We are currently living in a melting pot of cultures. Globalization is the definitive term that subsumes much of the world today. This phenomenon is something that impinges on even the workaday persons life. Thus, cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and the like should be definitely phased out. One can achieve this by attending cross cultural training programs.
As already said, there are many aspects that proffer diversity and multiculturalism. When different people from different backgrounds interact with each other, they will need to have an established knowledge about the culture, customs, and traditions of the one they are talking to. It need not be said that cultural differences pose great challenges to basic communication, employee interaction, and business practices as a whole.
In choosing a program, you would have to pin down some telltale signs that they actually know what theyre doing. Otherwise, perhaps youll just wind up learning something that has no grain of truth and import to it. Make good sure that they evince knowledge regarding many cultures. They must also manifest application, such that they know how to make you adapt your know culture in a different cultural context.
There are lots of pitfalls regarding cultural differences. Stereotyping as one, and when it gets too fixed or too chronic, then people may pass off as bigoted, prejudiced, and some such. Lack of ethnic awareness and on language dissimilarities can peg someone as ignorant, and the thing is, those who say that may not be completely off the mark. However, there are considerable consequences as well, especially if were talking about the business environment. Project failures and operational disputes can ensue, and even then they may develop to litigation issues.
However, theres quite a lot of definitional gray areas in this regard. After all, theres all the jargon and terminology to wrap ones head around. For example, what is culture and how do you pin it down. How one views or perceives this term will, of course, define the outcomes of the training. Anyway, people seem to concur that Culture has to do with a common or shared behavior with a geographic or ethnic group, so well stick with that.
This will save you a lot of misunderstandings in the long run. For example, why does a particular person not make eye contact with you. Perhaps its rude to do so in his or her culture, and on the other side of the coin, maybe he doesnt like you. But, wait, it turns out hes Greek, and people in their culture in general have no problem with having eye contacts, so yeah, he doesnt like you, you were right.
Thats a lot. Thus the importance of pinning them down one by one, and traverse smoothly around people. When you deal with your differences and pinpoint your similarities, then you know the nuts and bolts to a person and you may be able to deal much more easily with them. The ability to work, collaborate, and form rapport with everyone is an important skill to have and learn. Cultural training is indeed something that should be inculcated in everyone.
Of course, some people would need it more than others. For instance, multinational companies or international nongovernment organization, and even international government organizations, like the Red Cross or the United Nations need it more than others. However, if one is part of a startup company but one which is setting its sights to expand in the near future, then it is important as well, though not in the short run.
Among the things that you can expect to learn in a cross cultural training include etiquette, protocol, and with the business operations in mind, you will also be clued into the business practices and negotiation styles of a particular nationality. You will also learn some pointers regarding values, morals, and ethics. Cultural awareness is the nub of the matter. With a successful training, one can come out with greater communication skills, better cosmopolitan understanding, and a better and more hopeful business environment.
As already said, there are many aspects that proffer diversity and multiculturalism. When different people from different backgrounds interact with each other, they will need to have an established knowledge about the culture, customs, and traditions of the one they are talking to. It need not be said that cultural differences pose great challenges to basic communication, employee interaction, and business practices as a whole.
In choosing a program, you would have to pin down some telltale signs that they actually know what theyre doing. Otherwise, perhaps youll just wind up learning something that has no grain of truth and import to it. Make good sure that they evince knowledge regarding many cultures. They must also manifest application, such that they know how to make you adapt your know culture in a different cultural context.
There are lots of pitfalls regarding cultural differences. Stereotyping as one, and when it gets too fixed or too chronic, then people may pass off as bigoted, prejudiced, and some such. Lack of ethnic awareness and on language dissimilarities can peg someone as ignorant, and the thing is, those who say that may not be completely off the mark. However, there are considerable consequences as well, especially if were talking about the business environment. Project failures and operational disputes can ensue, and even then they may develop to litigation issues.
However, theres quite a lot of definitional gray areas in this regard. After all, theres all the jargon and terminology to wrap ones head around. For example, what is culture and how do you pin it down. How one views or perceives this term will, of course, define the outcomes of the training. Anyway, people seem to concur that Culture has to do with a common or shared behavior with a geographic or ethnic group, so well stick with that.
This will save you a lot of misunderstandings in the long run. For example, why does a particular person not make eye contact with you. Perhaps its rude to do so in his or her culture, and on the other side of the coin, maybe he doesnt like you. But, wait, it turns out hes Greek, and people in their culture in general have no problem with having eye contacts, so yeah, he doesnt like you, you were right.
Thats a lot. Thus the importance of pinning them down one by one, and traverse smoothly around people. When you deal with your differences and pinpoint your similarities, then you know the nuts and bolts to a person and you may be able to deal much more easily with them. The ability to work, collaborate, and form rapport with everyone is an important skill to have and learn. Cultural training is indeed something that should be inculcated in everyone.
Of course, some people would need it more than others. For instance, multinational companies or international nongovernment organization, and even international government organizations, like the Red Cross or the United Nations need it more than others. However, if one is part of a startup company but one which is setting its sights to expand in the near future, then it is important as well, though not in the short run.
Among the things that you can expect to learn in a cross cultural training include etiquette, protocol, and with the business operations in mind, you will also be clued into the business practices and negotiation styles of a particular nationality. You will also learn some pointers regarding values, morals, and ethics. Cultural awareness is the nub of the matter. With a successful training, one can come out with greater communication skills, better cosmopolitan understanding, and a better and more hopeful business environment.
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