech if you would like. I was not able to attached to the reply. My best wishes. Aloysias,

I found this blog after googling the terms “Zulu, Culture, Greetings”. I did this after hearing the new CEO of The Chrysler Group LLC, Sergio Marchionne (CEO of Fiat) address the employees on the first day of the new company. Mr. Marchionne quoted the Zulu tradition of Ubuntu (forgive me if I mistakenly have the refernce wrong). Mr. Marchionne’s comment was that “our culture is the very essence of success”. He spoke of the striking differences between the typical Western culture and that of the Zulu culture. I believe his message was that our very well being as a successful company depends on the way we recognize each other in this community. I do not do his comments justice. They were very enlightening. I have an audio copy of his speech if you would like. I was not able to attached to the reply. My best wishes.

]]> By: Israel http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2007/03/21/sawubona-zulu-greeting-i-see-you-are-not-my-enemy/comment-page-1/#comment-43264 Israel Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:03:31 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2007/03/21/sawubona-zulu-greeting-i-see-you-are-not-my-eney/#comment-43264 Yes, my brother i agree with you as i was faced with similar challenges when i did my stint in corporate. i must be honest and say that some of the older people also perpertuated the notion of being called by their first names though it made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe they did not want to be put a situation where they had to explain why they were called 'BRA THEMBA' instead of 'STANLEY' as they are commonly known. Aloiysias i do think that there is a cultural migration that takes place everytime we enter the workplace, people take on new personalities and culture once they clock-in at work however once we leave the workplace 'their culture' kicks back in. The rationalisation is that 'this is work, don't take it personally' Maybe there is a place for a fusion of cultures in the workplace but the workplace' primary concern is that of productivity. Exciting times!!!! Yes, my brother i agree with you as i was faced with similar challenges when i did my stint in corporate. i must be honest and say that some of the older people also perpertuated the notion of being called by their first names though it made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe they did not want to be put a situation where they had to explain why they were called ‘BRA THEMBA’ instead of ‘STANLEY’ as they are commonly known. Aloiysias i do think that there is a cultural migration that takes place everytime we enter the workplace, people take on new personalities and culture once they clock-in at work however once we leave the workplace ‘their culture’ kicks back in. The rationalisation is that ‘this is work, don’t take it personally’
Maybe there is a place for a fusion of cultures in the workplace but the workplace’ primary concern is that of productivity.
Exciting times!!!!

]]>