Cross Cultural Communication in Business

Culture defines the lifestyle of a particular region or country. As business has become more global, culture has a huge impact on business activities. Therefore proper understanding of cultural difference and overcoming language problems are the challenges for business executives. It means that people in business must understand the laws, language, customs, business policy and practice and mindset of different cultures. Communication creates network and helps to establish chain both internally and externally.

Business units sell their products and services both domestically and internationally. Proper communication with others helps to understand customers’ need and therefore winning the business. Communicating across cultures effectively improves the productivity and efficiency and promotes better work environment. Moreover, if cultural barriers are reduced, business enterprise can hire skilled people from other cultures and this will enrich business life.

Multi-national organizations hire people from different cultures and train them time to time to adjust with people from different cultures. Employees of such enterprises are skillful to work globally.

Communication across culture is not easy for all. Business managers face difficulties during global business due to variation across cultures. The following guidelines can help to improve cross cultural communication.

For global communication business executive should learn about history, values, food, habit, customs, economy, social view and religion of the culture with home they need to interact. Here they can read books, journals and articles or see video footage on the life style of respective culture. A better study and training on cultures will help business managers to deal with multinationals.

For global communication, there is nothing alternate than a common language. English as a first language is widely practiced around the world. Employees should learn English to ensure successful oral and written communication. Employer can arrange language training on English for the employees to remove language barrier.

During cross culture communication, one should follow the general suggestion: write or speak simply and clearly. The following tips will be helpful to improve communication:

            (1)Use plain and basic English for better understanding to all.

     (2)Be specific to make proper attention.

     (3)Listen carefully with positive approach.

     (4)Avoid slang, phrase and vague words. Do not use words that have multiple meaning.

     (5)Speak slowly and accept feedback.

        During cross cultural communication, it is suggested to non-verbal hints because they have different meaning in different                                                                                                                                      cultures. They can create confusion and misunderstanding if used when people of different cultures communicate. Cross cultural people should have flexibility to understand each other. They should cooperate with each other and ignore unintentional mistakes during communication.