IMT-N-II-2012 Business Communication-II Session I

We shall never be able to remove suspicion & fear as potential cause of war until communication is permitted to flow, free & open across international borders. -Henry S Truman 33rd US President

Cross Cultural Communication

Learning Objectives
1. 2. 3. 4.

Cross Cultural Communication International & Intercultural Communication Preparing for Expatriate Teams Ethics in Communication

Wheres the problem?

Fallacy 1 : Culture is cause of miscommunication
Culture is a way of life of a group of people Same culture can pose as much problems as others Fallacy 2 : You can generalize cultures Generalization has limits

Inter-Cultural Communication

Communication = Language + Body language

Verbal + Nonverbal
Language : U Know it

- English is the language of international communication

Body language : Understand the cultural setting of work

Cross cultural SOFT skills [ Space, Odor, Frankness, Time ]

Cultural Variations
Individualism Vs collectivism Power distance Masculinity Vs femininity Uncertainty avoidance ST/ LT orientation [ Hofstede 2001 ]

High-Context Cultures

Infer information from message context, rather than from content.

Prefer indirectness, politeness & ambiguity. Convey little information explicitly.

Asian Latin American Middle Eastern

Rely heavily on nonverbal signs.

Low-Context Cultures

Rely more on content rather than on context. Explicitly spell out information Value directness See indirectness as manipulative Value written word more than oral statements

European Scandinavian North

American

Acculturation

Stage of elation and optimism Stage of confusion Gradual improvement to optimism and satisfaction Mastery stage
[ Nicola 1993 ]

7 Ways to Communicate Better

Learn how the source culture best receives communication

Ensure steps to increase the credibility of the message by way of its delivery

Train International employees early & often

Acculturation : Orientation & Ongoing Training

Reflective Listening

Train the non foreign born too

Acculturation : to Organization to subside culture shock

Assign Mentors & take care of the spouses

44% Expatriations fail for spouse adjustment problems, Experienced Mentor

Practice open door policy carefully

Straight talk to immediate boss

Avoid jargon & slang in communication

Avoid Jargon, slang & metaphors in organizational communication

Play by the rules & stick to business

Business driven workplace suitable for expatriates

7 Ways to Better Communicate in Todays Diverse Workplace

Ethical Communication

Advances in the electronic communication constitute a greater danger to the privacy of the individual Traditional ways of communication
Subscription & Legal consequences Word of commitment Acts of commitment Documents of commitment

Modern Ways of communication

Subscription- Implied New ways devised to establish identity