The international flavour of the many people's jobs naturally means that there's greater interaction between folks from completely different cultures. Among the business atmosphere, understanding and addressing intercultural differences between folks is important to making sure that interpersonal communication is successful.
Intercultural awareness is critical for two reasons. Firstly, it minimises the chance of misunderstandings and/or the inflicting of offense through intercultural mishaps. Secondly, it's a suggests that to maximising the potential of business relationships through the use of intercultural variations productively.
One space at intervals the business atmosphere in that intercultural awareness is a necessity is in the business presentation. Administrators, managers, salespeople, consultants and business personnel are regularly needed to deliver presentations. However, when one is asked to provide a presentation to an audience from a different culture there are intercultural factors that can hinder the success of a presentation.
By manner of illustrating some of the intercultural differences in shows, the following tips to effective cross cultural displays are offered:
Language:
The language you employ during a cross cultural presentation is important. Though the bulk of the language that's used in a cross cultural presentation will be understood by an English speaking foreign audience, a speaker must watch out when it comes to slang, idioms or phrases.
If an Englishman were to speak of being "knocked for 6" or "shocked" he may terribly otherwise be met with puzzled expressions. Additional subtly, when an American talks of a 'billion' he suggests that a thousand million, whereas within the UK this may mean 1,000,000 million. Attempt and keep language simple.
Body Language:
Concentrate to your body language in a very cross cultural presentation. Some cultures are quite animated and can appreciate hand gestures and therefore the expression of emotion through the body. Others expect speakers to stay calm and would realize such behaviour over the top. Equally concentrate to the use of gestures. The thumbs up may mean 'smart' within the USA however it means that one thing very completely different in Iran. Eye contact can conjointly be a significant intercultural difference. Some cultures consider sturdy eye contact a sign of sincerity, others realize it overbearing and an invasion of privacy. Do your cross cultural homework before a presentation.
Time:
Bear in mind of different approaches to time across cultures. Some cultures prefer a structured, timetabled approach to conducting business affairs, others are a lot of casual. In countries where a start time is considered a guide rather than a definite, permit time for networking or have interaction in some chit chat till others arrive. Oppositely, if you arrive late to a meeting during a punctual culture, expect some negative feedback. Continually show the appropriate stiffness or flexibility relying on the culture.
Emotions:
Some cross cultural displays could be in front of a tiny range of folks and cater to sensitive issues in a very pressured environment. In such intercultural things one should forever keep their emotions in check. In some cultures a sure quantity of cross examination or scrutiny may occur. If this happens keep in mind the positive intentions behind such actions, i.e. the queries are solely being posed to ascertain facts, to not undermine you. Never lose patience, show frustration or show anger. To try to to therefore can lead to a loss of credibility.
Style of Presentation:
Completely different cultures learn and absorb data in varying ways. One should perpetually strive and tailor their presentation style to fulfill the needs of the target culture. Some cultures, such as Europeans, prefer information to be presented well and in a very approach that sets down foundations that act as the support to a final argument or point. In such a presentation the speaker should gradually lead the audience, using a logical succession of points, to a conclusion. On the other hand, some cultures, like the US, prefer a much faster paced presentation that's bottom-line orientated, that means the presenter speaks from a point rather towards a point.
Use of Technology:
Power Point isn't the default methodology of giving a presentation across the world. Some countries several not even have the technical capabilities to accommodate this therefore one would need to adapt to the resources at hand, whether it's an Over Head Projector or blackboard. Some cultures do not even sort of a visual part to displays and notice much additional price in words and personality.
Content:
In an exceedingly cross cultural presentation, guarantee you tailor the content of a presentation to the audience. Different cultures expect totally different things from a business presentation. Long term orientated cultures could be excited concerning future projections and figures, but others would rather learn additional concerning the presenter's credentials, accomplishments and experience. A presenter desires to raise whether the target culture can appreciate factual, statistical information presented visually, or a more personal oratory approach.
Audience Participation:
Audiences react in several ways that across cultures. Some are very engaging and are willing to participate in exercises and Q&A sessions, others are the opposite. Audiences also show respect in many ways. A Japanese audience may shut their eyes whereas listening; a US one might clap when a smart point is created and a Saudi one could do nothing at all.
Though the quantity of areas where one may purpose to intercultural variations in presentations is vast, for the sake of brevity the above mentioned areas have been highlighted as a means of drawing attention to some of the major ones. It's hoped these can then act as a foundation to improving ones insight into the approach intercultural differences manifest within the business environment.
Author Resource:
Jeff Patterson has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Presentation, you can also check out his latest website about
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