1. Chapter 4 Communicating Across Cultures
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication:
Process and Product, 5e
Copyright © 2006

2. Increasing Importance of Intercultural Communication
Technological advancements
General global interconnectivity
Globalization of markets
Intercultural workforce
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

3. Understanding Culture
How is culture like a computer program?
Society, gender, race, age, religion, and other factors control our reactions and behavior.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

4. Characteristics of Culture
1. Culture is learned.
2. Cultures are inherently logical.
3. Culture forms our self-identity and community.
4. Culture combines the visible and the invisible.
5. Culture is dynamic.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

5. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Context
High-context cultures (in Japan, China, and Arab countries) tend to be relational, collectivist, intuitive, and contemplative.
Low-context cultures (in North America, Scandinavia, and Germany) tend to be logical, linear, and action-oriented.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

6. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Individualism
High-context cultures prefer group values, duties, and decisions.
Low-context cultures tend to prefer individual initiative, self-assertion, personal achievement.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

7. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Formality
Other cultures may prefer more formality.
North Americans place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

8. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Communication Style
High-context cultures rely on nonverbal cues and the total picture to communicate. Meanings are embedded at many social levels.
Low-context cultures emphasize words, straightforwardness, openness. People tend to be informal, impatient, literal.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

9. Selected Dimensions of Culture
Time Orientation
Time is unlimited and never-ending in some cultures. Relaxed attitude toward time.
Time is precious to North Americans. It correlates with productivity, efficiency, and money.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

10. High-Context and Low-Context Cultures
Japanese
Arab
Latin American
Spanish
English
Italian
French
North American
Scandinavian
German
Swiss
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

11. Improving Communication With Intercultural Audiences
Oral Messages
Learn foreign phrases.
Use simple English.
Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
Observe eye messages.
Encourage accurate feedback.
Check frequently for comprehension.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

12. Improving Communication With Intercultural Audiences
Oral Messages
Accept blame.
Listen without interrupting.
Tell speakers if you don’t understand.
Remember to smile!
Follow up in writing.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

13. Improving Communication With Intercultural Audiences
Written Messages
Adapt to local formats.
Use short sentences and short paragraphs.
Avoid ambiguous expressions.
Strive for clarity.
Use correct grammar.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

14. Improving Communication With Intercultural Audiences
Written Messages
Cite numbers carefully.
Accommodate reader in organization, tone, and style.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

15. Making Ethical Decisions Across Borders
Broaden your view of other cultures.
Avoid reflex judgments.
Find alternatives.
Refuse business if options violate your basic values.
Conduct all business openly.
Don’t rationalize shady decisions.
Resist lawful but unethical strategies.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

16. Proverbs Reflect Culture
What do these proverbs tell us about this culture and its values?
U.S. Proverbs
Waste not, want not.
He who holds the gold makes the rules.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
The early bird gets the worm.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

17. Proverbs Reflect Culture
What do these proverbs tell us about this culture and its values?
Chinese Proverbs
A man who waits for a roast duck to fly into his mouth must wait a very, very long time.
A man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt a man doing it.
Give a man a fish, and he will live a day; give him a net, and he will live a lifetime.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

18. Proverbs Reflect Culture
Other Proverbs
No one is either rich or poor who has not helped himself to be so. (German)
Words do not make flour. (Italian)
Wealth that comes in at the door unjustly, goes out at the windows. (Egyptian)
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

19. Comparing U.S. and Foreign Views
How Many U.S. Persons View Themselves
Informal, friendly, casual
Egalitarian
Direct, aggressive
Efficient
Goal- and achievement-oriented
Profit-oriented
Resourceful, ingenious
Individualistic, progressive
Dynamic, identify with work
Enthusiastic, prefer hard sell
Open
How Many Foreigners View U.S. Persons
Undisciplined, too personal
Insensitive to status
Blunt, rude, oppressive
Opportunistic, obsessed with time
Promise more than they deliver
Materialistic
Deals more important than people
Self-absorbed
Driven
Deceptive, fearsome
Weak, untrustworthy
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

20. Diversity Demographics Quiz
1. The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960s is the growing number of_________ in the workforce.
a. Hispanics c. African-Americans
b. seniors (65 or over) d. women
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

21. Diversity Demographics Quiz
1. The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960s is the growing number of_________ in the workforce.
a. Hispanics c. African-Americans
b. seniors (65 or over) d. women
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

22. Diversity Demographics Quiz
2. By 2050, close to _________ of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups.
a. one quarter c. one half
b. one third d. two thirds
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

23. Diversity Demographics Quiz
2. By 2050, close to _________ of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups.
a. one quarter c. one half
b. one third d. two thirds
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

24. Diversity Demographics Quiz
3. Among individuals with a work-limiting disability, 44 percent hold college degrees and 75 percent are computer literate. How many of these disabled people are NOT part of the workforce?
a. one quarter c. one half
b. one third d. two thirds
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

25. Diversity Demographics Quiz
3. Among individuals with a work-limiting disability, 44 percent hold college degrees and 75 percent are computer literate. How many of these disabled people are NOT part of the workforce?
a. one quarter c. one half
b. one third d. two thirds
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

26. Diversity Demographics Quiz
4. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 200 and 2025 the number of over-55 workers will___________.
a. decrease by 13 percent
b. decrease by 23 percent
c. increase by 53 percent
d. increase by 83 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

27. Diversity Demographics Quiz
4. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2000 and 2025 the number of over-55 workers will___________.
a. decrease by 13 percent
b. decrease by 23 percent
c. increase by 53 percent
d. increase by 83 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

28. Diversity Demographics Quiz
5. What percentage of the U.S. population over 5 years of age speaks a language other than English at home?
a. 8 percent c. 18 percent
b. 28 percent d. 38 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

29. Diversity Demographics Quiz
5. What percentage of the U.S. population over 5 years of age speaks a language other than English at home?
a. 8 percent c. 18 percent
b. 28 percent d. 38 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

30. Diversity Demographics Quiz
6. Based on the latest census figures, what are the two MOST racially and ethnically diverse states in the continental United States?
a. Florida, New York c. California, Texas
b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

31. Diversity Demographics Quiz
6. Based on the latest census figures, what are the two MOST racially and ethnically diverse states in the continental United States?
a. Florida, New York c. California, Texas
b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

32. Diversity Demographics Quiz
7. Based on the latest census figures, what are the two LEAST racially and ethnically diverse states in the continental United States?
a. Rhode Island, Delaware
b. Maine, Vermont
c. North Dakota, South Dakota
d. Maine, New Hampshire
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

33. Diversity Demographics Quiz
7. Based on the latest census figures, what are the two LEAST racially and ethnically diverse states in the continental United States?
a. Rhode Island, Delaware
b. Maine, Vermont
c. North Dakota, South Dakota
d. Maine, New Hampshire
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

34. Diversity Demographics Quiz
8. In 1960 married women with children made up 28 percent of the workforce. What percent of married women with children are now in the workforce?
a. 40 percent c. 60 percent
b. 50 percent d. 70 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

35. Diversity Demographics Quiz
8. In 1960 married women with children made up 28 percent of the workforce. What percent of married women with children are now in the workforce?
a. 40 percent c. 60 percent
b. 50 percent d. 70 percent
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

36. Diversity Demographics Quiz
9. The most profound challenge for managers and administrators in all organizations striving for diversity will center on _____________?
a. recruiting c. management style
b. promotion d. communication
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

37. Diversity Demographics Quiz
9. The most profound challenge for managers and administrators in all organizations striving for diversity will center on _____________?
a. recruiting c. management style
b. promotion d. communication
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

38. Tips for Capitalizing on Workforce Diversity
Seek training.
Understand the value of differences.
Don’t expect conformity.
Create zero tolerance for bias and stereotypes.
Learn about your cultural self.
Make fewer assumptions.
Build on similarities.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e

39. End
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 5e