Cross Cultural Communication

for Business

Prepared by: Kazi Obaidur Rahman IBA, University of Dhaka Email: kz.obaidur@yahoo.com

Topics Covered

• Communication and Culture

• Cross Cultural Communication

• Importance of Cross Cultural Communication

• Barriers of Cross Cultural Communication

• Tips for Effective Cross Cultural Communication

2

Communication

• Is a process of share ideas, views, information,

emotion etc.

• Ultimate goal is to get something from receivers

• Vital element for business

3

BEHAVIOR

BELIEFS

VALUES AND THOUGHT PATTERNS

Culture

4

Cultural Affects on Communication

Communication

Language

Values

Norms

Attitudes Perception

Beliefs

Behavior

5

Cross Cultural Communication

• Focuses on how people from different cultures,

background, beliefs and communities

communicate across different cultures...

6 URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSt_op3fQck

Cross Cultural Communication: Importance

• Business opportunities in global market

• Technological advancements

• Job opportunities

• Diverse work force

7

Cross Cultural Communication: Importance (contd.)

• Sharing of views and ideas

• Productivity and efficiency

• Team work

• Effective leadership

• Strategic planning

8

Results of Poor Cross Cultural Communication

Stage 1

• Misunderstanding

• Lack of co-operation

Stage 2

• Hostile work environment

• High employee turnover

• Poor productivity

Stage 3

• Loss of customers

• Declining revenue

9

Cross Cultural Communication: Barriers

• Language differences

• Social differences

• Religious beliefs

• High context vs. Low context

• Stereotyping

• Non-verbal differences

10

Barriers: High Context vs. Low Context

Approach • Directness

• Appraisal

• Importance of word

• Negotiation process

High Context

• Indirect

• Credibility through relationships

• Agreements founded on trust

• Slow negotiation

Low Context

• Direct

• Credibility through expertise

• Agreements by legal contract

• Efficient negotiation

11

Barriers: Degree of Cultural Context

Japan

Latin Americans

& Arabs

Anglo French

Germans & North

Americans

Low Context

High Context

12

Barriers: Stereotype

Religion Race Gender

Regional

13

Barriers: Non Verbal

• In different culture different Gesture has different

meaning

• The customs and significance of Eye Contact vary

widely between cultures

Japan: Money

Afghanistan: Obscene

Canada: Ok

Russia: Zero

14

Barriers: Non Verbal (contd.)

• The Perception of Time differs cross culturally

• Different cultures handles Personal Space differently

15

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

16

Tips for Effective Cross Cultural

Communication (contd.)

• Slow down and speak clearly

• Listen actively without interrupting the other

party

• Avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations

• Show respect for each other

17

Tips for Effective Cross Cultural

Communication (contd.)

• 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

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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

Awareness Recognition Adaptation Respect 19

Thank You!