Communicating Interculturally Prentice Hall 2007 Excellence in Business

Communicating Interculturally © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 1

Intercultural Communication • Global marketplace • Multicultural workforce © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 2

The Global Marketplace Opportunities Challenges ü Growth Potential ü Laws and Customs ü New Customers ü Volatile Currencies ü New Markets ü Ethical Standards ü New Sources of Labor ü Labor Skills ü Work Opportunities ü Politics and Economics © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 3

Advantages of a Multicultural Workforce • Diverse markets • Broader viewpoints • Expanded talent pool © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 4

Challenges of Intercultural Communication • • Meaning of words Significance of gestures Importance of time and space Rules of relationships © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 5

Enhancing Intercultural Sensitivity • • Understanding concept of culture Overcoming ethnocentrism Overcoming stereotyping Recognizing cultural variations © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 6

The Concept of Culture • Shared systems – Priorities – Attitudes – Rules © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 7

Established Cultures • Automatic • Coherent • Complete © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 8

Negative Cultural Attitudes • Ethnocentrism • Xenophobia • Stereotyping © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 9

Cultural Pluralism • Accepting distinctions • Avoiding assumptions © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 10

Cultural Variations • Contextual • Legal and ethical • Social • Nonverbal • Age • Gender © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 11

Cultural Context • Decision-making practices • Problem-solving techniques • Negotiating styles © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 12

Legal and Ethical Behavior • Seek common ground • Withhold judgment • Send honest messages • Respect differences © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 13

Social Behavior Differences • Work and success • Roles and status • Use of manners • Concepts of time © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 14

Nonverbal Differences • Greetings and touching • Personal space • Facial expressions • Eye contact • Posture • Formality © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 15

Age Differences • Youth-oriented cultures • Senior-oriented cultures © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 16

Gender Differences • Influences on Communication – Workplace hierarchy – Decision-making styles – Problem-solving styles © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 17

Improving Intercultural Communication Skills • Study other cultures and languages • Respect communication styles • Speak and write clearly • Listen carefully • Use interpreters or translators • Help others adapt to your culture © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 18

Studying Other Cultures • • • Social customs Clothing and food Political patterns Religious and folk beliefs Economics and business Ethics, values, and laws © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 19

Learning Languages • Facilitate communication • Build language skills • Choose words wisely © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 20

Respecting Cultures • Communication preferences – Degree of formality – Level of directness – Writing or speaking © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 21

Writing Clearly • • • Use plain English Strive for brevity Provide transitions Use proper addresses Cite numbers carefully Avoid slang, jargon, and humor © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 22

Speaking Clearly • • • Speak distinctly and slowly Rephrase when necessary Seek feedback Don’t patronize Confirm agreement © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 23

Listening Carefully • Vocal patterns – Pitch – Tone – Speed – Volume © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 24

Using Interpreters or Translators • Human beings – Interpretation – Cultural context – Non-verbal cues • Software – Translation – Words and phrases – Gist of the message © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 25

Helping Others Adapt • Speaking and listening – Conference calls – Face-to-face conversations • Reading and writing – Intranet sites – Email and instant messaging © Prentice Hall, 2007 Excellence in Business Communication, 7 e 26