Effective Multi Cultural International Business Meetings

Written by Neil Payne


Effective Multi-Cultural International Business Meetings

Ofrepparttar many areas in international business where cultural differences manifest is inrepparttar 104229 corporate meeting room. International meetings are an area where differences in cultural values, etiquette, interpretations of professional conduct and corporate rules are at their most visible and challenging to control.

In international business meetings, cultural differences between professionals can and do clash. Although it can not always be avoided,repparttar 104230 negative effects of cultural differences can be minimised with careful and effective planning, organisation and consideration prior to meetings.

Culture influences what we do, say, think and believe. Culture is different in different countries and contexts. Inrepparttar 104231 context of international business it affects how people approach, perceive and contribute towards meetings. A few examples include:

Time

Not all cultures live byrepparttar 104232 clock. Time orientated cultures such asrepparttar 104233 British or Germans will have strict approaches to how meetings run. The start time, finishing time and allrepparttar 104234 different stages in between will be planned carefully. Other cultures will seerepparttar 104235 start time as an approximation,repparttar 104236 finish time as non-fixed and allrepparttar 104237 different stages in between as flexible.

Hierarchy

The hierarchical nature of a culture can have a massive impact onrepparttar 104238 input given by participants in an international meeting. For those from hierarchical cultures speaking one’s mind, criticising ideas, disagreeing openly, giving feedback and reporting problems in front ofrepparttar 104239 boss or manager are all areas they would feel uncomfortable with. To offer a criticism ofrepparttar 104240 manager’s idea would be seen as a loss of face for bothrepparttar 104241 manager andrepparttar 104242 criticiser.

The Purpose of Meetings

After a few pleasantries inrepparttar 104243 meeting room,repparttar 104244 common term inrepparttar 104245 West is, ‘let’s get down to business’. Western meetings generally run to a tight schedule with an organised, pre-planned agenda. Meetings are for business. Onrepparttar 104246 other hand, different cultures seerepparttar 104247 meeting asrepparttar 104248 arena for building personal relationships and strengthening bonds. Getting down to business comes further downrepparttar 104249 priority list.

When chairing an international business meeting it is always advisable to bear in mindrepparttar 104250 attendees’ cultures and backgrounds. Is it a very varied group or dorepparttar 104251 majority of participants have cultural similarities? Think about their approaches to meetings. How have they acted in meetings before? Can you identifyrepparttar 104252 cultural reason why?

Following are some guidelines that may assist you when approaching cultural diversity in your next international business meeting. Meeting Etiquette and Mannerisms

In highly diverse international companies, one can find participants in a meeting fromrepparttar 104253 four corners ofrepparttar 104254 globe. Each will have their own cultural etiquettes, gestures, mannerisms and ways of expression. Shouting, throwing hands around and even storming out of meetings are all possibilities. In such a company it may be advisable to provide inter-cultural awareness training to staff to minimise misunderstandings. Where differences are not as acute it may be up to you asrepparttar 104255 chair to understand how certain etiquettes, gestures and general meeting room tactics may be perceived and how you can minimise any adverse impact.

Expectations of Meetings

Prior torepparttar 104256 meeting make it clear whatrepparttar 104257 purpose ofrepparttar 104258 meeting will be. What isrepparttar 104259 goal ofrepparttar 104260 meeting? Why are you asking each attendant? What do expect from them? Contactrepparttar 104261 participants and discussrepparttar 104262 meeting and what you require of each person. If ready, send themrepparttar 104263 agenda. If it is a brainstorming meeting then maybe ask each participant to bring at least three suggestions with them. If it is a meeting bringing together different areas within a company, let each attendant know what people would like to hear about from them. Once a framework is in place people will know where they fit intorepparttar 104264 picture.

Take a Relaxed Approach to Meetings

Many people find business meetings daunting. This may be a combination of stage fright, sitting in front ofrepparttar 104265 boss and feeling inferior to colleagues. This will lead to anxiety, tension, nervousness and general discomfort. Try introducing subtle differences to a meeting to put people at ease. Ice breakers offer a good tension release atrepparttar 104266 beginning of a meeting. Warm ups offer a similar benefit. Try using an alternative setting instead ofrepparttar 104267 meeting room. Consider changes inrepparttar 104268 lighting or ambience.

How to Give a Great Speech

Written by Sandra Schrift


Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre*e of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines, and my Web site address(http://www.schrift.com) in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to sandra@schrift.com Thank you. ___________________________________________________________

TITLE: How to Give a Great Speech AUTHOR: Sandra Schrift CONTACT: sandra@schrift.com COPYRIGHT: ©2004 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved

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How to Give a Great Speech

As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I have learned from several thousand professional speakers "How to Give a Great Speech." Here are some techniques that I share with my coaching clients who want to become paid professional speakers or business professionals who want to deliver masterful presentations.

1. Speak fromrepparttar heart. Believe in what you have to say, or don’t say it. If your passionate about your subjectrepparttar 104228 words will come. Speak aboutrepparttar 104229 fundamental beliefs you have about life,repparttar 104230 simple truths that you believe in with all your heart.

2. Write down two or three specific objectives you have for this speech. Ask yourself, 'What do you wantrepparttar 104231 audience to do as a result of your speech? 'Think differently? Act differently? Do something differently?

3. Write it out. When you give a speech be sure that people need to hear what you have to say. Than you need to understand it so well that you could explain it to an eight-year-old You know, if you write it down enough times, than you will become familiar with it. Don’t read your speech if necessary, just readrepparttar 104232 lead sentences that you write on a three by five card.

4. Be present. Connect with your audience inrepparttar 104233 first 60 seconds and than engage them throughout your speech. Once you getrepparttar 104234 audience rolling, be sure to embellish certain comments that you know are being well-received.

5. Know your audience. Interviewrepparttar 104235 program chair in advance to know who will be sitting in your audience and what they expect to hear from you. Are they men or women? What isrepparttar 104236 theme ofrepparttar 104237 meeting or conference? What is their purpose in being there? Because that then becomes your purpose. Be sure to give your audiences not just what they want, but also what they need to hear.

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