Business Communication Workshop

1. Business Communication Workshop Course Coordinator: Ayyaz Qadeer Lecture# 6

2. Communicating Interculturally

3. We have discussed….. • We have discussed the trends that have made intercultural business communications so important. • Intercultural communication and global marketing • Culture and subculture • Culture’s four basic characteristics. • The differences between high-context and low context cultures. • Recognize cultural differences in all the social places. People differ in their way of talking, ways of negotiations and social interaction.

4. We have discussed….. • Negotiating style, decision making process, problem solving techniques and ethics

5. Overcoming Ethnocentrism • Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own cultural background is superior to that of others. • Stereotyping is predicting behavior based on particular groups or classes. • To overcome ethnocentrism, • Acknowledge distinctions • Avoid assumptions • Avoid judgments

6. Company/product Unfortunate Translations in International Marketing English Translation Dairy Association “Got Milk?” “Are you lactating?” (Mexico) Chevrolet - car Nova “No va” = “doesn’t go” (Latin America) Coors Beer “Turn It Loose” “Suffer from diarrhea” (Latin America) Pepsi Cola “Come Alive with Pepsi ” “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave” (China) Secured from the Internet

7. Overcoming Language Barriers • Breaking Through ESL Barriers • Avoid using slang and idioms. • Pay attention to local accents and pronunciation. • Be aware of vocal variations. • Breaking Through Foreign Language Barriers • Learn a foreign language. • Use an intermediary or translator. • Offer language training programs. • Study other cultures.

8. Activity Activity Activity Activity Increase Intercultural Communication Awareness With a partner, list all the tips you can think of from successful intercultural businesspeople

9. Developing Intercultural Communication Skills • Assume differences. • Take responsibility. • Withhold judgment. • Show respect. • Empathize. • Tolerate ambiguity. • Recognize bias. • Learn patience and persistence. • Be flexible. • Emphasize some common ground. • Send clear messages. • Deal with the individual. • Know when to be direct. • Avoid the superficial. • Evaluate feedback to assess your hypothesis.

10. Writing Effective Messages to International Audiences • Use plain English. • Be clear. • Avoid slang and idioms. • Be brief. • Use short paragraphs. • Use transitional elements.

11. Improve Your Oral Skills • Try to eliminate noise. • Look for feedback. • Rephrase sentences when necessary. • Clarify your true intent with repetition and examples. • Don’t talk down to the other person.

12. Improve Your Oral Skills continued • Use objective, accurate language. • Listen carefully and patiently. • Adapt your conversation style to the other person’s. • Clarify what will happen next.

13. Let’s Discuss • How have market globalization and cultural diversity contributed to the increased importance of intercultural communication? • What is the relationship between culture and subculture? • What are the four basic characteristics of culture?

14. Let’s Discuss continued • How do high-context cultures differ from low-context cultures? • In addition to the contextual differences, what other categories of cultural differences exist? • What four principles apply to ethical intercultural communication? • What is ethnocentrism, and how can it be overcome in communication?

15. Let’s Discuss continued • Why is it a good idea to avoid slang and idioms when addressing a multicultural audience? • What are some ways to improve oral skills when communicating with people of other cultures? • What is the purpose of back-translation when preparing a message in another language?

16. Thank You