Multicultural Communication - Example

Multicultural Communication Name Institution Transmittal Letter From: Multicultural Communication class Research Team Address Fax Email To The CEO Address Fax Email May 20, 2016 Dear Miss Amy, Re: Letter of Transmittal for Report on Multicultural Communication for Doing Business in France I hereby submit to you a report on the topic of “How to effectively handle business in multicultural environments” with a focus on France. The report has detailed information on how to best handle people from different cultures so as to achieve business success in such environments. It would be our pleasure to advise you on matters multicultural owing to the vast knowledge we gathered during our class work. We put in an enormous amount of work and dedication to prepare this report for your ultimate needs. Your consideration of our proposal is immensely appreciated. Sincerely, Table of Contents Table of Contents 4 Executive summary 5 Introduction 5 Discussion 6 Challenges 8 Summary 9 Conclusion 10 Recommendations 10 Reference 12 Executive summary Business and multicultural environments are all entangled. Having a clear idea on how to handle people from different backgrounds is important. This report contains details on how to do business with people from a wide range of backgrounds. The French environment has a high level of diversity. The culture of the French people like most people really matters to them. This report provides information on how to handle the French in business settings. Understanding other people’s culture is very important when doing business in a multicultural setting. Communication in such multicultural environment has adequately been covered and forms the basis of this report. Challenges encountered while dealing with the French and generally people of different cultures have been covered. Solutions for these challenges have been looked in to enable any person reading this report to not only deal with the French but generally all cultures. Basic ideas and principles have been included for general information. The report is detailed on multicultural environments and uses the case scenario of France as a reference point. Introduction Conducting business in a multicultural environment like France for this case often comes with a lot of challenges. Organizations in France have different values, beliefs, and cultures. Every independent agency has its way of doing business. Despite French being the dominant language, other languages such as the German dialect (Alsatian) and Celtic languages (Breton) are spoken. A country’s values often drive the cultures of organizations within the country. France is a diverse nation courtesy of its large geographic coverage and regional variations combined with immigration resulting from its colonial past. Attitudes displayed by the foreigners vary but in general; the French have a habit of being non-tolerant to foreigners. France has a distinct individualism which is an important cultural characteristic throughout its multicultural environment. The French people have a zeal for exclusivity and freedom to articulate opinion both at the business and society levels. Consideration of regulations and policy is an aspect of the French culture that embodies a momentous authority on business. In France, people boast no lenience for uncertainty and ambiguity. It is important to note this for those wishing to conduct business in France as these people do not like taking risks. France has come up as a major contributor of the business community in Europe. The country boasts an enormous aura of pride and heritage. The county’s market is extensive and possesses a variety of global investors and is a crucial supplier of agricultural as well as industrial goods throughout the world. Those wishing to conduct business in France have to begin by understanding their culture. Any multicultural environments regardless of the country have people from different backgrounds so understanding people and how things get done is mandatory. Multicultural business environments are challenging in many ways but being able to grasp the culture of potential business partners is vital. It can go along way in ensuring smooth communication in the course of the partnership. Discussion According to Hendon, Hendon & Herbig (1996) the French usually expect everyone to carry out themselves as they do when conducting business. They even expect you to speak their language. Business negotiations in France are likely to be in French unless there was prior agreement. These people enjoy having conversations for the sake of just talking but are also very pragmatic on the details of the proposed agreements during negotiations. In France, people are individualistic with a sense of pride and are at times interpreted as expression or desire of supremacy (Joseph, 2009). The French people like following their logic when negotiating arguments based on principles established previously. To achieve success while dealing with the French paying attention to protocol, manners, education, status, family, and individual accomplishments is mandatory. The French prefer firm contracts with clear and conclusive details. They like and enjoy conflict and debate and will interrupt at any particular time with little arguments that is irrelevant at times. Understanding the culture of the French goes a long way to benefit any business individual who comes across them. When out in the multicultural environment, it is important to know that the people one encounters are not from the same background and have an entirely different way of viewing things. In France, people are philosophically analytical and believe that logic usually leads to the right deductions. When negotiating, the French favor formal and confrontational techniques. Each negotiation process is treated as a debate between the purchaser and the vendor. To display mutual alikeness between the buyer and seller serves as an added advantage. The French pride themselves on rational discussions and do not like to be rushed into making decisions. Punctuality in France is expected to be at the highest level always (Joseph, 2009). The French tend to be formal in their negotiations and do not easily express signs of goodwill till relationships have become deep enough. Just like any multicultural environment, patience and a sense of consistency need to be cultivated. The clients need not feel like they are being coerced to make a decision. Be patient with each client and give them time to think an issue. The French do not like face-to-face conversations on politically charged issues. Traditionally, the French rely on rational logic and general principles. Their positions are most of the time rigid and follow the law. However, this may change all of a sudden depending on who they are in business with. At times they may be abrupt and confrontational. However, they are friendly, with a sense of humor and sardonic. People who try too hard to impress them end up annoying them. In France, they prefer someone who disagrees with them than one who agrees all the time. Their behavior bases on their inner feelings, preferences, and expectations. Decision making in France tends to take a long time to being reached and applied. The French consider negotiations as an art with long diplomatic formats. The negotiating table becomes much of a deliberation forum and plasticity and consideration to reach an agreement rather than an expectation. It takes careful preparation and investigation on probable arrangements and arguments that are given logically to negotiate in France. They love discussions and will not mind negotiating minor details. To concisely and rationally write presented ideas becomes their concern in any negotiation. The French appreciate rationalism, factuality and logically presented issues in a direct confrontational style. In France formality and attention to manners, being courteous and displaying respect is all mandatory for success. Adhere to basic rules of etiquette and do not assume anything due to prior knowledge when doing business in a multicultural environment (Joseph, 2009). Understand the culture of any business people from outside environments before doing business with them to avoid possible collisions because of ignorance and lack of know how. It shows incompetence on the part of the person initiating the business deal. Challenges Firstly, in multicultural business environments, people speak different languages. For instance in France, they expect foreigner business people to speak their language or at least show an interest in speaking the French dialect Hendon, Hendon, & Herbig, 1996). It becomes difficult to try and learn a language more so for adults. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and energy to speak a foreign language. In other cases, a translator has to be hired, and it leads to additional expenses. In multicultural environments, people display different characteristics which may be interpreted differently. The French people show individualism and a sense of pride. These signs do not go well with all the people. Foreigners conducting business mostly have to ignore such behavior all the time even if it irritates them. How people think and come to decisions is another area of conflict. The French for example like taking their time and use a debate to articulate issues. Business depends on time and at times time could be running out, and a decision is yet to be reached. Time could be spent negotiating minor details like the French do and because it is their country and that is how they do things an interruption may be considered rude. Summary In summary, doing business in multicultural environments require a good level of preparation to navigate the markets correctly. People from different backgrounds characterize such environments. In France, people are strict and adhere to the lawfully. The French like foreigners who can speak their language well or show that they at least know a few words. France is rich with culture and tradition. It is, therefore, vital to know how to relate to people on different levels. For instance, allocating a lot of time to matters that require rigorous decision making is crucial because the French will probably take a longer time to reach an agreement. The French like discussing issues a lot. It means they are talkative to some level but do not like talking about certain matters. To successfully do businesses in France observe etiquette, learn a bit of the French language, pay attention to detail, challenge them, debate with them and be patient. Conclusion In conclusion, conducting business in an environment with many cultures is complicated. However, it may be done successfully without major problems. Flexibility and adaptability skills have to be applied to succeed. In multicultural environments, people have their ways of life which influence how they carry themselves out in business meetings. Business people have what they believe works for them. It is important not to try to change that. Any good business person must not quickly pass judgment and should demonstrate an enormous amount of patience with other people. Be impressive but do not try so hard it might piss others off. The key is to be original, show desired levels of etiquette and paying attention to every small detail. Recommendations For success in doing business in a multicultural environment, you should be flexible and adaptable to changes. Implementing the following recommendation will ensure success. 1. Do not assume that the way you do things is how it is done all over in the business world. People have different cultures and backgrounds hence see things differently. Pay attention to what people like and do not like. 2. The French like conversations for the sake of it but do not like talking about issues national security so do not discuss such matters with them. Be patient with people. Business works with time, but this does not mean you have force people to make quick decisions for they are not usually the best in most cases. 3. Learn their language since the French live speaking in the French and negotiate in French. They appreciate any little effort made by foreigners to speak their language. However do not try to impress them, since they prefer to be challenge rater than impressed 4. Prepare for lengthy debates to clarify and negation many aspects of all the agreements that will be involved. 5. Observe and adhere to the title various people prefer to refer to by. 6. Know what the preferred style of conducting business is preferred. For instance in France, address people by their surname for first names are reserved for family members and peers. How to make physical contact with people whether it is by hugging or handshakes has to be established. Above all, learn different cultures if you wish to do business in multicultural environments. Learn a thing or two about areas of interest to you. Reference Hendon, D. W., Hendon, R. A., & Herbig, P. A. (1996). Cross cultural business negotiations. Westport, Conn. [u.a.], Quorum Books. Joseph, N. (2009). Passport France: your pocket guide to French business, customs & etiquette. Petaluma, Calif, World Trade Press. Read More