Page 268 - Business Principles and Management

Chapter 10 • Organizational Communications

Joint ventures between American and foreign firms business note
often reveal language problems. A successful joint ven-
ture between Ford Motor Co. and the Japanese Mazda
Motors Corp. provides an example of overcoming lan-
guage difficulties. The president of Mazda estimated There are numerous ways that individuals
that 20 percent of the meaning of a conversation with communicate nonverbally in international
Ford leaders was lost between him and the interpreters. settings. Often business meetings are held
Another 20 percent was lost between the interpreters during a meal. In China, this often will
and the Ford leaders. Working with only about two- require that a business manager knows meal
thirds accuracy, the Mazda president tried extra hard etiquette. This can include where to sit and
to make sure his message was getting through. He how to eat with chopsticks. You should try
strongly believes people should meet face-to-face and each type of food. You should know how to
talk freely. make drinking toasts, how one should dress
for dinner, when to start negotiating, and
how to bring a meal to a close. These cultural
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES norms will differ between countries. Choose
People from other countries place different values a country you would like to visit. Research
on such things as family, status, and power. In India, that country’s business meal etiquette. Lay
for example, providing jobs for male family members out a plan for how you will behave during
in a business is more important than earning a profit. the meal. Practice these techniques with your
Humor differs worldwide, too. In addition, accepted family or friends to be sure you can handle
practices in one country may be impolite elsewhere. these important cultural norms.
For example, American businesspeople generally
like to start and end meetings on time. In Japan and
certain other countries, this practice would be con-
sidered rude rather than businesslike.
facts &

NONVERBAL DIFFERENCES figures
Great differences exist in the area of nonverbal communication, especially
body language. For example, how close one stands when talking to someone
else differs from country to country. For most conversations, Americans Listening is considered both a
stand two to three feet apart, whereas Middle Eastern people stand much sign of politeness and a valu-
closer. Even colors have different meanings. In Western countries, black is able skill in business negotia-
often associated with death, but in Latin American countries, death is repre- tions in Japan. Japanese often
sented by white and purple. A handshake also varies from place to place. think North Americans need
In Spain, it should last from five to seven shakes, but the French prefer one to listen more attentively, not
single shake. talk as much, and certainly not
Because differences exist among nations, executives prefer to conduct interrupt when someone else
extremely important business transactions in a formal manner. Usually, that is speaking.
means greater use of written reports and expert translators. For oral translation
services by phone, long-distance telephone firms such as AT&T provide an
800 number to assist callers. However, for day-to-day international operations,
managers must learn to understand the cultural and communication practices
of other nations.

CHECKPOINT

Describe three types of communication barriers managers may
encounter doing business abroad.

255