CROSS

CULTURAL
COMMUNICAT
ION IN
BUSINESS
Business English

Meeting 3
Our Menu

• Communication and culture

• Cross cultural communication
• Importance of cross cultural communication
• Barriers of cross cultural communication
• Tips for effective cross cultural communication
Communication

• A process of sharing ideas, views, information, emotions, etc

• Ultimate goal  to exchange something from a speaker to a listener
• A vital element in business
What culture comes from
Cross Cultural Communication: Importance

• Business opportunities in global market

• Technological advancements
• Job opportunities
• Diverse work force
• Sharing of views and ideas
• Productivity and efficiency
• Team work
• Effective leadership
• Strategic planning
Results of poor cross-cultural communication
Cross Cultural Communication: Barriers

• Language differences
• Social differences
• Religious beliefs
• High context vs. Low context
• Stereotyping
• Non-verbal differences
Barriers: Degree of cultural context
Barriers: Stereotype
Barriers: Non-verbal

Watch video Gestures from Different Countries

Tips for Effective Cross-cultural
Communication

• Know yourself, your culture and your audience

• Be open to new ideas and appreciate cultural differences
• Build trust through interactions
• Avoid using difficult idioms
• Pay attention to body language
• Be a learner
• Slow down and speak clearly
• Listen actively without interrupting the other party
• Avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations
• Show respect for each other
• Observe but don’t interpret according to your own culture –don’t form stereotypes
• Don’t assume you understand non-verbal signals
• Understand your own stereotypes and learn about other cultures with openness
• Don’t take behavior personally even if it’s insulting in your culture
Conclusion

• Cross Cultural communication is challenging as well as exciting in today’s business world

• There are countless differences between cultures. Most important thing is to recognize them,
respect them & understand them when necessary
• Maintain etiquette
• Mutual respect is the key to successful cross-cultural communication
• With recipient's culture in mind, we have to modify our communication accordingly
Miscellaneous and Examples

Social Values
US
Hardwork, material success, efficiency
India
values influencing people’s action, focusing on creating jobs
China
relationship based business, age domination for respect
Miscellaneous and Examples

Showing respect
US
By addressing Mr. Roberts or Mrs. Gutierrez
China, South Korea
By addressing President Kim, Manager Chang
Miscellaneous and Examples

Decision Making Custom

US and Canada
as quick as possible (Top people  main points, details others)
single figure domination
Japan
Time consuming, a negotiating team needed
Greece
Details are important
Latin America
Making decision after much discussion
France
Interrupting is allowed
Miscellaneous and Examples

Concept of Time
German, US, Japan
Time is a way to plan the business day efficiently
One task becomes a focus during each schedule period

Latin America and Common Countries in Asia

Flexibility in time
building a foundation of business relationship > meeting a deadline

• Additional point: The Chinese work 48 hours per week, compared to 43 in the U.S., 42 in Japan, 38 hours in France
Miscellaneous and Examples

Gifts
Arab
Taking gifts to man’s wife is impolite, taking gifts to his children is better
Brazil
Giving purple flower is not acceptable (for funeral)
Denmark
Giving a gifts is not expected in business. It is a kind of bribe
China
Avoiding to give clocks, straw sandals, a handkerchief, a stork or a crane (associated with death)
Japan
Accepting gifts with both hands
Japan

• Bowing for greeting

• Giving business card manner
• Coming punctual in any kind of event
• Thank you – no no no…
• No patting
• No laughter just smile
• Mr/Ms/Mrs/ add san after the family name
• Staying at the office till the employer comes home
India

• Don’t touch people’s head

• Be careful with your feet
• Don’t say thank you to the host at the end of the meal
• Don’t show your impatience
• Don’t refuse Indian associates’ gift and invitation
Latin America

• Siesta
• Manana attitude
• Long-lasting handshake
• Flexible in time
• Family member hire family member
• A lot physical contact when talking
Arab

• Hug and a kiss on the cheek is a common greeting between men

• Right hand is often used
• Gift for the family not personal is preferable
• Legs, hands, and hair should be covered for women who want to do business
 Thank you
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