HOW TO COMMUNICATE GLOBALLY AND EFFECTIVELY

AUTHORIZED: ERNEST GUNDLING Training and Development 53.6 (June 1999), p28, Appendix

I. INTRODUCTION
The context of interaction with people in other countries must be carefully adopted in international business environment Technology makes communication easier, but can also be counterproductive in some high context cultures. We need to consider several factors before selecting which technology to use in which context.

I. INTRODUCTION
Example about failing to apply videoconferencing facilities in Thailand subsidiary of an American film. It cost an entire day of employees and Thais had trouble getting used to the new technology. The result is that instead of creating a greater efficiency, this new facility create additional meeting and extra cost

I. INTRODUCTION
Example about changing organizational structural in US headquarter without an official announcement to a customer service staff in Asian representative- Emily Liu. They just sent her an email and automatically changed everything from her contact to her partner without noticing. The result is that she felt disappointed and discouraged as she has to start over. She can leave this office in the future due to this problem

II. CONTEXT IS THE CORE

Context is the core intercultural issue when using communication technologies United States, Canada, Northern European are defined as low-context cultures =>videoconference, an email is usually accepted in person meeting. Asia, Middle East are the high-context cultures => face to face interaction.

II. CONTEXT IS THE CORE

Its important to consider the amount of context through different types of interaction when developing a global communications strategy . The range of possible interaction : informal contact, a physical exchange, nonverbal cues, immediate feedback, voice tone. High context forms are not always better, but its essential to select the communication style most appropriate for the people and purpose involved.

III. CREATING CONTEXT

What frequently works best in a cross-cultural setting is to build context. First, Arranging for a face to face meeting early in the relationship => the parties can agree in using multiple media for regular meetings instead of meeting in person arent possible due to time, distance or expense.

III. CREATING CONTEXT

Second, using the facilitation techniques typically applied in face to face meetings such as videoconference. Thirdly, its essential the context be a joint creation and not something imposed. For example modify the speech and select the material to circulate, another aspect of shared is the time at which communication takes place

III. CREATING CONTEXT

The last one, its also very important that asking the involved parties for their preferred method of communication

III. CREATING CONTEXT

The main aspects to consider when trying to select the appropriate communication technologies: Availability mean that dont put anyone at disadvantage. User skills Cultural variable

III. CREATING CONTEXT

Level of rapport Importance of message Ways of build context A regular pattern Language modification Time windows User choice