how to communicate globally and effectively
TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO COMMUNICATE GLOBALLY AND EFFECTIVELY
AUTHORIZED: ERNEST GUNDLINGTraining and Development 53.6 (June 1999), p28, Appendix
I. INTRODUCTION
• The context of interaction with people in other countries must be carefully adopted in international business environment
• Technology makes communication easier, but can also be counterproductive in some high context cultures.
• We need to consider several factors before selecting which technology to use in which context.
I. INTRODUCTION• Example about failing to apply videoconferencing
facilities in Thailand subsidiary of an American film.
• It cost an entire day of employees and Thais had trouble getting used to the new technology.
• The result is that instead of creating a greater efficiency, this new facility “create” additional meeting and extra cost
I. INTRODUCTION
• Example about changing organizational structural in US headquarter without an official announcement to a customer service staff in Asian representative- Emily Liu. They just sent her an email and automatically changed everything from her contact to her partner… without noticing.
• The result is that she felt disappointed and discouraged as she has to start over. She can leave this office in the future due to this problem
II. CONTEXT IS THE CORE
• Context is the core intercultural issue when using communication technologies
• United States, Canada, Northern European are defined as low-context cultures =>videoconference, an email is usually accepted in person meeting.
• Asia, Middle East are the high-context cultures => face to face interaction.
II. CONTEXT IS THE CORE
• It’s important to consider the amount of context through different types of interaction when developing a global communications strategy .
• The range of possible interaction : informal contact, a physical exchange, nonverbal cues, immediate feedback, voice tone.
• High context forms are not always better, but it’s essential to select the communication style most appropriate for the people and purpose involved.
III. CREATING CONTEXT
• What frequently works best in a cross-cultural setting is to build context.
• First, Arranging for a face –to – face meeting early in the relationship => the parties can agree in using multiple media for regular meetings instead of meeting in person aren’t possible due to time, distance or expense.
III. CREATING CONTEXT
• Second, using the facilitation techniques typically applied in face – to – face meetings such as videoconference.
• Thirdly, it’s essential the context be a joint creation and not something imposed. For example modify the speech and select the material to circulate, another aspect of shared is the time at which communication takes place
III. CREATING CONTEXT
• The last one, it’s also very important that asking the involved parties for their preferred method of communication
III. CREATING CONTEXT
• The main aspects to consider when trying to select the appropriate communication technologies:
Availability mean that don’t put anyone at disadvantage.
User skillsCultural variable
III. CREATING CONTEXT
Level of rapportImportance of messageWays of build contextA regular patternLanguage modificationTime windowsUser choice