Intercultural management: discussion, videos and readings

1. Intercultural competence
Business English

2. Questions to discuss
• What is cultural diversity?
• What types of differences does it cover?

3. What is right? In terms of…
• directness
• eye-contact
• self-praise
• smile
• small-talk
• structure
• body-language
• formal greeting
• the meanings of silence and
pause
• posture toward hierarchy and
authority
• The meaning of gift-giving
• the meaning of intonation in
speech
• how agreement and
disagreement is expressed
• gestures to avoid

4. Sample of not being aware of the local
customs
The wolf of Wall Street
What happened in the video?
Who were they?
Where were they?
What were they talking about?
What aspect of culture was a shock?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyFJx9GGumQ

5. Communication patterns http://www.businessinsid
er.com/communication-
charts-around-the-world-
2014-3

6. Funny ads: “Importance of local knowledge”
Watch the ads and identify
a) What cultures are represented?
b) What cultural aspects are the ads about?
c) Are these stereotypes true or biased?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUCODUvKbzE

7. More questions to discuss
• What tips do you have to deal with cultural diversity?
Being observant, for example by mirroring
body language.
Appreciating differences and being
adaptable
Being patient and tolerant.
In short, being emotionally intelligent!

8. Why are intercultural competences essential
in business?
Article: Why do employers think that intercultural skills are
important?/ How do employers evaluate job candidates for
intercultural skills?
http://www.britishcouncil.org/blog/why-employers-value-
intercultural-skills
To sum up:
• Brought in new clients
• Worked well within diverse teams
• Supported a good brand and reputation for their organization

9. Common questions related to cultural competence
in job interviews
• Do you adjust to the others? Or Do you expect them to adjust to them?
• How do you define success?
• Is punctuality important to you? Why or why not?
• What would you do if you see someone excluding others based on
Culture or Gender?
• Are you a good teamworker?
• How do you react towards criticism?
• How you would describe yourself as a social person?
• Could you describe what a good leader is for you?

10. • Can you tell me about a time when you have given advice or attempted
to persuade someone of something in a language other than your
native language?
• Have you ever been in a cross cultural team in pursuit of a goal? How
was this different to a mono cultural team? What problems did it create
and how did you overcome them?
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to prepare and deliver a
presentation or a communication for an audience of attendees from
different countries and cultures? How did you ensure that the
presentation was clearly understood by the intercultural and
international audience?
HW: Video about cultural diversity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvLk7e2Irc