Globalization and cultural complexities Cross Cultural Communication

Objectives Know how multicultural workforce leads to complexities Understand how cross-cultural complexities may lead to different failures Find ways to deal with these complexities

Globalization: Cross border movement of people, goods and data brings more and more cultures into contact with one another and increases the potential of cross culture communication. ◦ Business Opportunities ◦ Job Opportunities ◦ Improves the contribution of employees in a diverse workforce ◦ Sharing of views and ideas ◦ Talent improvisation ◦ An understanding of diverse market

Blocks to Cultural Communication 1. Ethnocentrism : Inability to accept another culture's world view; "my way is the best." 2. Discrimination : Differential treatment of an individual due to minority status; actual and perceived; e.g., "we just aren't equipped to serve people like that." 3. Stereotyping : Generalizing about a person while ignoring presence of individual difference; e.g., "she's like that because she's Asian – all Asians are nonverbal."

4.Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored and one proceeds as though differences did not exist; e.g., "there's no need to worry about a person's culture 5.Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone should conform to the majority; e.g., "we know what's best for you, if you don't like it you can go elsewhere." 6.Tone Difference : Formal tone change becomes embarrassing and off-putting in some cultures.

Cross-cultural complexities and failure of mergers and acquisitions Failure to adapt and adjust Cultural shock Example: Working on weekends in India Gifting culture Hospitality Manners Taboo topics

Globalization and human mobility Example: Brain drain Working/studying abroad Multicultural workforce and cultural complexities Example: Understanding each other’s culture Many cultures come together

Ways to communicate well globally “When you can present your own ideas clearly, specifically, visually, and most important, contextually – in the context of a deep understanding of another’s paradigms and concerns – you significantly increase the credibility of your ideas….”

Ways to communicate well globally 1. Know your culture well 2. Take interest in other culture 3. Pay attention to the non-verbal cues of other cultures 4. Pay attention to language: words, pitch, tone, etc. 5. At no cost must you make the other person feel that your culture is the best 6. Practice flexibility 7. Keep an unbiased mind, be good listener and observer

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