Custom

In business or individual practices, 'custom' refers to habitual tendencies, traditional policies, or usual activities routinely followed as a matter of course. These practices can shape organizational behavior and culture and affect various business decisions and operations.
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Definition

Custom refers to the usual business or individual practice, habitual tendency, or traditional policy. It represents the ingrained behaviors or policies that are followed regularly and are considered standard within a particular context. Customs can significantly influence organizational behavior, cultural norms, and individual or communal practices.

Examples

  1. Closed for Business on Sunday: Many businesses, particularly in certain cultures and regions, follow the custom of remaining closed on Sundays.
  2. Holiday Bonuses: It is a customary practice for many companies to give employees bonuses during the holiday season as a recognition of their work throughout the year.
  3. Greeting Customers with Respect: In Japanese business culture, it is customary to bow when greeting customers or important guests.
  4. Siesta Time: In countries like Spain, taking a midday break or siesta is a traditional custom, affecting business hours.
  5. Dress Codes: Certain industries, like finance and law, often have customary dress codes that dictate business attire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the importance of custom in business?

Customs can establish standards of behavior, enhance corporate culture, and ensure consistency in how business operations are conducted. They can also influence client expectations and employee behavior.

How does custom differ from law?

While laws are formal rules enacted by governing bodies and enforced by legal authorities, customs are informal practices upheld by tradition or habitual practice. Non-compliance with customs usually doesn’t carry legal penalties but may affect social or business relationships.

Can customs change over time?

Yes, customs can evolve based on changing social norms, technological advancements, and shifting economic conditions. Continuous re-evaluation can lead to adapting or abandoning old customs.

How do customs impact international business?

Customs play a key role in international business as they reflect cultural differences. Understanding and respecting local customs can help build better business relationships and avoid misunderstandings.

What are examples of customs in the workplace?

Customs in the workplace might include regular team meetings, annual performance reviews, celebrating employee birthdays or work anniversaries, and specific protocols for communication.

  • Tradition: Practices or beliefs passed down through generations within a culture or group.
  • Norm: An accepted standard or a way of behavior that most people agree with and follow within a group or society.
  • Habit: A routine or practice performed regularly, often without conscious thought.
  • Etiquette: Conventional rules of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.
  • Culture: The ideas, customs, and social behaviors of a specific group or society.

Online Resources

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  • The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
  • Business Etiquette: 50 Ways to Success at Work by Ann Marie Sabath
  • Gung Ho! by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles
  • The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

Fundamentals of Custom: Business Practice Basics Quiz

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