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Business Communication: Process and Product, Mary Ellen Guffey, South-Western. 1

2. Increasing Importance of Multicultural Communication
Technological advancements
General global Interconnectivity
Globalization of markets
Multicultural workforce
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3. Understanding Culture
How is culture like the program of a computer?
Society, gender, race, age, religion, and other factors control our reactions and behavior.
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4. Characteristics of Culture
Culture is learned.
Cultures are inherently logical.
Culture forms our self-identity and community.
Culture combines the visible and the invisible.
Culture is dynamic.
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5. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Context
High-context cultures (in Japan, China, and Arab countries) tend to be relational, collectivist, intuitive, and contemplative.
Low-context cultures (in North America, Scandinavia, and Germany) tend to be logical, linear, and action-oriented.
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6. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Individualism
High-context cultures prefer group values, duties, and decisions.
Low-context cultures tend to prefer individual initiative, self-assertion, personal achievement.
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7. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Formality
Other cultures may prefer more formality.
North Americans place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules.
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8. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Communication Style
High-context cultures rely on nonverbal cues and total picture to communicate. Meanings embedded at many social levels.
Low-context cultures emphasize words, straightforwardness, openness. People tend to be informal, impatient, literal.
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9. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Time Orientation
Unlimited and never-ending in some cultures. Relaxed attitude toward time.
Precious to North Americans. Correlates with productivity, efficiency, and money.
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10. High-Context and
Low-Context Cultures
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11. Improving Communication With Multicultural Audiences
Oral Messages
Learn foreign phrases.
Use simple English.
Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
Observe eye messages.
Encourage accurate feedback.
Check frequently for comprehension.
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12. Improving Communication With Multicultural Audiences
Oral Messages
Accept blame.
Listen without interrupting.
Remember to smile!
Follow up in writing.
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13. Improving Communication With Multicultural Audiences
Written Messages
Adapt to local formats.
Use short sentences and short paragraphs.
Avoid ambiguous expressions.
Strive for clarity.
Use correct grammar.
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14. Improving Communication With Multicultural Audiences
Written Messages
Cite numbers carefully.
Accommodate reader in organization, tone, and style.
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15. Making Ethical Decisions Across Borders
Broaden your view of other cultures.
Avoid reflex judgments.
Find alternatives.
Refuse business if options violate your basic values.
Conduct all business openly.
Don’t rationalize shady decisions.
Resist lawful but unethical strategies.
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16. Tips for Capitalizing on Workforce Diversity
Seek training.
Understand the value of differences.
Don’t expect conformity.
Create zero tolerance for bias and stereotypes.
Learn about your cultural self.
Make fewer assumptions.
Build on similarities.
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17. Proverbs Reflect Culture
What do these proverbs tell us about this culture and its values?
U.S. Proverbs
Waste not, want not.
He who holds the gold makes the rules.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
The early bird gets the worm.
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18. Proverbs Reflect Culture
Chinese Proverbs
Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.
Man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it.
Give a man a fish, and he will live a day; give him a net, and he will live a lifetime.
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19. Proverbs Reflect Culture
Other Proverbs
No one is either rich or poor who has not helped himself to be so. (German)
Words do not make flour. (Italian)
Wealth that comes in at the door unjustly, goes out at the windows. (Egyptian)
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20. Comparing U.S. and Foreign Views
How U.S. Persons How Foreigners View View Themselves U.S. Persons
Informal, friendly, casual Undisciplined, too personal
Egalitarian Insensitive to status
Direct, aggressive Blunt, rude, oppressive
Efficient Opportunistic, obsessed with time
Goal-/achievement-oriented Promise more than they deliver
Profit-oriented Materialistic
Resourceful, ingenious Deals more important than people
Individualistic, progressive Self-absorbed
Dynamic, identify with work Driven
Enthusiastic, prefer hard sell Deceptive, fearsome
Open Weak, untrustworthy
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21. Diversity Demographics Quiz
1. By 2050, what percent of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups?
a. 47 percent c. 67 percent
b. 57 percent d. 77 percent
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22. Diversity Demographics Quiz
1. By 2050, what percent of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups?
a. 47 percent c. 67 percent
b. 57 percent d. 77 percent
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23. Diversity Demographics Quiz
2. The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960s is the growing number of _______ in the workforce.
a. Hispanics c. African-Americans
b. seniors (65+) d. women
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24. Diversity Demographics Quiz
2. The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960s is the growing number of _______ in the workforce.
a. Hispanics c. African-Americans
b. seniors (65+) d. women
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25. Diversity Demographics Quiz
3. Of the 43 million Americans who have disabilities, 20 million are of working age (16-64). How many of this group are unemployed?
a. 10 million c. 14 million
b. 12 million d. 16 million
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26. Diversity Demographics Quiz
3. Of the 43 million Americans who have disabilities, 20 million are of working age (16-64). How many of this group are unemployed?
a. 10 million c. 14 million
b. 12 million d. 16 million
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27. Diversity Demographics Quiz
4. By the year 2050, what percent of the workforce will be 55 years of age or older?
a. 15 percent c. 40 percent
b. 25 percent d. 50 percent
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28. Diversity Demographics Quiz
4. By the year 2050, what percent of the workforce will be 55 years of age or older?
a. 15 percent c. 40 percent
b. 25 percent d. 50 percent
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29. Diversity Demographics Quiz
5. What percent of the total U.S. population speaks a language other than English at home?
a. 4 percent c. 24 percent
b. 14 percent d. 34 percent
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30. Diversity Demographics Quiz
5. What percent of the total U.S. population speaks a language other than English at home?
a. 4 percent c. 24 percent
b. 14 percent d. 34 percent
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31. Diversity Demographics Quiz
6. What are the two most racially and ethnically diverse states in the U.S.?
a. Florida, New York c. New York, California
b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California
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32. Diversity Demographics Quiz
6. What are the two most racially and ethnically diverse states in the U.S.?
a. Florida, New York c. New York, California
b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California
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33. Diversity Demographics Quiz
7. What are the two least ethnically and racially diverse states?
a. North, South Dakota c. Maine, Vermont
b. Wyoming, Nevada d. Arkansas, Illinois
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34. Diversity Demographics Quiz
7. What are the two least ethnically and racially diverse states?
a. North, South Dakota c. Maine, Vermont
b. Wyoming, Nevada d. Arkansas, Illinois
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35. Diversity Demographics Quiz
8. What percent of U.S. working-age women are in the labor market?
a. 55 percent c. 75 percent
b. 65 percent d. 85 percent
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36. Diversity Demographics Quiz
8. What percent of U.S. working-age women are in the labor market?
a. 55 percent c. 75 percent
b. 65 percent d. 85 percent
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37. End
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