Cross cultural communication skills are ever important In today’s business world as it’s likely that you’ll interact with global suppliers, clients and colleagues. It’s just as likely that you’ll have employees from a wide range of cultures on staff. While this sort of globalization brings new opportunities to your business, it also brings the potential for new misunderstandings. To alleviate misunderstandings and keep your competitive edge, you need cross-cultural education.

It takes more than just good will to communicate effectively across cultures; you need the kind of detail that only a study of the culture reveals. Cross-cultural communication education and training can provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the cultures you move in, giving you solid cross-cultural communication skills. Once you understand the differences and similarities across cultures, you can tailor your message to avoid misunderstandings.

In cross-cultural education and training, expect to learn:

1. Why words and body language don’t always seem to match in cross-cultural business settings;

2. How to use cross-cultural communication skills effectively;

3. The way different cultures view time, deadlines and rank; and

4. How to use culture-specific etiquette to make the best impression.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose cross-cultural training programs that focus on both verbal communication and body language

Just as the way you use your words is culturally-conditioned, the way you hold your body is, too. When you interact with other cultures, you may confuse someone else's sign of respect as disrespect, or vice versa.

I recommend: Business Training Works includes both verbal and non-verbal communication in its courses. Supplement a verbal communication or business protocol class with a Cross-Cultural Body Language seminar offered by Ewing Communications. People Going Global specializes in the “Dual Perspective” model, showing you your own culture, while teaching you about another.

Find cross-cultural communication education specific to your needs

If you prefer to target and train to specific needs, rather than focusing on overall communication, you can find classes that focus on everything from management issues to travel.

I recommend: At the Intercultural Management Institute, choose from a range of cross-cultural course offerings that target specific skills and situations. If you need something else, you can inquire about custom training options. Graybridge Malkam offers courses designed for those traveling abroad for business.

Include etiquette in your cross-cultural communication training

Communication includes more than just verbal communication and the way you conduct business meetings. It carries over into etiquette, as well. Understanding another culture's etiquette rules gains you respect and helps you decode social behaviors that may at first look mysterious.

I recommend: Manners for Business provides a course in international business etiquette, including country-specific seminars. Its course includes a meal, at which your employees will be coached in culture-specific dining etiquette. Manners International offers a multi-day International Protocol and Etiquette Seminar. Complete the contact form for information on attending. The company also offers an online course on table manners, if you just need to understand dining etiquette.

Choose cross-cultural education and training you can run

If you prefer to have more control over your training, purchase cross-cultural training materials to use on-site.

I recommend: Purchase the package Cross Cultural Competence Training to help your employees better understand cross-cultural business relationships. Circles of Excellence sells Gayle Cotton’s multi-media training program "5 Keys to Successful Cross Cultural Business Communications," which is often used by Fortune 500 businesses. If you’d rather design your own training program, purchase the book "Developing Intercultural Awareness" by L. Robert Khols and John M. Knight.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have international employees, choose a cross-cultural training program that gives insight into American culture, as well as other cultures.