Within the current global business environment, company management is often faced with alleviating multicultural misunderstandings and perceptions. The services or products a company provides are often influenced by the culture from which they derive. International business partners may overestimate their commonalities in their desire for a profitable company outcome. In the quest for clarity and continuity, businesses may overlook these cultural differences as a potential resource or opportunity for growth. Understanding the cultural context in which global business occurs sets the stage for truly relevant communication and relationship building. In addition, a sensitive understanding of cultural differences tends to lead to increased self-awareness and better business practices in general.
To fully exploit the importance of culture in your international business ventures try incorporating the following simple 5-step program TODAY:
- Think outside the box.
Your company culture may dictate some limitations of which you are unaware. By training management to explore and appreciate internal cultural differences within its own workforce, it will better recognize these differences when they occur on the global stage. Juxtaposition of ideas often leads to innovation.
- Open your eyes.
Doing business worldwide involves embracing globalization and cultural diversity. In the international arena, communication is much more than words. Learn to recognize your client's culturally based body language and facial expressions. With training, these physical clues can become your business cue to action.
- Dovetail commonalities and differences.
It's a good start to be able to recognize cultural differences within a global business setting. It's even better to communicate that you appreciate the importance of culture, are aware of these differences, and offer common ground to overcome them.
- Allow for misunderstandings.
We may come from different parts of the world but we all make mistakes. Don't be afraid to sum up your client's position in a more basic way and ask for confirmation. A French managing director may use the English word "eventually" when referring to future business plans. How unfortunate that "éventuellement" in French means "possibly"!
- Yes we can do business.
By learning about and appreciating cultural differences in an informed way, you tell your clients that you can work together successfully. Whether working with an international client, creating an overseas subsidiary or forming a joint venture with a local business, appreciating cultural diversity is key to a successful outcome and a sustainable business model.
It's important to be able to really look at a company's specific needs when it comes to unleashing the potential of cultural understanding within your business. It takes a very specfic plan to develop cross cultural communication, the right communication structure and skill-set.To find out more about how, click here.