Scribd
Upload
36 views29 pages

Communicating in A World of Diversity: Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 1

The document discusses communicating in a diverse world and intercultural communication. It covers opportunities and advantages of diversity as well as challenges. Topics include enhancing sensitivity to culture, recognizing variations, and adapting communication skills for a global business environment.

Uploaded by

Osama Muzamil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views29 pages

Communicating in A World of Diversity: Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 1

The document discusses communicating in a diverse world and intercultural communication. It covers opportunities and advantages of diversity as well as challenges. Topics include enhancing sensitivity to culture, recognizing variations, and adapting communication skills for a global business environment.

Uploaded by

Osama Muzamil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 29

Communicating

in a World of Diversity

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 1


Communication
in a Diverse World
• Diversity
– Individual characteristics
– Individual experiences
• Intercultural communication
– Cultural backgrounds
– Cultural differences

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 2


Opportunities in a Global
Marketplace
• New customers
• New labor sources
• New job possibilities

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 3


Advantages of a Diverse
Workforce
• Connect with customers
• Expand talent pool

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 4


Challenges of Intercultural
Communication
• Language, nonverbal signals,
perception patterns, values and beliefs
– Communicating with employees
– Motivating employees
– Promoting harmony and cooperation

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 5


Enhancing Sensitivity to
Culture and Diversity
• Understanding the concept of culture
• Overcoming ethnocentrism and
stereotyping
• Recognizing variations in a diverse
world.
• Adapting to U.S. business culture

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 6


The Concept of Culture

• Shared system
– Beliefs
– Symbols
– Attitudes
– Values
– Expectations
– Norms

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 7


Characteristics of Cultures

• Automatic
• Coherent
• Complete

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 8


Negative Cultural Attitudes

• Ethnocentrism
• Xenophobia
• Stereotyping

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 9


Cultural Pluralism

• Avoiding assumptions
• Avoiding judgments
• Acknowledging distinctions

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 10


Recognizing Variations
in a Diverse World
• Contextual • Age
• Legal and ethical • Gender
• Religion
• Social
• Ability
• Nonverbal

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 11


Cultural Context

• High-context and low-context


– Decision-making practices
– Problem-solving techniques
– Negotiating styles

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 12


Legal and Ethical Behavior

• Seek common ground


• Withhold judgment
• Send honest messages
• Respect differences

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 13


Social Behavior Differences

• Work and success


• Roles and status
• Use of manners
• Concepts of time

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 14


Nonverbal Differences
• Greetings and touching
• Personal space
• Facial expressions
• Eye contact
• Posture
• Formality
© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 15
Age Differences

• Types of culture
– Youth-oriented
– Senior-oriented
• Cultural associations
– Power
– Respect
– Freedom

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 16


Gender Differences

• Existing workplace cultures


• Communication styles

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 17


Religious Differences

• Personal beliefs
• Inclusive workplaces

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 18


Ability Differences

• Assistive technologies
– Customers
– Colleagues

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 19


Adapting to
U.S. Business Culture
• Individualism
• Equality
• Privacy and personal space
• Time and schedules
• Religion
• Communication style

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 20


Improving Intercultural
Communication Skills
• Study other cultures and languages
• Respect communication styles
• Speak and write clearly
• Listen carefully
• Use interpreters or translators
• Help others adapt to your culture

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 21


Studying Other Cultures
• Social customs
• Clothing and food
• Political patterns
• Religious and folk beliefs
• Economics and business
• Ethics, values, and laws

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 22


Learning Languages

• Facilitate communication
• Promote business relationships

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 23


Respecting Communication
Preferences
• Degree of formality
• Level of directness
• Writing or speaking

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 24


Writing Clearly
• Use simple, clear language
• Be concise (brief)
• Use transitional elements
• Address correspondence properly
• Cite numbers/dates carefully
• Avoid slang, idioms, and jargon
• Avoid humor or popular culture references

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 25


Intercultural Conversations

• Speak slowly and clearly


• Rephrase as needed
• Seek feedback
• Don’t patronize
• Double check for agreement

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 26


Listening Carefully

• Learn vocal patterns


• Show respect
• Ask questions

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 27


Using Interpreters or
Translators
• Human beings
– Interpretation
– Cultural context
– Non-verbal cues
• Software
– Translation
– Words and phrases
– Gist of the message

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 28


Helping Others Adapt

• Speaking and listening


– Conference calls
– Face-to-face conversations
• Reading and writing
– Intranet sites
– Email and instant messaging

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 3 - 29

You might also like