From one of my cross cultural communication training program modules

1. Cross Cultural Communication
Building Stronger Businesses Across Boundaries
BABU P GEORGE

2. Ingredients for CCC
 What is culture?
 Classification of cultures (Hofstede’s)
 What is cross cultural communication (CCC)?
 Importance of CCC in modern business
 Understanding different cultures
 Adapting to different cultures
 Avoiding cultural miscommunication
 Framing your verbal and written communication
 Globally accepted practices
 “What did you mean?”

3. What is culture?
Culture is defined by your :
 Race
 Ethnicity
 Gender
 Class
 Religion
 Language
 Country of origin
 Geographic region

4. Classification of cultures
According to Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimension theory, cultures around the world are divided
according to:
 Power Distance Index
 Individualism vs Collectivism
 Uncertainty Avoidance Index
 Masculinity vs Femininity
 Long term orientation vs Short term orientation (Added after new survey done by Michael
Harris Bond,1991)
Based on study done by Geert
Hofstede in 1967-1973
 Indulgence vs Restraint (Based on latest survey by Michael Minkov, 2010)

5. Cross Cultural Communication
CCC relates to-
 Framing
 Nurturing
 Enhancing
relationship with people who belong to
different culture than yours.
A good cross cultural training will ensure empowers
a person with:
 Knowledge
 Understanding
 & skills
he needs to communicate and cooperate
effectively across cultural barriers

6. Importance of CCC in
modern day business
 Creating respect for diversity and thereby creating more conducive and
welcoming environment
 Helps in selecting the most effective way of communication with others
 Willingness to meet the cultural needs of employees will motivate the
whole team
 Tolerating the differences and embracing them will make the business
relations go a long way
 Will help in understanding religious, gender, generational and socio-economic
differences
 Assist in knowing how others want to be treated and not always
following the “Golden Rule”

7. Understanding different cultures
 Your right may be totally wrong for another culture
 Do your homework before you go
 Avoid stereotyping
 Be flexible, honest, listen and ask questions
 Be patient, polite, open-minded and open-hearted
 Understand the complexity of the situation
 Respect others’ culture and create respect for yourself

8. Adopting to different
cultures
 Culture Shock: Feeling uncomfortable finding oneself
in a new culture
 Learning from locals, friends and coworkers about
dos and don’ts of the new culture
 Making mistakes and let others make mistakes
 When in Rome, …ask questions!
 Treat them as they want you to treat them, not as you
want to be treated
 Readjusting lifestyle and habits to adapt to a new
culture
 Finding and making new friends and business
connections

9. Resolving cultural
miscommunication
 Be comfortable dealing with conflict
 Be committed to resolving disputes close
to the source
 Resolve disputes based on interests
before rights and power
 Learn from experience with conflicts.
(Cutcher-Gershenfeld and Kochan)

10. Avoiding Cultural
Miscommunication
 Find a common ground
 Developing proper informational
context
 Develop a high trust level taking time
 Have good quality of information and
provide the same
 Have the humility to apologize and
explain

11. Framing verbal and written
communication
 Use proper salutation techniques (Mr., Ms., Dr., Prof., Sir,
Madam., etc.)
 Know country-specific rules of shake-hands, hugs, pats and
kisses
 In doubt?- ASK!!!
 Know the local way of greeting people and giving reply to the
greetings
 Check your grammar
 Be specific

12. Framing verbal and written
communication
 Do not BCC
 Use a clear subject matter
 Be very cautious about CC
 Use simple language
 Do not use all CAPS and unnecessary BOLD or colorful text
 If something needs immediate attention, pick up the phone
 Use a proper ending and a signature

13. What
Brits
Mean!

14. When in Russia!!

15. Globally accepted practices
 Greet in the local way or just say “Hello”
 Shake hands (Wait for a woman to extend her hand first)
 Wearing formal dress in the first business meeting
 Smile

16. Did you
mean…?
 Speak clearly
 Clarify politely
 Do not use slangs
 Do not use idioms and
phrases
 Do use simple language
 Know that same word can
mean different things

17. Some
common hand
gestures
around the
world and
their
meanings!

18. Don’t forget
your
company’s
mission and
vision!