BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Building Critical Skills

First Canadian Edition

Kitty O. Locker Stephen Kyo Kaczmarek 2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Kathryn Braun

odule 3
Communicating Across Cultures
Skills to
Consider diversity as part of your audience analysis. Apply your awareness of others values to your spoken and written messages. Use bias-free language and photos.
2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

odule 3
Communicating Across Cultures
Topics
What is culture? How does culture affect business communication? There are so many cultures! How can I know enough to communicate? How can I make my documents bias-free?
2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Dimensions of Workplace Diversity

Gender Race

and Ethnicity Regional/National Origin Social Class Religion Age Sexual Orientation Physical Ability
2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

High- and Low-Context Cultures

High-Context
Most information is inferred from the context of a message.

Japanese, Arabic, and Latin American cultures are examples.

Low-Context
Context is less important; most information is explicitly

spelled out. German, Scandinavian, and the dominant North American cultures are examples.

2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Dimensions of Culture
Values, Beliefs, and Practices Nonverbal Communication

Body Language Eye Contact Gestures Space Touch Spatial Arrangements Time

2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

International Communication
Understand

your values and behaviours are influenced by culture. Be flexible and open to change. Be sensitive to verbal and nonverbal behavior. Be aware of the values, beliefs, and practices in other cultures. Be sensitive to differences among individuals within a culture.
2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Bias-Free Language

Nonsexist Language
Treats sexes neutrally. Avoids biased termse.g., Personnel instead of Manpower.

Nonracist and Nonagist Language

Treats races and ages neutrally. Avoids references to race or age unless relevant. Uses terms that groups prefer.

2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Bias-Free Language

When talking about people with disabilities and diseases

Use People-First languagefocus on people, not

conditions. Avoid negative terms, unless the audience prefers them.

2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Bias-Free Photos and Illustrations

Check visuals for bias.

Are the people diverse? Are power relationships

balanced? Can you create your own visuals rather than rely on biased clip art?
2002 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.