Intercultural awareness is important for 2 reasons. Firstly, it minimises the likelihood of misunderstandings and/or the causing of offense through intercultural mishaps. Secondly, it's a means that to maximising the potential of business relationships through the use of intercultural variations productively.
One space inside the business surroundings in that intercultural awareness may be a necessity is in the business presentation. Directors, managers, salespeople, consultants and business personnel are regularly needed to deliver presentations. But, when one is asked to provide a presentation to an audience from a completely different culture there are intercultural factors that can hinder the success of a presentation.
By method of illustrating a number of the intercultural differences in displays, the following tips to effective cross cultural displays are offered:
Language:
The language you utilize in a very cross cultural presentation is important. Though the majority of the language that is used in a cross cultural presentation will be understood by an English speaking foreign audience, a speaker should be careful when it involves slang, idioms or phrases.
If an Englishman were to talk of being "knocked for six" or "taken aback" he might terribly preferably be met with puzzled expressions. A lot of subtly, when an Yank talks of a 'billion' he suggests that a thousand million, whereas within the UK this would mean a million million. Try and keep language simple.
Body Language:
Concentrate to your body language in a cross cultural presentation. Some cultures are quite animated and will appreciate hand gestures and also the expression of emotion through the body. Others expect speakers to remain calm and would find such behaviour over the top. Equally pay attention to the use of gestures. The thumbs up could mean 'smart' within the USA but it means that something terribly totally different in Iran. Eye contact will additionally be a serious intercultural difference. Some cultures think about strong eye contact a sign of sincerity, others find it overbearing and an invasion of privacy. Do your cross cultural homework before a presentation.
Time:
Be aware of different approaches to time across cultures. Some cultures like a structured, timetabled approach to conducting business affairs, others are more casual. In countries where a begin time is considered a guide rather than a certain, permit time for networking or have interaction in some chit chat until others arrive. Oppositely, if you arrive late to a meeting in a very punctual culture, expect some negative feedback. Invariably show the suitable stiffness or flexibility depending on the culture.
Emotions:
Some cross cultural presentations could be in front of a little range of individuals and deal with sensitive problems in an exceedingly pressured environment. In such intercultural things one ought to always keep their emotions in check. In some cultures a sure quantity of cross examination or scrutiny may occur. If this happens remember the positive intentions behind such actions, i.e. the questions are solely being posed to determine facts, to not undermine you. Never lose patience, show frustration or display anger. To try to to thus will result in a loss of credibility.
Style of Presentation:
Completely different cultures learn and take in info in varying ways. One should perpetually try and tailor their presentation style to meet the wants of the target culture. Some cultures, such as Europeans, like info to be presented well and in an exceedingly manner that sets down foundations that act because the support to a final argument or point. In such a presentation the speaker should gradually lead the audience, employing a logical succession of points, to a conclusion. On the other hand, some cultures, like the US, like a much faster paced presentation that is bottom-line orientated, meaning the presenter speaks from a point rather towards a point.
Use of Technology:
Power Purpose isn't the default methodology of giving a presentation across the world. Some countries many not even have the technical capabilities to accommodate this thus one would need to adapt to the resources at hand, whether or not it's an Over Head Projector or blackboard. Some cultures don't even like a visual element to presentations and realize a lot of a lot of value in words and personality.
Content:
In a very cross cultural presentation, guarantee you tailor the content of a presentation to the audience. Completely different cultures expect completely different things from a business presentation. Future oriented cultures could be excited concerning future projections and figures, but others would rather learn a lot of concerning the presenter's credentials, accomplishments and experience. A presenter wants to ask whether or not the target culture can appreciate factual, statistical information presented visually, or a more personal oratory approach.
Audience Participation:
Audiences react in several ways that across cultures. Some are terribly engaging and are willing to participate in exercises and Q&A sessions, others are the opposite. Audiences conjointly show respect in several ways. A Japanese audience might close their eyes whereas listening; a US one may clap when a smart point is created and a Saudi one could do nothing at all.
Although the amount of areas where one could point to intercultural variations in presentations is vast, for the sake of brevity the above mentioned areas have been highlighted as a approach of drawing attention to a number of the main ones. It's hoped these will then act as a foundation to improving ones insight into the manner intercultural differences manifest in the business environment.
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Aaron R Daniel has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in PR, you can also check out his latest website about:
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