© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 1

Communicating Communicating InterculturallyInterculturally

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 2

InterculturalInterculturalCommunicationCommunication

Two Major TrendsTwo Major Trends

MarketMarketGlobalizationGlobalization

MulticulturalMulticulturalWorkforceWorkforce

(cultural diversity)(cultural diversity)

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 3

Intercultural SensitivityIntercultural Sensitivity

• Culture

• Subculture

• Ethnocentrism

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 4

Legal andLegal andEthicalEthicalContextualContextual

NonverbalNonverbalSocialSocial

Cultural DifferencesCultural Differences

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 5

Cultural ContextCultural Context

HighContext

LowContext

Decision Making Practices

Problem Solving Techniques

Negotiating Styles

HighContext

LowContext

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 6

Legal and Ethical BehaviorLegal and Ethical BehaviorAre bribes legal in foreign countries?Are bribes legal in foreign countries?

Seek Common Ground

Withhold Judgment

Send Honest Messages

Respect Cultural Differences

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 7

Social Behavior Social Behavior

DifferencesDifferences

Materialism

Roles

Status

Manners

Time

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 8

Personal Personal SpaceSpace

Personal Personal SpaceSpace

BodyBodyLanguageLanguage

BodyBodyLanguageLanguage

Nonverbal Nonverbal CommunicationCommunication

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 9

Overcoming Overcoming EthnocentrismEthnocentrism

(Stereotyping)

• Accept Distinctions

• Avoid Assumptions

• Avoid Judgments

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 10

Doing Business AbroadDoing Business Abroad

• Assume differences

• Take responsibility

• Withhold judgment

• Show respect

• Empathize

• Tolerate ambiguity

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 11

Doing Business AbroadDoing Business Abroad

• Look past the superficial

• Be patient

• Be persistent

• Admit cultural biases

• Remain flexible

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 12

Doing Business AbroadDoing Business Abroad

• Look for common ground

• Send clear messages

• Deal with the individual

• Learn when to be direct

• Test your understanding

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 13

ESL Communication BarriersESL Communication Barriers

CommunicationStyles

CommunicationStyles

VocalVariations

VocalVariations

Accents andPronunciationAccents and

PronunciationSlang and

IdiomsSlang and

Idioms

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 14

Foreign Language Foreign Language

BarriersBarriers

Learn Another Language

Use Intermediaries or Translators

Offer Training in English

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 15

Written CommunicationWritten Communication

Use plain English

Be clear

Use proper addresses

Cite numbers carefully

Be brief

Use transitions

Avoid slang and idioms

Use short paragraphs

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 16

Oral CommunicationOral Communication

MinimizeNoise

ObtainFeedback

SpeakSlowly

ClarifyIntent

Do NotTalk Down

BeAccurate

© Prentice Hall, 2003 Business Communication Today Chapter 3 - 17

Oral CommunicationOral Communication

Learn ForeignPhrases

ListenCarefully

AdaptYour Style

Check forUnderstanding

Clarify theNext Step

Watch BodyLanguage