Cross Cultural Communication

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6 ways to avoid saying:

No I didnt mean to say that! 4/28/12

Need
In todys global business environment,

either we go to the world or the other cultures come to us - Need for a Global Mindset

7000 cultures Direct & Indirect CCC levels Internal or External Cultural intelligence coupled with cross-

cultural communications recipe for success

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Pharmaceutical Company

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Challenges
Language

World almost as many languages as cultures India change of language every 50kms 452 languages

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Non-verbal

Greeting styles, body language, touch, eye contact. Indian Namaste to Japanese bowing

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Unique customs, beliefs & practices

Revlon's expansion in Brazil, faced disaster due to overlook the country's customs and beliefs. Revlon launched a perfume with the aroma of Camellia in the country. Camellia flower is for funeral purpose.

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Challenges (Cond.)
Concept of Time Political Legal

We discuss the issues

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Korean Airlines crashes

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Countries with High Power distance

Arab Countries, Malaysia, South Korea, China, India

Countries with low Power distance

Australia, Canada, US , Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland

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Learnings
Countries with higher power distance than

yours

Learn to read between the lines Show respect to those higher up the ladder Expect to encounter more bureaucracy Give clear and explicit directions

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Learnings
Countries with lower power distance than

yours

Don't expect to be treated with the usual respect you may be used to People will want to get to know you in an informal manner with little protocol or etiquette Be more inclusive in your leadership Involve others in decision making
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High context vs Low context

Graph French(High context) can feel that

Germans(Low context) insult their intelligence by explaining the obvious, while Germans

can feel that French managers provide no direction

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Monochroni c vs
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Monochronic People
View Time as Discrete

Hence, Believe in Doing One Thing at a 4/28/12

Time

Polychronic People
View Time as Continuous

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Verbal Communication

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Gross Translation Errors

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Subtle Distinctions and culturally-based Variations

Please mention two consistent strengths of the applicant ?
First, he has strong feeling of responsibility to achieve objectives. Sometimes we get urgent request to solve critical issues which affect product development plan. Once we assign such task to him, he worked overtime many times until he solves issues. I can't count how many times he helped emergency situation.

During one of our team meetings Please make sure that your team puts in 100% effort if they have been assigned critical task otherwise they can leave early(i.e. 4/28/12 6.30 pm

Communication with Japanese In BUSINESS

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Coca-Colas Name Game

Localization effort by Coca-Cola!

Ke-kou-ke-la

bite the wax tadpole !!

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Coca-Colas Name Game

After understanding 40,000 Chinese characters!
ko-kou-ko-le

Happiness in the mouth !

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Branding misinterpretations
Understand the local language Avoid slang, Keep it Simple..

even if it sells-well in your culture

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Coors Loose talk

Turn it Loose !!

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KFCs bite
Eat your fingers off!

Finger lickin' good !!

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Importance of Time IN cultures

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Non Verbal Communication

Non Verbal is one of the key aspects of

communication that can accent, complement or substitute a verbal message.

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Non Verbal Communication Touch

An African-American male goes into a

convenience store recently taken over by new Korean immigrants. He gives a $20 bill for his purchase to Mrs Cho who is cashier and waits for his change. He is upset when his change is put down on the counter in front of him. Hugs are between those of opposite gender.

USA Handshake between same-sex and

In Islamic culture hugs and hand holding between the same sex is appropriate. 4/28/12

Non Verbal Communication Touch

Many Asians dont touch the head.

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Non Verbal Communication Touch

Islamic and Hindu cultures generally

dont approve of any touching between genders. Typically touching with the left hand is considered as a social insult.

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Non Verbal Communication Eye Contact

In western cultures, eye contact indicates degree of attention or interest. They see direct eye to eye contact as positive. Other countries such as Japan avoid eye contact to show respect.

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How many of us have played Dumb

Charades?

And actually what is our in general hit rate

at the game?

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Gestures and Postures

Hand Sign Smile in thailand Consider the following actions and note

cultural differences:
i. ii.

Bowing (not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in Japan) Slouching (rude in most Northern European areas)

iii. Hands in pocket (disrespectful in Turkey) iv. Sitting with legs crossed (offensive in 4/28/12

Ghana, Turkey)

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