| Today’s governments, organisations and | | | | get business done, it can and does lead to poor |
| companies are dealing more and more in a global | | | | performance and lost deals. Greater understanding of |
| scenario. We are no longer constrained by borders or | | | | intercultural communication differences, manners, |
| distance and as a result globalization has meant a | | | | etiquette, protocol and communication styles certainly |
| fundamental change in who, where and why we do | | | | leads to a much higher probability of achieving |
| business. The people that make these organisations | | | | business goals. |
| tick, from the workers, to bosses to suppliers, are | | | | Ultimately intercultural communication today means |
| increasingly based in remote locations in foreign | | | | getting a competitive edge. Why? We all know that |
| countries or drawn from a rich mix of cultural | | | | business today is highly competitive and fast |
| backgrounds. The need for effective and clear | | | | changing. People need to get it right, and get it right |
| intercultural communication is becoming vital in | | | | the first time. Whether someone is looking for a new |
| securing success in today’s globalized workplace. | | | | supplier, giving a presentation, or negotiating a |
| What is intercultural communication? In short, it has | | | | contract intercultural communication can, does and will |
| many definitions but fundamentally it looks at how | | | | play an important role. It impacts our ability to |
| people, from differing cultural/national backgrounds, | | | | communicate effectively within a culture as well as |
| endeavour to communicate or work together. It | | | | how we are perceived. |
| draws on areas within academia such as cultural | | | | Working in the globalized world economy is proving |
| anthropology, sociology and business studies to | | | | to have a positive effect on individuals and |
| provide it with a basic framework. Notable academics | | | | companies. As people are forced to think outside the |
| that have become specialized in intercultural | | | | box they develop greater interpersonal skills, flex |
| communication are Hall, Hofstede and Trompenaars. | | | | their creative muscle and learn news ways of doing |
| At its foundation, intercultural communication’s | | | | things. In conclusion, the need for intercultural |
| objectives are to establish and understand how | | | | communication skill is obvious – we are all working |
| people from different cultures behave, think or do. | | | | in an interconnected global economy and it is |
| Once this is appreciated it is then possible to help | | | | important to build good relationships with people from |
| people overcome intercultural differences and make | | | | other cultures. This leads to better business. |
| for a better (working) environment. | | | | For those interested in learning a bit more about |
| Within the context of the globalized business or | | | | intercultural communication, why not try some of |
| organisation, intercultural communication looks at how | | | | these books? |
| people communicate (verbally and non-verbally), | | | | Mind Your Manners (Managing Business Cultures in |
| manage, work together, approach deadlines, | | | | Europe) |
| negotiate, meet, greet, build relationships, etc. These | | | | By John Mole, Nicholas Brealey Publishing |
| topics are becoming much more relevant now on | | | | Riding The Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural |
| two fronts. 1) for businesses with a mix of cultures | | | | Diversity in Global Business |
| working together and 2) for businesses wanting to | | | | By Fons Trompenaars, Nicholas Brealey Publishing |
| trade successfully abroad. In both situations if | | | | Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. |
| individuals are unaware of how best to get along and | | | | |