CROSS-CULTURAL TIPS
There are many different types of business meetings. In addition, how participantsbehave will depend upon cultural background. Use thefollowing as a checklist to help you prepare yourself for communicating in international meetings.
PREPARATION
Some Cultures...
- are happy with telephone meetings in preference to personal contact.
- expect extensive pre-meeting documentation and briefing information.
- prefer communication of prepared ideas to spontaineity during discussion.
- value fact over opinion.
STRUCTURE
Some Cultures...
- regard small talk as essential to establish the required personal relationship.
- prefer certain types of meetings (briefing) to others (problem solving).
- view informality as unprofessional
- expect to work systematically on an agenda
- work organically and value flexibility and disgression.
ROLES
Some Cultures...
- see the chair as controller and decision-maker rather than facilitator.
- prefer an individualist to a collectivist approach.
- expect important decisions will be made by senior personnel in the company.
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
People can...
- find idiomatic language difficult. Keep it short and simple.
- be frustrated by native speaker domination. Allow others to speak.
- misunderstand silence: is it agreement, non-understanding, thinking time, boredom?
- be offended. Humor is often personal and culturally specific. Use with caution.
TIME
Some Cultures...
- respect punctuality.
- are very concerned with deadlines.
- are flexible about time.
DECISION-MAKING
Some Cultures....
- prefer logic to imagination.
- prefer diplomacy to open disagreement.
- don't welcome interruption and contradiction.
- see directness as rude and unsophisticated
NON-VERBAL ASPECTS
People may...
- expect a formal dress code
- see handshaking as the basis for establishing a personal relationship
- see the exchange of business cards as important.
- have strong expectations about using first or family names. Family names are safer.
- mistake friendliness for unprofessionalism
There are many different types of business meetings. In addition, how participantsbehave will depend upon cultural background. Use thefollowing as a checklist to help you prepare yourself for communicating in international meetings.
PREPARATION
Some Cultures...
- are happy with telephone meetings in preference to personal contact.
- expect extensive pre-meeting documentation and briefing information.
- prefer communication of prepared ideas to spontaineity during discussion.
- value fact over opinion.
STRUCTURE
Some Cultures...
- regard small talk as essential to establish the required personal relationship.
- prefer certain types of meetings (briefing) to others (problem solving).
- view informality as unprofessional
- expect to work systematically on an agenda
- work organically and value flexibility and disgression.
ROLES
Some Cultures...
- see the chair as controller and decision-maker rather than facilitator.
- prefer an individualist to a collectivist approach.
- expect important decisions will be made by senior personnel in the company.
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
People can...
- find idiomatic language difficult. Keep it short and simple.
- be frustrated by native speaker domination. Allow others to speak.
- misunderstand silence: is it agreement, non-understanding, thinking time, boredom?
- be offended. Humor is often personal and culturally specific. Use with caution.
TIME
Some Cultures...
- respect punctuality.
- are very concerned with deadlines.
- are flexible about time.
DECISION-MAKING
Some Cultures....
- prefer logic to imagination.
- prefer diplomacy to open disagreement.
- don't welcome interruption and contradiction.
- see directness as rude and unsophisticated
NON-VERBAL ASPECTS
People may...
- expect a formal dress code
- see handshaking as the basis for establishing a personal relationship
- see the exchange of business cards as important.
- have strong expectations about using first or family names. Family names are safer.
- mistake friendliness for unprofessionalism
