Cross-Cultural Communication 30-Day Challenge – Get Extreme With Clarity
Some cultures are more open than others. Some people like to talk and some people don’t. There is one common human trait we need to remember in cross-cultural communication: we need to understand others before we can have a meaningful connection with them.
This is the last tip on improving explanations to get extreme clarity in cross-cultural communications. Tomorrow we will look at how a global vision can improve your clarity in communication.
Clarity In Cross-Cultural Communication Tip 25
Today’s tip reminds us of our own role in helping others to understand us:
Tell others why you do certain things differently so they can understand your cultural environment
Mistrust in foreigners is common in most cultures. We often notice the cultural differences before we notice the similarities. And in most cases cultural differences create a stronger reaction than similarities.
This means that we need to improve our understanding of different cultures before we can truly become “friends”.
When we feel the negative reaction towards a cultural difference, it is sometimes difficult for us to remember to ask “why”. Why is there a cultural difference? Instead of relying on the other person to move out of his own comfort zone to ask you why you do things differently, it is much easier and helpful for you to provide the explanation.
People with strong international skills reach out and offer explanations. These are not excuses. You are simply giving the other person an opportunity to adjust and possibly open a dialogue for further exchange and understanding.
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
- International Sales Best Practice – Have The Answers
- Is International English In Your Future?
- Customizing Content For Your Clients
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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. |
