Srini, GSR-INC, December 6, 2004
This is a workshop that has been given in this form, or, companies have taken and modified the sections they needed for their individual departments.
Cross cultural Experiences or Confrontations?
Many foreign business people assume that because Americans and their cultures are not as divergent as others in the global marketplace they can come into the US business market with the same attitudes and practices that they successfully use at home. That is simply not so.
Cross cultural communication workshops focus on analyzing and comparing potential areas where cultural insight can mean success or failure. In lively and fun-filled sessions, participants have a chance to actively take part in and practice each of the areas on the agenda.
The areas include:
- Networking efficiently while feeling at ease
- Preparing for US business meetings
- Delivering speeches and presentations US style
- Recognizing pitfalls in verbal and non-verbal communications
- Understanding social interactions outside the workplace
1. Networking efficiently while feeling at ease
Many foreign-born professionals don’t quite know what to talk about at an event and, more importantly, don’t know how to move on to speak to the next person without seeming rude. Using role playing, we will develop several small talk topics, we practice approaching the ideal business candidates and, also practice how to leave them politely. Be prepared to share a difficult networking situation you’ve experienced.
2. Preparing for US business Meetings
Meetings in the US follow a business protocol at which social interactions also play an important part. This can be frustrating for Europeans, who are used to a more closely followed hierarchical order where personal issues have no place. In this section, we will look at different ways US meetings are run, investigate problems that can rise, and see how they are solved. Participants are asked to come prepared with examples of meetings that didn’t work for them..
3. Delivering Speeches and Presentations US Style
Many international organizations and individuals come to the US hoping to generate new business leads. However, they often don’t succeed as well as they could have. Several factors account for this: overly long speeches, incorrect set up of facilities, long-winded presentations, overloaded overheads, hard to understand English and so on. Participants will put together a short, simulated presentation, with a checklist of dos and don’ts and will then present it to the group. Participants are also asked to send in 3 or 4 PowerPoint slides from a current presentation for(anonymous) group review.
4. Recognizing Pitfalls in verbal and non-verbal Communications
Language and culture are closely related and communicating effectively involves not only speaking good English, but also knowing what phrases to use, understanding US slang and idioms, sports metaphors, as well as “Americanisms” that are highly valued. This can mean being able to sing the national anthem, knowing old fashioned songs as well as participating in mundane things such as singing “Take me out to the Ballgame,” or knowing a stanza of “America the Beautiful.” Non-verbal communication deals with topics such as space usage, eye contact, body language and touching. We practice these non-verbal communications forms in role playing situations.
5. Understanding Social Interactions outside the Workplace
American social life differs very much from that of other cultures. Activities often take place in interest groups and - at least on the West Coast – many social meetings are sports oriented. Another important contact area is in philanthropies.
Questions that rise in regards to social settings are : What organization to join? What to wear to informal gatherings? does one bring gifts for dinners? write a thank you note every time, stay until midnight or is that too late? These and other practical concerns will be addressed; participants will work on putting together a list of topics that are ‘safe’ to use at dinners, on the golf course or at any casual event.
Participants are asked to email Angelika with a) a list of how they think Americans feel about dealing with their cultural group in business, b) a short description of an embarrassing cultural incident which could have been avoided with proper knowledge and preparation and c) several PowerPoint slides from a presentation they think is important. If everyone participates actively, the workshop will be fun and fast moving for everyone.
