Four common illusions about international business communication

People are people, wherever they come from

Yes, but in a multi-national environment, where they come from will affect expectations of productivity and working procedures. Managers and team members come from different backgrounds with different histories, religions, schooling, background and training. They think about things differently. If you understand those differences you will know your colleagues better and be better able to manage them.

It's corporate culture that matters

Even corporate culture varies according to where the company is based. Emphasis on seniority, expectations of respect, degrees of formality, reporting lines and even business procedures, such as accounting procedures, can differ dramatically between countries. Remember, it's the people who seem most familiar who are often the most different.

It's just about whether you bow or shake hands

No, it goes much deeper than that, although the perception of politeness or impoliteness matters. We help you discover the values and attitudes of the different nationalities that make up your team and show how these are manifested in business and social behaviour. A two-day course can give you insights and improve your communications to revolutionise your productivity. Effective cross-cultural communication eliminates delays.

It's the task that matters, stupid

Of course, your task based qualifications matter but in a multi-national, multi-ethnic environment your people skills are just as important and that means developing sensitivity to other cultural ways of doing things. We aim to strengthen your hand by adding cross-cultural skills to your existing task-based competency. This makes you a more fully rounded and competent international manager.

Four common illusions about international business communication

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