Overview of Intercultural Communications
As more and more companies are going “global” it is important to understand and learn about the cultures and norms of the area in which the company is working. Technology has made it possible to have a borderless society, one without boundaries. While this is wonderful in the possibilities it presents, it also creates challenges for corporations who operate and move in a transnational environment. Employees that relocate will find it necessary to not just learn about new cultures, they must live and work by different rules and customs. Companies must help employees and partners to establish a respectful, fair and friendly working relationship. Corporate communicators must also learn and adapt to these foreign, new workplaces. They must aid in the transition from one set of rules and policies to new and different ones.
What it means to me
Over the years I have been fortunate to work with a variety of people from many places across the globe. Personally, I have always found the cultural differences to be fascinating and wonderful. Learning about another person’s daily life and how their culture influences their lives is enlightening. It is also very educational to see how others view the norms and customs of the U.S., Pennsylvania and in particular western PA. Seeing these things through the eyes of someone else can be very revealing. I certainly wish I had spent more time learning about why I do some of the things I do! After studying intercultural communications, I must say that it is far better to learn about other cultures and customs before trying to establish a working relationship. Mistakes should be avoided and ignorance is not an acceptable excuse.
Links to more information
I have included some of the reading I did to research the topic below. I found the “Ten commandments” interesting and also found them to be a good reference guide when confronted with a need to communicate interculturally.
I was surprised to see that technology is considered a barrier to intercultural communication. It was something I had not considered when looking at the topic.
Finally, the last article is a brief but well-written example of what exactly intercultural communication is and what it means in today’s fast paced environment. I hope you enjoy looking at this blog and have a chance to review the readings.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Ten-Commandments-of-Intercultural-Communication&id=120247
http://ezinearticles.com/?Barriers-to-Intercultural-Communication&id=384188
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/intercultural-communiction-global-workplace.html
Because of golablization,now it is important to every employee to know the intercultural communication.
ReplyDeleteIn some companies I worked,sometimes HR department hired consultants and provided the intercultural communication training.In the courses,consultants provided managers with specialized knowledge and skills in identifying, analyzing, and meeting the challenges of effective communication in a multicultural society.
Chieh Chang
Through this study, it was very interesting to realize that various countries interpret different works and gestures to mean VERY different things. For example, in our project we learned that it is not a positive gesture to give the "thumbs up" to someone in UAE. This gesture actually has a negative connotation to it. Furthermore, methods of conducting meetings can be very different. It is imperative for organizations to have a clear view of the country's culture and norms before they attempt to conduct business with them. Not knowing so, could be detrimental consequences to a deal.
ReplyDeleteThe below website provides some more tips, some already stated above, to prepare to take business to the next level through intercultural communicatios.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-27-2006-103686.asp
Carrie Jenkins