Business Communication With People of Different Cultures

Communication Protocols

In order for the goals of a company are achieved and profits are maintained there should be an effective communication protocol within the business that can be relied on. Business opportunities can be discussed in interviews, board room meetings and other informal discussions within the business. The objectives of the business can also be discussed here.

Therefore effective communication protocol is a vital component for a successful business. This communication can be internal, business to business or with the customers. Communication protocol incorporates factors such as promoting meaningful exchange of information and relationship building with stakeholders and partners. These therefore include code of conduct that is used as a guide in business related etiquette and behavior.

This paper looks at the different communication protocols in U.S. And how they can pose a challenge or can be a barrier with people from different cultures and how to overcome the challenges.

U.S business communication protocols

Verbal communication

This can take place in meetings, phone calls, web video calls, hallway conversations ceremonial events interviews among others. Some verbal comments termed appropriate in a hallway conversation may be inappropriate in a board room meeting. For instance some personal statements about ones hobbies of family may be appropriate during a lunch meeting with a co-worker and can bring positive productive networks. On the other hand intimate stories are quite inappropriate during a press conference .use of informal verbal communication in business can act as a supplement to official channels thereby saving time and increasing productivity. When formal communication is presented it can reinforce ethics and cultures of the specific organization (Callaway, 2000).

The language used should have these guidelines; it should be courteous and considerate, the conversation should always support the company values the communication should also reflect the employees positive attitude or corporate culture the message should also incorporate the truth. Every business setting has its appropriate verbal communication etiquette in business communication protocol.

Written communication

This includes formal newsletters, reports and memos among others all of which require appropriate etiquette in business settings. This etiquette varies on how it is structured depending on culture, audience size, purpose and place. Each message must go through proper editing to fit the tone appropriate fro the recipient audience. The aim of written communication is to inform, collaborate and persuade. Before any drafting of literature one of these general aims should be identified. The contents should be incorporated in the main idea. The language used should be clear and slang free (Callaway, 2000) .The document should always have a professional appearance. There should be no information left out it should incorporate all facts and details that are necessary.

Challenges in communication protocols across cultures

There can be various challenges during communication in a collective culture this may be for instance in verbal communication there can be use of some gestures that may bring confusion or misunderstanding. A good instance is a head nod, the same head nod may mean yes among an American audience and yet among an Indian audience the same head nod may mean refusal or disagreement.

Still on verbal communication the Americans may use some metaphors with sports terms like "all the bases are covered" or "we want a level playing field" these are not understood by those who are non-native English speakers. The use of phrases that are culturally-based is seen to pose challenges during communication in collective cultures.

Another example is some cultures are high context and the communication requires awareness of facial expressions, tone of voice and eye contact. On the other hand U.S. is a low culture context, where people depend more on words than other external expressions for meaning. The difference in how the low and high culture context will bring a misunderstanding in communication.

Another cause of misunderstanding can also be seen in silence which is a communication style in a high context culture like the Asians which indicates thoughtfulness in decision making. While in the U.S. The silence is an uncomfortable gesture and tends to fill the void with small talk like comments about the weather.

In Islamic culture also women do not shake hands with male this can be viewed as rude or offensive in the U.S. And hence will bring about misunderstandings.