Excellence in Business Communication, 13th Edition
Chapter 4. Communication Challenges in a Diverse, Global Marketplace
"Did you know that you listen with cultural ears and see with cultural eyes?
"Do you expect to feel comfortable using English as a second language when writing an email, making a phone call, expressing yourself during a meeting, writing a report, giving a presentation, and so on?
Sherwood Fleming reports.
"My clients often tell me that one of the difficulties they encounter when conducting business internationally is that they don’t know how to quickly build trust.
"We set out to find the most common languages — besides English — spoken at home in every state, based on the US Census Bureau's 2012-2016 American Community Survey estimates.
"When I am asked to explain how my five-step CLEAR method can be helpful to a client in a single sentence, this is what I say: it is a way to build bridges, instead of walls, when communicating across cultures.
"In the world of international business, it's critical to know your words will be understood by people from another country, or it could spell disaster.
"Knowing what you do not know is a sign of wisdom, according to Greek philosopher Socrates.
"After a recent session a client told me that, “You’re a magician.
"Trust is an important issue when working across cultures.
"I tell my clients and seminar participants that discomfort is an unavoidable part of changing how they communicate.
"Law firm Cooney & Conway created a helpful infographic highlighting obscure laws from 11 countries which could land you in hot water if you break them.
"Many commentators suggest that gender diversity in the corporate boardroom improves company performance because of the different points of view and experience it offers.
"Here are my choices for The Best Sites For Learning About The World’s Different Cultures (and are accessible to English Language Learners): .
Kellogg Insight has an interesting perspective on the topic.
Will wearable technologies influence business and business communication?
See how Catalyst, "the leading nonprofit organization with a mission to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion," is helping companies create "workplaces where employees representing every dimension of diversity can thrive.
"Culture shock is the confusion and agitation one encounters when being in a foreign place.
"Wondering what it takes to be inclusive of employees with disabilities?
From their website, "Founded in 2004, the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD) is a collaboration of four leadership organizations: Catalyst, The Executive Leadership Council, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.
Geoff Weinstein blogs at GeoffWeinstein.
Daniel Goleman explains.
See the infographic.
Sally Herships (photo, left) explains.