Mar 16, 2011 | cross cultural communication, cross cultural conflict, managing diversity, Uncategorized
Cultural awareness is a way of thinking about and viewing the world. It means understanding, respecting and successfully interacting with those whose world views, values, behaviors, communication styles, customs and practices are different than one’s own. Cultural...
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Feb 8, 2011 | cross cultural communication, customer service, healthcare
Culturally competent healthcare delivery is not just the right thing to do, it ‘s also good business sense. It is the culturally competent organization that will have a competitive edge in the health care market and a decreased likelihood of...
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Jan 27, 2011 | American culture, Asian culture, business writing, cross cultural communication, Language
Good communication is a culturally-bound concept. What is appropriate and effective in one culture may not be so in another. However, regardless of culture, all communication carries a message. But who is responsible for making sure that message gets transmitted? Who...
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Dec 30, 2010 | holidays and celebrations
Although most New Yorkers would like to believe it, not everyone around the world is waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. Here are 10 ways the new year is celebrated around the world. How do you ring in the new year? Spain: eat 12 grapes at the stroke of...
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Oct 7, 2010 | accent reduction, cross cultural communication, Language
Everyone has an accent. Accent marks one’s native language and geographic region, among other things. A wide range of research has shown that your accent affects how others perceive you, and may even judge you on issues unrelated to accent. Still other...
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Sep 27, 2010 | cross cultural communication, cross cultural conflict, customer service
Good customer service means different things to different people. To ensure culturally sensitive service, become an active listener and watcher to gain insight into customers’ values and beliefs and to avoid cross cultural conflict and miscommunication....
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Jun 10, 2010 | cross cultural communication, cross cultural conflict, cross cultural negotiation, Language
If you’re angry or frustrated at work, would you say so? How would you express these feelings? Depending on whether your culture is Affective or Neutral, your answer will be very different. Affective or Neutral describes how overtly a culture expresses emotions....
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Jun 2, 2010 | cross cultural communication, Language
Being a good communicator has different meanings in different cultures. In order to communicate effectively across cultures, you need to understand the cultural thought patterns behind the language of communication. These thought patterns influence the way native...
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May 19, 2010 | Business, cross cultural conflict, Particularist and Universalist cultures
UK Macmillan publisher is in big trouble. It seems that they gave bribes in Sudan for a textbook deal. In Sudan, a bribe is not an uncommon business practice, whereas in the UK, it’s illegal. In some cultures, bribes are a normal part of doing business. In others,...
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Apr 28, 2010 | American culture, Asian culture, Business, cross cultural communication, Hispanic culture, managing diversity
An interviewer who makes decisions based only on his own cultural ideas may miss out on talented applicants who may not fit into his framework. Areas for miscommunication in the interview process include: Group v individual orientation American culture focuses on the...
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