Cultural communication differences. . .
Do you export your goods or services? Do you have to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds?
John Walmsley does and he asked:
“I have a great deal of overseas clients and worry about how I word my emails and newsletters in case I offend. Is there a rule for different Countries or should I just assume they relate to the Scottish wit.”
First I’d like to say that I think it’s great that you’ve thought about this John because many business people don’t.
You see it is very easy to think everyone we speak or write to understands what we actually mean and we understand them perfectly. But do we? And are the actions we take seen as disrespectful? There are distinct cultural differences - there are even subtle differences between regions in the same country!
You build a strong relationship by knowing and respecting those differences. By conducting your business in an acceptable manner.
But how can you be sure of what you should - or should not - be doing or saying, without asking them? You want to come over as professional, as understanding your prospect or customer. If you don’t know their traditions and follow them you could come over as inexperienced or, in a worse case scenario, crass.
Now I do not know all the international differences… but I ‘know a lady who does!‘
If you are dealing with overseas - or about to - check the free articles (over 26) on Deborah Swallow’s website and consider buying her book Communicating Across Cultures, which is on her products page.
The first article link opens a global map which you can click on to get information for different regions.
And John, two articles you might find particularly useful are:
- 10 Tips on Humour
- International Email Etiquette
Her insights help you to avoid mistakes that could kill your customer relationships.
~ Carol Bentley
8th February 2008 at 4:22 pm
Of course, we all can’t learn all languages or learn all customs. Politely inquiring sometimes resolves problems that have arisen. Most people are MORE tolerant of those unfamiliar with their culture(s), language(s), or custom(s) than they might otherwise be to people in their own country who make similar mistakes.
Kenneth