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Cross-Cultural Communication

Resources for communicating with people from different cultures.
Cross Cultural Training
Communicate more effectively across cultures and borders.
www.Hodge-Ia.com
Cross Cultural Training
We help managers and businesses be more effective in the global market
www.raintercultural.com
Improve Communication
World-Class Dynamic Training in Effective & Powerful Speaking.
www.PublicSpeakingConnection.com
DePaul University
College of Communication. Become the voice.
www.DePaul.edu
Strategic Communication:
Corporate & Executive Leadership Branding, Positioning & Crisis Comm
cxocommunication.com
Global Skills Training
Cross-cultural team building, customized live and online training
www.eworldwise.com
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Featured on CNN & Other Natl. News. The Leader in Volunteering Abroad!
www.CrossCulturalSolutions.org
Cross Cultural Training
Enjoy and manage cultural differences at work, find out how
www.Global-Integration.com
Develop business in Japan
Experts in all industries to help your business succeed in Japan.
www.jamjapan.com
Communication Skills
Go from Now to Wow in 4 months. Life, Work & Communication Coaching
NowToWow.com/Communication
Cultural Training Manual
Buy your copy of the Cross-Cultural Communication Trainer's Manual here
www.johncutler.net
"World class training"
Verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution that works.
www.violenceprevention.us
A-Z Cross-Cultural Communication Provider Directory
1-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
1-9
3c NewYork Inc. Cross-cultural communication & integration
Management & business consulting and relocation firm, facilitating communications between Germans and Americans, conducting corporate and cross-cultural communications training and workshops.
www.3cny.com
C
Global Cross-Cultural Training & Consulting
Offers training and consulting services related to cross-cultural business communication and management procedures.
www.culturalsavvy.com
E
Eaton Consulting Group
Provides comprehensive, cross-cultural training & consulting services.
www.eatonconsultinggroup.com
P
PeopleGoingGlobal.com
Offer cross-cultural human resource training programs for global businesses and business travelers.
www.peoplegoingglobal.com
Cross Cultural Training
Communicate more effectively across cultures and borders.
www.Hodge-Ia.com
Cross Cultural Training
We help managers and businesses be more effective in the global market
www.raintercultural.com
Improve Communication
World-Class Dynamic Training in Effective & Powerful Speaking.
www.PublicSpeakingConnection.com

Guide to Cross-Cultural Communication

Teach employees to communicate effectively with customers of different cultures


Did you know there are more than 250 languages currently spoken in the United States? Add that to the many cultural backgrounds within the country, and it's easy to understand why cross-cultural gaps exist in the workplace. As a small business owner, you can teach yourself and your employees to bridge these gaps.

Here are three ways to embrace cross-cultural communication:

  1. Assess your business's cross-cultural attitude from both the employees' and the customers' viewpoints.
  2. Teach employees to respect the verbal and non-verbal interactions of other cultures.
  3. Use cultural diversity to your company's advantage.


Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Assess your cross-cultural knowledge Not sure whether your workplace is truly embracing cross-cultural communication? No problem – have your employees complete a short online assessment.

I recommend:  International Business Etiquette Culture Quizzes offer one international and 2 world culture quizzes, and then a quick score sheet – all for free.

Learn their culture, earn their loyalty World cultures are as varied as world languages - both are essential in communicating with people of other backgrounds. Encourage your employees and clients' loyalty by honoring their beliefs and traditions.

I recommend:  International Business Etiquette and Manners is a valuable resource to learn the traditions indigenous to a specific cultural group. Scroll down to the "Country" or "Region" lists to find out about specific cultures.

Watch what you don't say: Non-verbal communication Did you know that in China, you should never write on a business card, or put the card in your pocket? Or that in Mexico, conversations take place at a close physical distance, and if you backed up for some personal space, you'd be considered rude?

I recommend:  Check out American Express Business Travel for the dos and don'ts of gesturing. Or go to Spencer Small Business Association for tips on cross-cultural negotiation.

Embrace diversity for your company's benefit Cultural diversity doesn't have to mean problems – in fact, the company that learns to embrace cultural differences and fresh ideas, is the company that is always open to growth within the ever-evolving marketplace.

I recommend:  For a fun and interesting cross-cultural communication game, go to Intercultural Communication Institute, for a free download. Check out How to Deal with Cultural Diversity in the Workplace for the self-study DVD, the Group Training VHS, additional books and/or audio programs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
  • Slow down: Speak slowly and annunciate clearly so that non-native English speakers have the time to absorb your words.
  • Maintain a positive outlook: Don't assume a person with a heavy accent is 'slow' – most non-native speakers to take more time when speaking a less-familiar language.
  • Don't jump: To conclusions, that is. Listen and then summarize what you believe the speaker has said. Make sure you're clear on the intended message before continuing the conversation.
  • No funny business: Avoid humor when communicating with someone of another culture (at least until you really understand each other) because humor is almost always culture-specific.
  • Strike the slang: Before using a cliché or other slang expression, consider the words at face value, which usually mean something entirely different. Instead, say what you mean, and mean what you say.

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How-To Guide from WORK.COM

Guide author
By LaRita Heet
Teach employees to communicate effectively with customers of different cultures.
Did you know there are more than 250 languages currently spoken in the United States? Add that to the many cultural backgrounds within the country, and it's easy to understand why cross-cultural gaps exist in the workplace. As a small business ... Read more


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