Culture

Culture

Defined as the complex system of values, traits, morals, and customs shared by a society, region or country

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the superiority of one's own culture. This natural attitude is found in all cultures. Causes us to judge others by our own values.. A North American businessperson in an Arab or Asian country might be upset at time spent over coffee or other social rituals before any "real" business is transacted. But in these cultures personal relationships must be established and nurtured before earnest talks may proceed.

Tolerance

Tolerance means learning about beliefs and practices different from our own and appreciating them. Being open-minded and receptive to new experiences. Best way is to practice empathy (seeing the world through another person's eyes) Means being less judgmental and more eager to seek common ground.

Benefits of Diverse Workforce

A diverse staff is better able to respond to the increasingly diverse customer base in local and world markets. Suffer fewer discrimination lawsuits, fewer union clashes and less government regulatory action. Diversity is a critical bottom-line business strategy to improve employee relationships and to increase productivity. Developing a diverse staff that can work together cooperatively is one of the biggest challenges facing business organizations today.

Communication Style

Americans and Germans - words are very important, especially in contracts and negotiations. High context countries place more emphasis on the surrounding context than on the words describing a negotiation. Greek may see a contract as a formal statement announcing the intention to build a business for the future. Japaneses may treat contracts as statements of intention, and they assume changes will be made as projects develop. Mexicans may treat contracts as artistic exercises of what might be accomplished in an ideal world. They do not necessarily expect contracts to apply consistently in the real world. An Arab may be insulted by merely mentioning a contract; a person's word is more binding. North Americans value straightforwardness, are suspicious of evasiveness, and distrust people who might have a "hidden agenda" or who "play their cards too close to the chest." North Americans tend to be uncomfortable with silence and impatient with delays. Asian businesspeople have learned that the longer they drag out negotiations, the more concessions impatient North Americans are likely to make.

Individualism

European Americans - African Americans - less so individualistic. An attitude of independence and freedom from control. North Americans (low context) tend to value individualism. They believe that initiative and self-assertion result in personal achievement. They believe in individual action and personal responsibility, desire much freedom in their personal lives.

South American African South European Arabian Asian

Higher Context -China, Japan, and Arab countries - assume that the listener does not need much background information.. Leader are more likely to be intuitive and contemplative. They may not take words literally - go on Nonverbal cues. Communication cues are transmitted by posture, voice inflection, gestures, and facial expression. Ten to prefer indirect verbal interaction Tend to understand meanings embedded at many sociocultural levels Are generally more proficient in reading nonverbal cues Value group membership Rely more on context and feeling Talk around point, avoid saying no Communicate in sometimes simple, sometimes ambiguous messages Understand visual messages readily

Collectivist

Latinos are group oriented. Emphasize membership in organizations, groups and teams Encourage acceptance of group values, duties and decisions. Resit independence because it fosters competition and confrontation instead of consensus. Asian societies are group oriented - individualism and self assertion and individual decision-making are discouraged. The nail that sticks up gets pounded down.(Japanese) Business decisions are made by all who have competence in the matter under discussion. China prefers groups rather than on the individual - prefers a consultative management style over an autocratic style.

Written Communication with Intercultural Audience

Learn how documents are formatted and how letters are addressed and developed in the intended reader's country. Observe titles and rank - be polite. Hire a translator - If your document is important. Use short sentences and short paragraphs. Sentences with fewer than 20 words and paragraphs with fewer than 8 lines are more readable. Avoid ambiguous writing - Include relative pronouns (that, which, who) for clarity in introducing clauses. Stay away from contractions. Avoid idioms (once in a blue moon), slang, acronyms (ASAP), jargon and sports references. Use action specific words (buy a printer instead of get a printer) Cite numbers carefully - In international trade - learn and use the metric system. In citing numbers - use figures instead of spelling them out. Convert dollar figures into local currency. Spell out the month when writing dates

Swiss German Northern European American Australian

Lower Context - (North America, Scandinavia and Germany) depend little on the context of a situation to convey meaning. Messages must be explicit and listeners rely exclusively on the written or spoken word. Tend to be logical, analytical, and action oriented. Business communicators stress clearly articulated messages that they consider to be objective, professional and efficient. Words are taken literally. Tend to prefer direct verbal interaction Ten to understand meaning at only one sociocultural level Area generally less proficient in reading nonverbal cues Value individualism Rely more on logic Say no directly Communicate in highly structured, detailed messages with literal meanings Give authority to written information

Time Orientation

North Americans consider time a precious commodity.. They correlate time with productivity, efficiency and money. Keeping people waiting is considered rude and a waste of time. South Americans are more relaxed with time and may keep you waiting. People in Western Cultures tend to be more analytical, scheduling appointments in a 15-30 minute intervals. Eastern cultures plan fewer but longer meetings.

Stereotypes

Our perceptions of other cultures sometimes cause us to form stereotypes about groups of people. A stereotype is an oversimplified perception of a behavioral pattern or characteristic applied to entire groups. Example: The Swiss are hardworking, efficient, and neat Germans are formal, reserved and blunt Americans are loud, friendly and impatient Canadians are polite, trusting, and tolerant Asians are gracious, humble, and inscrutable These may or may not always be correct, look beneath the surface stereotypes and labels to discover individual personal qualities.

Context

Refers to the stimuli, environment, or ambience surrounding an event.

Power Distance (Geert Hofstede)

The Power Distance Index measures how people in different societies cope with inequality - how they relate to more powerful individuals. In high power cultures, subordinates expect formal hierarchies and embrace relatively authoritarian, paternalistic power relationships. In low power distance cultures - subordinates consider themselves as equals of their supervisors. They confidently voice opinions and participate in decision making. Relationships between high-powered individuals and people with little power tend to be more democratic, egalitarian and information in these cultures. Western cultures are more relaxed about social status and the appearance of power. Deference is not paid to those of wealth, position, seniority, or age. In Asian countries - these characteristics are to be respected.

Oral Communication with Intercultural Audience

Use simple English - speak in short sentences (under 20 words) with familiar short words. Eliminate puns, sport and military references, slang, and jargon. Avoid idiomatic expressions "burn the midnight oil" Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Avoid fast speech and don't raise your voice. Overpunctuate with pauses and full stops. Always write numbers for all to see. Encourage accurate feedback - ask probing questions, and encourage the listener to paraphrase what you say. Don't assume a yes, a nod, or a smile indicates comprehension or assent. Check frequently for comprehension - Make one point at a time, pausing to check for comprehension. Don't proceed to B until A has been grasped. Observe eye messages - be alert to a glazed expression or wandering eyes. (Tells you your listener is lost) Accept blame - if a misunderstanding results, graciously accept the responsibility for not making clear. Listen without interrupting. North Americans are accused of talking to much and listening too little. Smile when appropriate - The single most understood and most useful form of communication. In some cultures, excessive smiling may seem insincere. Follow up in writing - Confirm the results and agreements with written messages - if necessary in the local language.