Way companies should handle customers and employees in a multiculturalism environment - Essay Example

? Company REPORT REPORT Prepared for, or Submitted to Prepared by, or Submitted by Submitted case) Letter of TransmittalTo Tom Jensen, Director, Company B, Avenue: Date: From the Consultant: Avenue: Subject: Best Practices for Intercultural Communication for Company B in China Markets Dear Mr. Tom Jensen, I submit herewith a report on recommendations and the best practices for intercultural communication that Company B will employ. This will help the company to solve communication barriers; thus conducting business effectively in the internal markets. The main purpose of this report is to offer recommendations and best practices that Company B should employ in order to communicate effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the company should use effective practices for intercultural communication in China markets. Questions or any further information relating to any recommendation or practices raised in the project should be directed to me. However, questions of the administrative nature may be directed to the managerial leaders of the company. I am confident you will find the analysis and recommendations provided to be of great importance and satisfaction. Thanks in advance. Yours sincerely, (Signature) (Name) Table of Contents Executive Summary 6 Best Practices for Intercultural Communication for the Company B in China 7 Introduction/Background 7 The Statement Problem of the Project 7 The Purpose of the Project 8 Project Objectives 8 Best Practices For Intercultural Communication 8 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….12 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………..12 Works Cited ……………………………………………………………………………………..15 Executive Summary The research project provides a brief background indicating the way the globalization era has altered the way companies carry out business and also communicate across diverse cultures. The research introduces the topic of the project and explains the way companies should handle customers and employees in a multiculturalism environment. Therefore, there is a need for recognizing the rising communication complexities across cultural borders. The researcher identifies the statement of the problem by revealing the way many companies have made significant efforts of expanding their business in the global market; but many of them fail because of poor communication across diverse cultures. The purpose of the project is to inform company B on the need to implement the best practices for communicating in a multicultural environment. The objectives of the project are implemented, this includes the offer of the best practices and recommendations vital for achieving success in a multicultural environment. The conclusions are also included, which sum up done by the research report practices and recommendations vital for achieving success when dealing with diverse cultures. Best Practices for Intercultural Communication for the Company B in China Introduction/Background The globalization era has altered the way companies carry out business and communicate across diverse cultures. The Internet and current technology have paved the way to new market places, which enables companies to promote their business in the international or new geographic areas and cultures. The world demands marketing experts who are capable of recognizing the rising communication complexities across cultural borders. The intercultural communication is becoming radically significant in the current globalised world. This concerns especially the companies going global or the companies carrying out international business as well as handling customers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Developing the capacity to understand the ways of the efficient communication with customers from varied cultural settings is imperative. This skill is imperative not only for effective communication, but also for management of employees dealing with diverse workforce. Therefore, the report provides recommendations for intercultural communication, thus enabling the company to thrive in the Chinese market successfully. The Statement Problem of the Project Multicultural communication in the business settings has become one of the considerable aspects in the research field. Multicultural communication is defined as the set of cultural values, norms or beliefs as well as languages employed in conveying the information to other groups of people. It has become the enormous threat to international business activities because of the increased globalization effect; thus, it has shaped the way companies manage or communicate across cultures. Many companies have failed to achieve a successful business performance level in the international market because of poor communication across diverse cultures, thus, recognizing and understanding multicultural communication in the business environment are vital. It contributes to better understanding of varied cultural aspects that may hinder or impact effective business performance. The Purpose of the Project The aim of the scheme is to inform the company to implement the best practices for communicating in the multicultural environment. The report also offers effective recommendations to key stakeholders and other concerning bodies to develop guidelines vital for enhancing the effective communication in a multicultural business environment. Project Objectives To examine the best practices for the intercultural communication that will create significant changes or improve the organizational performance in China. To offer effective recommendations that will enable the company to employ effective practices vital for achieving success in a multicultural environment. Best Practices For Intercultural Communication Understanding cultural diversity is crucial for the company that wants to expand its business in the global market, and the multicultural context contributes diverse communication problems to an organization. Therefore, for the effective organizational performance in a multicultural environment, some cultural differences should be taken into consideration with an aim of optimizing communication among the two parties. Under the circumstances, before employing effective communication strategy, it is vital to understand that the sender or the receiver of the message originates from a different cultural background. It is conceivably more significant for one to apprehend that understanding cultural multiplicity is one of the best practices and the main aspects towards the successful multicultural communication. Michniuk (17) argues that it is crucial for one to learn the ways of communicating especially when dealing with customers or employees from diverse cultural backgrounds. It is not necessarily to learn other people’s cultures and languages in details, but learning the way to communicate effectively with multiple cultures is vital. The basic understanding of varied cultures is the considerable way of achieving the effective communication in the varied cultural environment. This is vital because it will not only solve or break communication barriers, but also solve the likely conflicts of interest that might arise due to the poor commutation. Therefore, this will contribute to successful organization performance; thus enabling the company to achieve efficient business performance in China markets. Developing awareness of cultures of other people is among the best practices for improving intercultural communications. China is among the economies with a high population growth rate and it has many people of varied cultural backgrounds. This country has diverse sensitive cultural beliefs and customs that if not taken into considerations may impact the performance of the company. Steers, Carlos and Luciara (42) argue that culture is one of the aspects that should be taken into considerations by the company operating business in the international market. This is because culture can severely impact effective business performance in case the organizations do not take culture into serious considerations. Developing cultural awareness is vital because management practices and processes frequently vary across regional boundaries (Steers, Carlos and Luciara 42). Managers should also understand the differences when carrying out managerial tasks in the diverse multicultural working environment. This is because what might be an acceptable administrative behavior in one organization may be dissimilar and deplorable in another region. These differences always occur because of varied management practices, policies, and other varied aspects governing a certain institution. Therefore, global managers can develop effective multicultural communication strategies and tactics for dealing with diverse cultural challenges that might arise in a certain working environment. The global managers can also employ effective leadership styles and change their managerial behavior in order to achieve a successful business performance. Samovar, Richard and Edwin (79) argue that best practice communication is when everyone involved feel satisfied, when the messages they pass are well taken into consideration and understood effectively. However, applying the best communication in a multicultural environment at times becomes challenging because of unfamiliar culture or language barriers. Thus, this challenge can be overcome through communicating effectively in different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Successful communication in a multicultural environment can be achieved when being aware of cultural differences and similarities; focusing on cultural similarities rather than differences can contribute to successful or improved communication practices in a multicultural environment. In addition, applying the best communication in a multicultural environment can be achieved through understanding the cultural differences. For instance, what might seem different to someone might be normal to another one, and the reverse is true. Developing communication awareness is vital because communication is sometimes impacted by personal biases. This may be a result of conscious or unconscious ways people feel, understand, experience or believe. Avoiding cultural stereotypes is vital because stereotypes can severely impact the effective communication. Many people in diverse cultures sense whatever is being communicated and they view this as stereotypes. It does not necessarily mean that when an individual communicates with an accent they cannot communicate effectively when being offered an opportunity to communicate. However, it is imperative to be patient and offer such a kind of people enough time to express themselves; this will enable one to understand them clearly. Gender differences and dressing codes also communicate a lot about certain cultures. For the company to thrive successfully in China, understanding gender differences and dressing codes among varied cultural groups is vital. Gender can create a barrier or impede the way the society interacts or responds to others. For instance, in some cultures, women can only interact with other women or interact with men only from their families In China, one is not supposed to look at someone directly in the eyes when communicating, because this can be interpreted as being rude. However, this can be different in others cultures where looking at someone directly is one way of making verbal communication, paying attention, and understanding effectively. Moreover, the dressing style also speaks a lot or communicates a lot about someone’s culture; thus, it can impact the way someone communicates. Bhawuk (162) argues that demanding tolerance in an intercultural dynamic environment is crucial. Cultivating, understanding, and demanding tolerance are among the best practices of achieving the effective communication in the diverse cultural environment. Many people will appreciate any information given to them and will work hard towards understanding the varied aspect in order to achieve the desired goals effectively. For instance, a successful global manager can achieve a successful performance in a multicultural environment in case one maintains acceptable standard behavior in the workplace. Honesty and goodwill can contribute to the successful communication when dealing with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Conclusions In conclusion, the research project has provided recommendations and best practices for the intercultural communication; thus, enabling the company to thrive in China successfully. The research has revealed that understanding cultural diversity is vital for any company that wants to expand the business in the global market. Developing awareness of cultures of other people is among the best practices for improving the intercultural communication. This is so because it will enable one to avoid cultural biases and conflicts of interest that may arise. The research has also revealed that learning the way one communicates and understanding the similarities as well as differences are vital. This is because understanding the similarities can reduce language barriers and the differences will help in accepting other people’s cultural differences. The researcher has provided varied recommendations that the company will employ in order to achieve successful business performance in a multicultural environment. The recommendations include offering effective training programs, developing team management skills, developing valuable learning skills, making communication simple and employing effective problem solving techniques. Recommendations It is recommendable for the corporation to offer valuable training programs in the assorted cultures where it performs their business. Civilizing communication training is noteworthy because it contributes to flourishing business performance. For instance, since the company will be operating in the China economy, it is crucial for the global manager to conduct training programs and educate the workforce on the significant of understanding Chinese culture and other cultures that exist in China economy. The training should take into considerations all aspect including, cultural beliefs, customs and norms when associating with customers from diverse areas in China markets. It is significant that employees communicate effectively across cultures, conduct patience, improve their cultural knowledge and understand cultural diversity. They should be able to demonstrate the ability to understand personal behavior, feelings or reactions of an individual effectively. Developing team management skills is vital in case the company wants to achieve success in a multicultural business environment. Team management is imperative and the first priority is carrying out delegation (Tuleja 61). Delegation is fundamental because it will enable the organisation manager to accomplish the organizational objectives effectively. Successful delegation begins with matching the tasks and ideas of employees, and his should embrace explaining the roles, team goals and setting the rationale of the team. Effective team management skills involve the implementation of a compelling vision, communicate effectively about that vision and help the team to understand, as well as, commit to it. Team management skills are indispensable because this will enable team members to work competently in a multicultural working environment. It is significant to make communication simple, apparent and unambiguous when communicating with people in a multicultural environment. When communicating, it is vital to keep in mind that not everyone speaks good English. Although English is an international language used in conveying the information from one place to another across the business environment, not everyone speaks or communicates good English. The research study reveals that the higher percentages of people who speak good English are those ones who studied English as their first language. Therefore, the global managers should develop communicate and listen effectively when dealing with people from diverse cultures. Employing effective problem solving techniques and also getting help where necessary is vital. Employing problem solving techniques can help global managers to solve complicated problems arising in the company. Some problems may appear complex but employing effective strategies for tackling such kind of problems can create success. Moreover, seeking help whenever possible can reduce complicated problems and also reduce language barriers arising in the multicultural business environment. Fatehi (35) argues that to succeed in the culturally diverse world, it is vital to manage and solve problems that may impact the organizational performance. Language barriers are common in a cross-cultural environment; thus seeking help such as getting experienced translator in case where two people are unable to understand one another is vital. This is because English is the second language acquired through learning process and this may hamper communication process; thus getting help is crucial. Lastly, developing valuable learning skills is imperative when dealing with dissimilar community in varied cultural settings. Learning skills are effective because they can help one not only to manage information effectively but also improve communications skills. It is through effective listening skills that one is able to solve the problems that might arise in a multicultural working environment. Leaning skills will facilitate better understanding and assimilation information faster. This will contribute to successful business performance because effective learning skills are necessary for the achievement of organizational objectives effectively. To develop a successful learning environment, it is imperative to incorporate knowledge management in the organisation. Knowledge provides managers power to take significant action for creating changes in the business environment. Using knowledge management can enable the company to create better relationships with customers and create powerful workforce when diverse cultures are brought together in asset sharing. Works Cited Bhawuk, Dharm. "Intercultural Communication in a Dynamic Environment." Psychology & Developing Societies. 21.2 (2009): 161-181. Print. Fatehi, Kamal. Managing Internationally: Succeeding in a Culturally Diverse World. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, 2008. Print. Michniuk, Agnes. Intercultural Communication in Business Contexts. Mu?nchen: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2010. Print. Samovar, Larry A, Richard E. Porter, and Edwin R. McDaniel. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. Boston, Mass: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Steers, Richard M, Carlos Sanchez-Runde, and Luciara Nardon. Management Across Cultures: Challenges and Strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print. Tuleja, Elizabeth A. Intercultural Communication for Business. Mason, Ohio: Thomson South- Western, 2005. Print. Read More