copyright © 2010 pearson education internationalchapter 3 - 1 communicating in a world of diversity

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 3 - 1

Communicating Communicating in a World of Diversityin a World of Diversity


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

• Discuss the challenges and opportunities of

intercultural communication

• Define culture and explain how it is learned

• Define ethnocentrism and stereotyping, then

give three suggestions for overcoming these

limiting mindsets


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

• Explain the importance of recognizing

cultural variations and list eight categories of

cultural differences

• Identify the steps you can take to improve

your intercultural communication skills

• List seven methods for writing clearly in

multi-language business environments


Communication Communication in a Diverse Worldin a Diverse World

• The concept of diversity

– Individual characteristics

– Individual experiences

• Intercultural communication

– Cultural backgrounds

– Cultural differences


Opportunities in a Global Opportunities in a Global MarketplaceMarketplace

• New customers

• New labor sources

• New job possibilities


Advantages of a Diverse Advantages of a Diverse WorkforceWorkforce

• Connect with customers

• Expand talent pool


Challenges of Intercultural Challenges of Intercultural CommunicationCommunication

• Motivating employees

• Communicating with employees

• Promoting harmony and cooperation


Enhancing Sensitivity to Enhancing Sensitivity to Culture and DiversityCulture and Diversity

• Understanding the concept of culture

• Overcoming ethnocentrism and

stereotyping

• Accepting variations in a diverse world

• Adapting to other business cultures

• Adapting to U.S. business culture


The Concept of CultureThe Concept of Culture

• Shared system

– Priorities

– Behaviors

– Rules


Characteristics of Characteristics of CulturesCultures

• Cultural assumptions

– Automatic

– Coherent

– Complete


Negative Cultural Negative Cultural AttitudesAttitudes

• Ethnocentrism

• Xenophobia

• Stereotyping


What Is Cultural What Is Cultural Pluralism?Pluralism?

• Accepting multiple cultures

– Avoiding assumptions

– Avoiding judgments

– Acknowledging distinctions


Recognizing Variations Recognizing Variations in a Diverse Worldin a Diverse World

• Contextual

• Legal and ethical

• Social

• Nonverbal

• Age

• Gender

• Religion

• Ability


Cultural ContextCultural Context

• Decision making practices

• Problem solving techniques

• Negotiating styles


Legal and Ethical Legal and Ethical BehaviorBehavior

• Seek common ground

• Withhold judgment

• Send honest messages

• Respect differences


Social Behavior Social Behavior DifferencesDifferences

• Work and success

• Roles and status

• Use of manners

• Concepts of time

• Future orientation

• Openness and inclusiveness


Nonverbal DifferencesNonverbal Differences

• Greetings and touching

• Personal space

• Facial expressions

• Eye contact

• Posture

• Formality


Differences in AgeDifferences in Age

• Youth-oriented

• Senior-oriented

• Multi-generational


Gender DifferencesGender Differences

• Existing workplace cultures

• Communication styles


Religious DifferencesReligious Differences

• Personal beliefs

• Workplace issues


Ability DifferencesAbility Differences

• Assistive technologies

– Customers

– Colleagues

– Employees


Adapt to Other CulturesAdapt to Other Cultures

• Acknowledge your biases

• Ignore the “Golden Rule”

• Be tolerant, respectful, and flexible

• Practice patience and keep a sense

of humor


U.S. Business CultureU.S. Business Culture

• Individualism

• Equality

• Privacy and personal space

• Time and schedules

• Religious beliefs

• Communication styles


Improving Intercultural Improving Intercultural CommunicationCommunication

• Study other cultures and languages

• Respect communication styles

• Speak and write clearly

• Listen carefully to others

• Use interpreters or translators

• Help others adapt to your culture


Studying Other CulturesStudying Other Cultures

• Social customs

• Clothing and food

• Political patterns

• Religion and social beliefs

• Economics and business

• Ethics, values, and laws


Learning LanguagesLearning Languages

• Facilitate communication

• Promote business relationships


Respecting Communication Respecting Communication PreferencesPreferences

• Degree of formality

• Level of directness

• Writing or speaking


Writing ClearlyWriting Clearly

Clear Language

Transitional Elements

Numbers and Dates

Humor and Culture

Conciseness

International Addresses

Slang, Jargon, or Idioms

Audience Expectations


Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening

• Intercultural conversations

– Speaking with others

– Listening to others


Translators or Translators or InterpretersInterpreters

• Human beings

– Interpretation, cultural context, non-

verbal cues

• Computers

– Translation, words and phrases, gist of

the message


Helping Others AdaptHelping Others Adapt

• Business communication

– Offer useful advice

– Simplify the process

copyright © 2010 pearson education internationalchapter 3 - 1 communicating in a world of diversity

Documents

inclusiveness slide

cooperation slide

business culture slide

world of diversity slide

cultural variations

cultural pluralism

cultural context decision

diverse world adapting