Communication In Business - Essay Example

Executive Summary It becomes imperative to bridge cultural differences while we try to do business in a different country. A successful business will be dubbed so in a different country only when the concerned authority engages to learn and unlearn nuances related to the communication. Different patterns of business communication is relevant in the Indian subcontinent – it can be traced to the history of colonial rule, the class system and even the weather. One will have to focus on a changed attitude towards people while attempting to do business here. Introduction A business relationship cannot be stereotyped, however, it may be possible to identify the different phases which lead to the ultimate effect of a successful business venture (Goby 2007, 425). The Indian subcontinent consists of nations which are demographically very different from the Oceanic countries – cities have dense population, it is quite common to families to live together thus coining the word ‘joint families’, and feel at unease while calling their bosses by the first names. Communication is varied during different stages of the relationship. The first stage is the initiation phase wherein verbal and written communication in form of telephonic and online interaction precedes face to face interactions. Meetings It is here that it will be found necessary to dig a little into the history of India, as cultural implications play a major role in deciding the mode organization communication being followed in a particular nation (Roberts and Tuleja 2008, 474). The nation was, practically two centuries, a colony of the erstwhile British empire. Thus English customs may be found rooted in the manner of communications. Over time however, local mannerisms have mingled with these habits to produce a different set of rules all together. Meeting etiquette requires a handshake, when one conducts business in India. Indians on the other hand use a traditional variant of greeting – The Namaste. This gesture consists of bringing the palms of the two hands together at chest level along with the utterance of the word ‘Namaste’ with a slight bow of the head. It has been noted, however, that people from outside the subcontinent often use this gesture beyond necessity – it must be remembered that India still suffers from a caste based segregation in it’s societal structure. It will thus be judicious to decide beforehand to decide of necessity of such a gesture. Another important thing to remember is the essence of punctuality that Indians uphold – their might be instances where meetings are postponed, re scheduled, cancelled or organized at a very short notice. The second most important know how that a person from outside the subcontinent must be aware of the name based nomenclature that is being followed in this part of the world. It will thus be necessary to know the roots of the names – India being predominantly non-Christian has a plethora of names which are tough to pronounce for a foreign tongue. It would be judicious to call a person by his or her second name, prefixed by Mr. or Ms. Business attire is also an important feature to be considered. Modifications , in accordance to the heat and humidity in the subcontinent, have ensured that the blazer have been dealt with. It is also advisable to avoid short dresses specially for women. It is also to be noticed that business cards are exchanged at the first meeting while business is being conducted in India. Personal hygiene dictates the choice of hands during this process –Indians always use their right hands while they receive and give . Ms. Sienna Chen should also remember to put the card away respectfully and not simply push it into a trouser pocket. It will also be worth noting that business gifts are not normally expected or given during the first meeting. Pleasantries follow once a relationship with your counterpart has developed. Second and further interactions It has also been noticed that one’s cultural identity changes over time. This is intertwined with privilege, affected by relationships which are close, and are facilitated through communication (Jameson2007, 199). Close proximity to other humans have developed an unique society in the Indian subcontinent – people here love to interact with one another. It is also noticed that they believe in developing and maintaining relationship. Thus a successful business venture will involve building relationships. Communication is vital here - Ms. Chen should realize that Indians will deal favorably with those they trust - even at the expense of a lucrative offer. This will involve practicing a friendly tone, listening and appreciating the views of her Indian partner, and most importantly, exhibiting positive traits of trustworthiness and honor. Though they are hospitable, Indians difficulty in saying no, and this could be a stumbling block in negotiations and in closing deals. Conclusion To better the possibility of success – one must be prepared beforehand to learn from the new environment and focus on the little details which make communication a success. Communication is varied during different stages of the relationship, it will thus be beneficial to develop a staggered approach while approaching the Indian subcontinent. Recommendations Though negotiations will not feature in the first meeting – it will be worthwhile for Ms. Chen to understand that decision making is a slow process in the subcontinent. The entire process is hierarchical, so information flows up the chain to the highest level, while the response treads the same route (Antal and Friedman, 2008, 363). References Antal, Ariane. and Friedman, Victor. 2008. Learning To Negotiate Reality: a Strategy for Teaching Intercultural Competencies. Journal of Management Education. 32-3; 363 Goby, Valerie. 2007. Business Communication Needs: A Multicultural Perspective. Journal of Business and Technical Communication. 21-4; 425 Jameson, Daphne. 2007. RECONCEPTUALIZING CULTURAL IDENTITY AND ITS ROLE IN INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION. The Journal of Business Communication. 44-3; 199 Roberts, Elizabeth. and Tuleja, A. 2008. When West Meets East. Journal of Business and Technical Communication. 22- 4. 474 Bibliography Adler. 1974. Beyond cultural identity: Reflections upon cultural and multicultural man. Topics in Culture Learning. 2, 23-41. Axtell. 1991. Gestures: Do's and taboos of body language around the world. New York: Wiley Barna. 1991. Stumbling blocks in intercultural communication. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. 345-352 Read More