Cross-cultural communication groups can offer a variety of skills to your company, from sexual harassment recognition to cultural understanding. By joining an intercultural communication association, you can help you to broaden your understanding of other cultures leading to better communications in the global marketplace. Cross-cultural communication organizations can provide opportunities to build relationships with others interested in furthering the goals of intercultural communication associations.

Affiliation with cross cultural communication groups provides lobbying and network opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests. Membership in an intercultural communication association often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional cross cultural communication groups offer even more chances to network with local business leaders in your community of different backgrounds. Use your membership in an intercultural communication association in a number of different ways.

1. Expand your network through intercultural communication organizations

2. Support cross-cultural communications by participating in an intercultural communication group

3. Educate your staff through an international association for intercultural communication

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

Develop business contacts in cross-cultural communication organizations

Intercultural communication associations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At these intercultural communication group events, as well as though various committees in which you could participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support cross-cultural communications. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of trade opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The International Communication Association is an intercultural communication group comprised mainly of scholars who promote greater understanding. Affiliate memberships are welcomed. The National Communications Association meets annually to discuss the state of affairs with regards to advances in cross-cultural communications.

Show your interest by joining cross-cultural communication organizations

As your business expands globally and the American landscape changes culturally, you'll need to build strong relationships with leaders of various cultures and diversity. You can work toward this end by offering your support to various cross-cultural communication organizations. You can participate in intercultural communication associations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The American Institute for Managing Diversity can provide you with a network of business leaders working to improve cross-cultural communications within American corporations. As the Hispanic population grows increasingly more involved in business, you should consider membership in an organization such as the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility to build better communications.

Get your staff involved in intercultural communication organizations

While you as a business leader will certainly benefit from participation in cross cultural communication groups, it's your staff that often handles the day-to-day communications with various other organizations. They should take advantage of your company's involvement in intercultural communication groups at some level, even if it is only online or through the group's publications.

I recommend: The Intercultural Management Institute is a cross-culture communication in organization that offers seminars, training conferences and publications in which your employees could participate. The National MultiCultural Institute is a non-profit intercultural communication group that also offers training, seminars and other opportunities to network with business professional engaged in cross-cultural activities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make it a job requirement for every employee to participate at some level in intercultural communication groups, particularly as you move into the global marketplace.