Improve Your Cross-Cultural Communication

I started this blog at the beginning of this year, and it is slowly finding its groove.

• Cross-cultural business

A fair amount of visitors interested in “culture” in general also find their way here.  And some of these readers do not immediately grasp the “business” slant.

Of course, this is because they read this blog with their own filters.  And this makes them stand out.

The different ways people use certain words is intriguing.

Buzz Around Cultural Marketing

Over this past year, I have noticed an increase in the buzz around the word “cross-cultural” and other related words related.

This buzz seems to stem from one source.

There is obviously a wider recognition of the need for ethnic marketing within individual countries.  And there are two very obvious reasons:

• The Obama effect
• Several leading countries will have ethnic groups representing the majority of their population within most of our lifetimes.

Different Words

With the increase in buzz around this,  it is easy to see the different definitions people have for:

• Cross-cultural
• Multicultural
• Intercultural
• International
• Ethnic
• Racial

No.  We do not always use these words with the same definition.

Of course, some people just do not know what word to use, and simply choose the first one they think of.

But sometimes I have to do a little research before I can grasp what people mean.  People often have different definitions for these words.

Context In Definitions

Here is what I have noticed:

• Different context = different definition

There seems to be a difference in definition  when these words are used in a business context  or a social context.  These words tend to have a broader definition in a social context.

• There is a current trend

I notice a distinct preference for the word “multicultural”.

• A shift in flavor?

I also wonder if there is a slightly negative flavor to the word “ethnic”.  It sometimes appears to be on a similar level as the word “racial”.

International Business

Now, let’s look at how you can use these words in business:

If you are selling to different ethnic groups within your own country, you will need good:

• Ethnic marketing tactics
• Cross-cultural communication skills

If you are selling to international clients on the front line, you will need good:

• Cross-cultural communication skills
• Cross-cultural marketing tactics

If you are establishing your international business, you will need good:

• International sales strategies
• International marketing strategies

And in all cases you are working in a multicultural environment.

You can use your favorite reference source to look up definitions for these words.

In communication across cultures, I would never break through if I imposed rigid definitions to others.

I do quite the opposite and concentrate my efforts on finding common grounds of understanding.

Definitions For International Success

Different definitions for common words are a barrier in international business.  These barriers can start within your own team.  Define the words you use to improve your:

• Communication
• Marketing
• Business Strategy

Again, this is just food for thought.  You do not need to use my definitions.

What is important to seeing the difference when people use the same word as you do, but give a different definition to this same word.

• You know how to define your “ideal client”
• You know how to create a “persona”
• You know how to qualify a lead

Don’t forget to build your international business on a solid foundation.

Read more on how to improve your Cross-Cultural Communication here:

- Listen To Your International Clients To Build Trust And Increase Sales
- Where Cultural Miscommunication Happens
- Beyond Cultural Generalizations
- Getting Beyond Visible Cultural Differences
- Better Cross-Cultural Communication – Rephrase, Don’t Shout
- Why Empathy Develops Your International Business
- 7 Tips For Easy Cross-Cultural Encounters
- Morphing Into A Foreign Culture

Read about Cross-Cultural Communication Differences in these articles:

- Curiosity Versus Empathy
- Morphing Into A Foreign Culture
- Free Courses, Content And Culture Scams
- Different Countries = Different Rules
- Different Eye Tracking For Different Cultures
- Music In Cultural Differences

And read even more in the…

Get International Clients International Sales Road Map

Guide 5 – Connect With Your International Markets • How can you connect with your international clients?• What communication do you need to connect with international markets? Read about how to create your international marketing strategy.

Guide To Cultural Web Tools • How can you tweak your web site to improve your cross-cultural communication? Lots of tools here.

Copyright Cindy King 2006-2010 - International Business Blog

Different Definitions For Culture Words