Cross-Cultural Communication 30-Day Challenge – Get Extreme With Clarity
Yesterday we saw how our own assumptions make us forget the obvious explanations and how this can wreck havoc on cross-cultural communications. As simple explanations improve cross-cultural communication drastically, we need to go through an internal checklist to make sure our conversation is clear to everyone no matter what their background is.
Clarity In Cross-Cultural Communication Tip 23
Today’s tip reminds us to question ourselves about what we think is obvious:
Do not forget to mention the information you think as obvious
This is often difficult to do thoroughly prior to a cross-cultural encounter. Of course, there is a lot you can do before a meeting. But the truth is that cultural differences also crop up in the unexpectedly places. This is why you need to have this little tickler at the back of your mind during a cross-cultural encounter:
- Is there something that I have assumed that the other person does not understand?
- Do we have the same assumptions, ways of doing things?
- Is there anything or any detail that needs more explanation?
This is where you also need to listen to the conversation to pick up any signals that might hint at a need for further explanation. The earlier you give the explanations needed, the smoother your communication.
Use this tip as a starting point. Think about what this means to you. Not sure what you think about this? There are a few links below for suggested reading to get you started. Follow each of these tips this month to improve your cultural skills.
Further Suggested Reading & Viewing
- Show The World Your Location
- A Multicultural Writer Gets More International Readers?
- Be Reachable To Everyone
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Where To Get Your CCCC Tips Every Day In June:
- Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge 2 – Get Extreme With Clarity
- By following me on Twitter @CindyKing
- By using the Twitter hashtag #cccctips
Get All CCCC Tips:
First Month: Short tips to think about
There are 4 Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges in 2009. Cross-cultural communication can be overwhelming. International business professionals are often too busy to take the time to improve their cross-cultural communication skills. This is why this challenge is divided into 4 specific areas of improvement and why the tips are very short.
| Challenge | Why | When |
| Mindset | It all starts here | March 2009 |
| Clarity | Your first priority | June 2009 |
| Trust | To bring in sales | September 2009 |
| Personal Development | For strong cultural skills | December 2009 |
These 4 different aspects of cross-cultural communication are what I found to be the most important to me throughout my 25 years of international sales and marketing. You can read more about the other monthly challenges here:
- 2009 Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges
- Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge 1 – Expand Your Mindset
Don’t forget to download the Free Mini-Poster from the first monthly challenge to Expand Your Mindset
Use Your Cultural Skills to Get More International Sales
Second Month: Short review on how to use the cultural tips to get more international sales
Are you an international business professional? Then don’t stop at this month’s challenge. After each monthly Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge, the following month reviews each one of these tips once again, this time together the corresponding International Sales Best Practices.
This is where things get fun. You will see where to put your cultural skills into practice to get more international sales. Turbo charge your learning by going through the cross-cultural communication tips once again, this time looking at them from a sales angle and through the eyes of an international sales professional.
 | Want to learn how to avoid cultural blunders? Subscribe to this blog feed. Need to turbo charge your cultural skills? Get my short cross-cultural communication tips. Ready for serious international marketing? Skype me or email me & let's grow your business. |
