Culture Shock Issues - Essay Example

These differences arise from the different cultural environments of the new countries to which the business organization wishes to extend its business operations to. It is in this context that an understanding of different countries and intercultural communication becomes important to business organizations. Arriving at efficient intercultural communication can be a challenge to most business organizations, because of the inherent problems. Many a company has stumbled at this hurdle of understanding cross cultures and arriving at efficient intercultural communication in their business activities (Guffy & Loewy, 2008, p.79).

Achieving effective communication across different cultures requires an understanding of the two major components that influence it and improving skills within the smaller elements within it. The two major components are sensitivity to culture and diversity and enhancing intercultural communication skills. Enhancing sensitivity to culture and diversity calls for getting rid of ethnocentric beliefs that one has, and instead recognizing the fact that cultural variations are present in this world. There are several elements present in enhancing intercultural communication skills. The first element consists of making oneself familiar with other cultures and acquiring language skills in the language of the land. This understanding of other cultures and skills in languages assist in the remaining elements. It will assist in respecting the verbal and nonverbal communication style preferences of the new culture. Clarity of information to be conveyed should be the endeavor in both written and verbal communication. A patient's ear should be given to communication being received. Assist the local employees and colleagues in understanding the nature of one’s own culture. Increasing the efficiency of communication can be achieved by employing the benefits provided by interpreters, translators, and translation software (Bovee, Thill & Chaturvedi, 2009, p.75).

I assume that overcoming intercultural communication problems within a business environment in essence calls for changes within the individual immersing in the new culture. The extent to which changes can be effected by the individual influence the extent to which there is the effective removal of intercultural communication problems. The difficulties imposed by the required changes influence the willingness and extent of change that is undertaken. Therefore, the difficulties in the required change have a strong bearing on the extent to which there is the effective removal of intercultural communication problems. From this perspective, I would prefer to go to Sulindia, and the following examples will make the reason for my choice clear. I am a person who is more concerned with the ends achieved, and not the means to the end. Therefore, I will have no moral inhibitions in adapting to the requirements of bringing officials. For me changing food habits is not difficult, and therefore adapting to the requirements of avoiding certain foods will not be an issue. I like my comfort once I am finished with work responsibilities and Sulundia offers more in personal comforts than Norotania, thus reducing the effort I have to make in changing this aspect.

Read More