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
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