Understanding Cultures

Understanding how to communicate effectively with the people from other cultures, has become more integral as many companies becoming multinational.  Culture is so important that it literally underlies the way business is done in every way. Recently, there has been more attention to the influences culture, management style and personality style play in the overall success of a business venture. learning about other cultures and delivering sensitivity can bring more success when dealing with bad news. You must always keep culture in mind, while dealing with bad news. Different cultures understand things differently, so different strategies may be necessary. In many cultures it is necessary to look what the words say and instead look at the communication style and the context of what is being said. Also, be aware that saying ‘no’ is more serious in some cultures than it is in others.

YES & NO In Different Cultures

In Asian Cultures, harmony and peace are sought in all relationships. Disrupting the harmony with bad news is avoided. to prevent that Japanese communicators use a number of techniques to indicate their response as a Yes or  NO.

NO is indicated without being forced to say it but HOW ?! ===> In conversation they may:

• Respond with silence 
• Respond with a questions such as "why do you ask?"
• Change the subject  
• Tell white lies to save face for themselves and for the questioner  
• Make their answer sound like a "qualified yes" for example: 

In China, Westerns usually have difficulty understanding the "hints" given by communicators. For example:

      [ Phrase Used  --> Posibble Meaning ]                 

• I agree -> I agree with with 15 percent of what you say                                     
• We Might be able to -> Not a chance
• We will consider -> We will, but the real decision maker will not               
• That is a little too much -> That is outrageous

In Thailand the word NO doesn't even exist.

Presenting Bad News

Culture is fascinating! Did you know that people in some cultures have a very difficult time delivering “the bad news”?  When dealing with bad news it is really important to keep cultures in mind because different cultures understand things differently.

 

- North Americans generally prefer to present negative messages indirectly.

- In Germany, business communicators use buffers but tend to present bad news directly.

- In Britain, writers tend to be straightforward with bad news, seeing no reason to soften its announcement.

- In Latin countries, it's considered disrespectful and impolite to report bad news to superiors. Thus, employees may fail to report accurate negative messages to their bosses.


Profits and Sales are down - how is the CEO going to take it?

Saving Face In High-Context Cultures

High-context cultures refers to a culture's tendency to use high context messages over low context messages in routine communication. In a high context culture, many things are left unsaid, letting the culture explain. Words and word choice become very important in higher context communication, since a few words can communicate a complex message very effectively to an in-group (but less effectively outside that group).

In these cultures saving face is very important. A refusal is a potential loss of face for both parties.  For example: To save face, a person who must refuse an invitation to dine out with a business associate might say "You must be very tired and want to have a quiet evening" this subtle refusal avoids putting it in words.

Solutions To Overcome Difficulties

 -"I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" 

-"Oh, give me the bad news first. I want to end on an upbeat note."

when you have bad news to convey in a professional environment, there are ways to do it correctly. There are different approaches and techniques to this depending on the nature of the news, the circumstances in which it is delivered, the gravity of the news, and how the news will be used. 

1. Know your subject well 

You are going to make bad news sound like good news. To do so effectively, you must be knowledgeable of other facts and issues that are close to the situation.

2.Use statistical references: Using numbers to back presentation is a powerful tool. The truth is that, if carefully prepared, statistical references can be used to back nearly any position.

3. Give the appearance of being intellectual: It’s important that the audience believes you are well versed on this, and other related subjects.

4. Avoid lying: The worst possible way to present bad news is to lie about it. 

5. Always show respect for those who are affected by bad news.
 

6.Before dealing with people of other cultures, you must make sure you understand the cultural implications of the message and the expectations of receiver. Learn the difference in the ways different cultures organize the bad message. 

7.Understand the different cultural beliefs about communication. You can also increase your awareness of other cultures by getting information from the Internet or the library and by talking with others.