The document discusses several key points about intercultural communication: 1) Intercultural communication is important for connecting organizations globally and facilitating knowledge sharing. 2) Intercultural communication faces challenges like ambiguity, lack of shared meanings, prejudice and lack of cultural understanding. 3) Being effective in intercultural communication requires skills like cultural adaptation, relationship building, self-awareness and intercultural competencies like empathy and open-mindedness. 4) Understanding different cultural communication styles and having situational adaptability are important for multicultural work situations.

1. Intercultural Business Communication Crucial points about intercultural encounters 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

2. Crucial points about communication Connectivity is more important than what is communicated Communication activities involve continuous acts of translation and negotiation More nationalities, cultures and languages are in articulate communication now than ever before in human history: mainly to link organizations together. Intercultural communication facilitates collective acts of knowledge sharing, group learning and networking 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

3. The challenges of intercultural communication Ambiguity Interference Lack of equivalence Prejudice Stereotypes Lack of knowledge of body language and non-verbal cues Lack of knowledge about the other culture level of operation 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

4. A profile of an intercultural effective person (IEP) Adaptation skills Attitude of modesty and respect Understanding of the concept of culture knowledge of the host country and culture Relationship-building Self-knowledge Intercultural communication Organizational skills Personal and professional commitment (Canadian Foreign Service Institute, Centre for Intercultural Learning, 2000) 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

5. Intercultural competencies: Stahl 2001 Tolerance for ambiguity Behavioral flexibility Goal orientation Sociability & interest in other people Empathy Non-judgment Meta-communication skills 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

6. Personal qualifications for international work Open-mindedness Flexibility Interaction Adaptation skills Motivation (Petteri Niitamo, 2003) 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

7. Competencies of the stars ” ... ability to read emotional messages in people with backgrounds vastly different from their own, even when they couldn't understand the language being spoken – a competence crucial not only for diplomats but throughout today's work world for capitalizing on diversity.” (Daniel Coleman. 1999. Working with Emotional Intelligence ) 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

8. Intercultural dialogue Understanding Listening Empathy Openness Trust Atmosphere Responsibility 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

9. ” Multicultural person” Adapts when encounters difficulties, and is capable of interactions in various situations irrespective of the culture where s/he happens to be Experiences constantly a personal process of change because s/he finds always new challenges in different situations Is able to observe his/her own culture from an outsider perspective 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

10. No rules function in all contexts The knowledge of the communication rules of a culture is necessary but one should also realize that no rules function in all contexts. Intercultural sensitivity and situational adaptability are paramount in multicultural working situations. Culture influences people and their communication. One should, however, beware of cultural stereotyping. People are influenced by many cultures, not only one. Which influence becomes dominant in each particular situation depends on the circumstances. Vasko, Kjisik & Salo-Lee 1998:123 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication

11. Conclusions, Questions and Role Play 06/02/09 Intercultural Business Communication