Chapter 3 Business

Communication & The Global Context

by

Syed Maqsood Ahmed

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Concept of CultureCulture refers to the behavioral

characteristic typical of a group. Intercultural communication is a process of sending & receiving messages B/W people whose cultural background lead to interpret signs differently, verbally or nonverbally.

Effective intercultural communication opens up business opportunities around the world & improves the contribution of employees in a diverse workforce.

Examples: IBM, Telenor, Microsoft, SEIMENS…… 2Syed Maqsood Ahmed

Advantages of Multicultural Workforce

Communication among people of diverse cultural backgrounds & life experiences is not always easy but doing it successfully can create tremendous advantages.

Even if you never visit another country or transact business on global scale, you have to interact with co-workers from different cultures.

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Advantages of Multicultural Workforce

Employees form different cultures offer broader spectrum of viewpoint & ideas help companies to understand & identify with diverse markets.

Your skill to recognize different cultural can open up business opportunities through out the globe.

It enables a company to have a broadest possible pool of talent from around the globe.

Like every country opens its immigrations.

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Cultural Differences Hello style in different countries and even in

different areas within the country.Bow down, hand shake, hugs, kisses, Thanks styles. Offer to eat something stylesDate styleName style

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National Cultural Variables

1.Education2.Law & Regulations3.Economics 4.Politics 5.Religion 6.Social Norms7.Languages

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EducationManagement education including training in

business communication is more prevalent in the United States than in other countries of the world, some countries have no academic courses in communication courses

TQM courses is a must in Japan.In Europe certificates & Diplomas.In Pakistan & India Degrees.

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Law & Regulations

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In developed and developing nations various government law & regulation affect business communication & sale of products.

Example, advertising directed at children is restricted in United States, Canada.

like cigarettes is restricted in Europe and money spent on advertisement is limited.

Use of foreign languages in advertisement is restricted in France, Quebec & Mexico.

Iran Scarf's,.

Availability of capital & the standard of living per capita vary from nation to nation.

The opportunity to borrow money, interest rates, rate of inflation and the exchange rates influence business & country’s ability to communicate concerning that business.

Like prices of Oil set by OPEC in some countries while others set their own prices.

UAE free ports.Others have barriers .

Economics

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PoliticsPolitics also effects business

communication A company’s willingness to do business in

an unclear political environment, or in country like where government is instable difficult.

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ReligionIn connection with religion there is great

need for tolerance.One should be very careful religious beliefs

in foreign countries . Although some basic beliefs overlap, there are major differences that if not understood can result even in personal harm.

Alcohol, concept of Halal & Haram, Religious holidays,

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Social NormsBeyond the immediate family a bond may exist

between persons, based on caste, class, age or even special interests. One should be aware of a nation’s social norms.

A nation’s social norms affected in various ways through environmental constraints that are

1.Education2.Law & Regulations3.Economics4.Politics5.Religion

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Language Everyone agreed on the point that the knowing of

the language of your host country is the most significant contributor to effective & improved communication, on an individual & business level.

Both the sender & receiver have to understand the common language for successful communication.

English is world knowing language but it would be a great edge if you know the basic vocabulary of native language of country you are visiting for business or job purposes.

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Individual Cultural VariablesAll people value their individual freedom.

Often this personal freedom is expressed in one’s own ethic diversity.

Thus within each culture there are individual differences in verbal & nonverbal communication.

These differences can be expressed through 1.Time2.Space 3.Food 4.Acceptable Dress5.Manners 6.Decision Making

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Time Knowing cultural perceptions of time helps

you understanding personal responses Pakistan, India:You may wait an hour & your host will not

show disrespectUK, Germany:English are time precise rarely you have to

wait for an appointment.Middle East: people take afternoon naps close business

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Space That means how close may strangers stand to you Saudi Arabia or UAE:Stay close and even breath brushes you in conversationPakistan or India:USA, Europe: Want more room while talking to each others if you stay

close they consider you as rude, pushy or overbearing.Food: Pakistan 2. China Saudi Arab Europe

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Acceptable DressIt is better to ask about the mode of dress for

an occasion in your host country than to risk making any mistake

Pakistan: Colours or Types of dresses Europe:Middle East:China & Japan:Scotland:

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Manners Some cultural researchers suggest that you observe

children in foreign cultures because by watching them you can learn the behavioural habits of elders.

Pakistan:Europe:Middle East:

Decision Making :So decision making may differ from individual to individual in various countries. We can look in example of following countries.

Pakistan:America:Middle East:

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