Bao Mei Mei

Today’s competitive global economy results in frequent cross-border movements of staff that results in a growing diversity at the workplace. As the inevitable happens between cultures, breakdowns in communication are a common occurrence. That is certainly costly to the multinational enterprise in terms of workplace relations, returns and revenues, and customer relationship. Not to mention, the firm’s competitive advantage.

As such, three main obstacles to intercultural communication are identified and accordingly expounded further below. It is noteworthy to the International Assignee the consequences if due care is not exercised when interacting with non-native English speakers.

1. Language

* Slang, Jargon

* Dialects, Pidgin

* Accents

The transfer of International Assignees across geographical borders perpetuates the use of the English language. That has never been as pervasive or as widely, although variations of the language and degree of fluency differ from country to country, individual to individual.

As it is, usage of slang and jargon – examples: sport, technical – is to be avoided unless the Assignee is very sure the local audience understands them well. Also, the presence of globally known brands, products and services does not mean that the locals possess the same level of mindset.

It is therefore imperative that the Assignee be sensitive of both connotations and implications that may arise as a result of local usage; further influenced by the local languages where English is a second or third, or foreign language.

2. Modern Technology

* E-mail

* SMS Text Messaging

* Video Conferencing / Teleconferencing

The advent of modern technology, especially the Internet, has made access easier and cheaper to people worldwide such that it helped speed up globalisation. Similarly, the pervasive use of technological tools like Short Message Service [SMS] and e-mail amongst locals does not mean that cultural mishaps will not occur.

The difficulty that comes with the aforesaid tools is gauging the recipients’ expressions. Their responses could be not what the Assignee expects or least anticipates. On the other hand, the ease of communicating electronically removes formality and business etiquette that can not only be misconstrued but also leads to a breakdown in communication.

Hence, it is pertinent on the Assignee’s part to convey himself as clearly and plainly as possible to avoid any misunderstandings that may arise.

3. Behaviourial and Mindset

* Anxiety

* Discomfort

* Fear of the “Unknown”

* Prejudice and Stereotyping

* Perceived Cultural Superiority or Ethnocentrism

* Discrimination = Racial, Sexual, Educational

Coming from a culture that upholds individualism, privacy and independence; the Assignee will certainly experience shock, resistance, and to a lesser degree, disgust towards the host culture that is perceived as inferior. Which as a result, he may withdraw himself seeking similar individuals; or refusal to adapt accordingly to his environment.

The Assignee may also display anxiety and discomfort if he has not come across – or having little or rare opportunities to socialise with – people of other cultures before. He will lose sight on effectively communicating his ideas as his fear[s] of not being understood – amongst others – overwhelms him.

Thus, it is to both the organisation’s long-term interest and the Assignee’s well-being that he has the ability to manage the conflicts well enough. Otherwise it is detrimental to his work performance which can affect the entire department’s morale as a whole.

One Last Word…

It is convenient to dismiss Cultural Differences as the major or sole reason for a breakdown in communication – which does not serve the International Assignee well in the long run. Instead, he could be more proactive by confronting the issues that prevented him from working closely with his team.

By addressing the problem and then taking practical steps to remedy any unintentional misunderstanding caused; such actions will not only make him more motivated at work but his stay more pleasant too.

Just remember: Treat anyone regardless of ethnic, racial or cultural background the same way you would want to be treated.

By: Ange Teo

About the Author:

technology in communication

People feel the need to communicate, either to share information or just to have fun. As usual, technology is there to give a helping hand to people and make their lives easier. Communication was made very simple when the telephone was invented. Sounds were transmitted over long distances in a matter of seconds. Now something better is here to help us communicate faster and cheaper: VoIP – the future of voice communication (especially because of the prepaid phone calls!)

If you haven’t stayed in touch with computers and internet technology (which is quite difficult these days), then you might not know what VoIP is, even if it’s very popular nowadays. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol which basically means that you can make phone calls over the internet. VoIP first started out as computer to computer calls. Putting the earphones on and talking into the microphone was easier for those who used the internet on a daily basis. Of course, they needed and had an internet connection (broadband or DSL modem connection) and special VoIP software.

At first people tried to use the classic 56K dial-up connection, but the signal was poor and one couldn’t understand what the other person was saying. This kind of connection didn’t have enough speed. Today technology has improved and VoIP doesn’t only mean computer to computer calls. Today, if you have a computer and a broadband connection, you can place computer to phone calls which means you can call someone who owns a regular phone from your computer. VoIP specialists paid attention to other options as well and worked on a new technology that now allows people to make computer to cell calls. This means you can call someone on their cellular phone from your computer.

The idea of VoIP becomes more and more attractive because of one thing: it’s cheaper than regular phone calls. PC to PC calls are usually free and PX to phone calls are very cheap. Even the PC to cell phone calls are affordable, all through a prepaid phone calls system. VoIP technology transforms the sounds from analog to digital data. The method is different than the traditional way and some might say it’s not transmitted over a secure channel. For those who fear that anyone who has the tools can listen in on your conversations, just remember your local phone calls are not very safe either and the advantages of VoIP communication are more attractive than anything else.

A big plus for the VoIP system is that today you don’t need a computer to use it. All you need is a modem and a broadband or satellite connection and a phone. This means that you can take your phone with you wherever you go. For example if you go on vacation to your house on the seaside you don’t need to have two phone numbers. All you have to do is take your modem and phone to your house on the seaside. You will have the same number so people can reach you just as easy. It may look the same, but it can be cheaper.

Another advantage of the VoIP system is the prepaid phone calls option. What are prepaid phone calls? Well, it’s simple. When you buy a VoIP system and you set everything up you will buy some credit. Out of this credit you can make all the phone calls you want. That’s why it’s called prepaid because you pay in advance for the services you profit from. One of the aspects you might not enjoy so much when using prepaid phone calls is that, after you use all of your credit, you won’t be able to make any phone calls. However, the good thing is you set yourself a limit and spend as much as you consider fit on communication. You can economize if you use prepaid phone calls and obtaining more credit is a very easy and fast process with the help of your internet connection. This kind of system for prepaid phone calls is only available when you use a VoIP system to a phone or cell. It’s not available for computer to computer calls because those are usually free.

VoIP is the next evolutionary step in communication, so you should really be thinking about letting go of the memory of your phone and direct your attention towards the computer. The only trick in getting the best deal is to be well informed and eager to make use of modern ways. You should really consider prepaid phone calls also because the advantages are more than pleasing. This goes for the whole VoIP system – it’s an investment that you won’t regret.

By: Amelie Gam

About the Author:

Website content

The two technologies that are revolutionizing the world of communication are telephone conferencing and video communication. Video communication is the most sought after technology and is the best way of communicating, as this technology enables the parties in the communication channel to view each other while they speak. With the advancement in technology and communication costs reducing every day it is possible for companies and many organizations like students and housewives to have video communication at any time through the Internet.

There are many online vide communication programs available to chose from such as Yahoo or Google chat. These programs are free to use and all you need for your video communication is a Personal Computer connected to the Internet, preferably through a broadband Internet connection in addition to having a sound reproduction system, microphone and web camera. These are very inexpensive add-ons for your PC and most PC’s come with the video communications systems built in. It is nit necessary for both the people to have the same equipment in order to establish a vide communication link. Today there is a host of video communication software to choose from and most of them are free to use. All you need to do is go to the site and download the video communication software to your PC and start sing it. If you require specialized video communication software then there are reputed vendors in the market that could supply you with your equipment within a matter of hours.

Tandberg video communication systems are leaders and the most trusted names in video communication equipment. They have installed over 50,000 video communication systems all over the world and have very satisfied customers. Tandberg’s video communication systems include a wide range of systems that begin with simple desktop video communication systems. These could be an ordinary PC with the video communication software installed and connected to a network through the Internet or through a dedicated video communications link. The live video experience is unmatched when it comes to Tandberg systems.

Video communication is also known as video conferencing. This started with the basic video phone, which transmitted video images as a slide show over the telephone lines. The quality was poor and the bills were high, not to mention the cost of the equipment. Today Tandberg offers the most economical video communication systems that are easy to install and operate. There is no fear of the systems crashing like the old video communication technology used a decade ago. The cameras and the video displays of the video communications system are capable of producing life-like images that would make the people on the screen seem as if they were in the same room with you.

Video communication technology will no doubt do away with the need for a desktop PC to establish a video communication link anywhere in the world in time to come. In fact, word in the street has it that video communication is already becoming a reality with streaming video technology being used in mobile phones already.

By: Shakir A.

About the Author:

Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress

These days, businesses are more reliant than ever before on technology, to help improve communications and to maximise efficiency in the workplace. The increased use of the internet, email and mobile technology has revolutionised the way companies operate and made IT a critical factor in building and maintaining a successful company. Yet still even today too many companies think of technology as a necessary evil rather than truly embracing all the opportunities it can bring to make organisations more efficient.

In the past companies may have been able to get away with paying lip service to IT but in the fast changing modern world this will no longer be possible. Now, with the convergence of voice and data and the much greater reliance of mobile communications, it is crucial for all businesses to urgently develop a coordinated IT Strategy.

Of course historically, companies tend to regard telecoms and data networking as being from separate budgets, but because of converging networks and the opportunities that VoIP can offer (Voice over Internet Protocol), it is no longer possible to look at them in isolation. In fact given the increased importance of remote working and the need to make sure all staff work as effectively as possible, these days companies really have no choice. The simple truth is if you don’t embrace change now, your competitors will.

The changes in business working we have seen over the last 10 years are very much only the beginning of what will happen over the next decade. At every level, faster and more accessible communication will be key. It is anticipated that in only a few years time approximately 75% of all phone calls will be made over an IP network. The converged network is here to stay and the only real choice is not if, but when you are going to embrace it. With globalisation, the increased use of home workers and the more flexible working environment; access to information needs to be seamless and instant.

Whilst the notion of the “paperless” office may not be a reality in the true sense, the need for electronic document systems (EDM) that can allow staff to access a wide range of documents wherever they may be in the world will only increase in the future. In an ever more competitive world, customers will be drawn to businesses that make communication with them (including buying and selling) as easy as possible. Good technology used properly will reflect well on your business and can help motivate your staff by taking some of the drudgery out of their day to day tasks.

Increasingly websites that used to be used merely as a “shop window” will now be more integrated with other back office systems. In the airline industry you don’t just book your flight online but also choose your seat, order your meal and even “check in”. In less than 5 years, airline tickets have become redundant and administrative processes have been radically streamlined to maximise efficiency.

This integration of the internet with other business processes will only become a lot more important as web use increases. Clients will want to have full visibility of every part of their interaction with your company. Once again easy access to information and the sharing of knowledge will be the key.

Of course with increased compliance legislation and the need for Business Continuity Planning, technology can also provide a crucial back up in the event of an unforeseen disaster. With the proper storage of electronic data and the rerouting of voice and data over the internet, many companies can in effect be lifted from one location and taken to another with minimal disruption. In the recent flooding in 2007, Disaster Recovery became not just an intellectual exercise but an unfortunate reality for hundreds of local businesses.

Technology therefore must be embraced by all of the decision makers in a company and their views properly coordinated to enjoy all the benefits it can offer. Don’t think of IT simply as a cost but more as a real opportunity to drive efficiency into your business. Currently many organisations are still too reactive and fail to think strategically enough about how the world is changing and how their business is changing with it. We are now ten years into the 21st century and the rate of change is only going to increase not slow down.

Maybe now you can see why getting a Strategic IT Road Map for your business is not a “nice to have” but in the modern day and age is simply a necessity. I suggest you review your company’s existing IT Support and maybe consider Outsourcing your IT as a cost saving exercise. There are many companies out there who offer a full Managed Service Provision who could potentially improve your business efficiency enormously. These days your systems can be monitored 24×7, 365 days a year with a much more proactive approach to IT management.

As a final example, think of the mobile phone you have today and compare it to the one you had 5 years ago. The functionality of that device will have changed enormously and emphasises again just how fast technology is moving. And by the way if your current “phone” still doesn’t allow you access to the internet and can’t push your emails to you automatically, you are now already several years behind the game!

By: Olaf Eulenstein

About the Author:

Website content

Talking with one another isn’t limited to just telephone calls and letters anymore. They consist of cell phone calls, emails, and much more. The business of the world of communication has changed. Those that can successfully use these new technologies to their advantage will emerge as a prime example of leadership in their field.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are good because of the fact that they can take on the traditional role of the telephone and improve on it. Meetings conducted on cell phones can be done anywhere and aren’t bound to the office or home setting, unlike with landlines. Cell phones today are better than their predecessors, too. With the aid of the 3G network, cell phones have become smarter and much more capable. They can send and receive both audio and video files alike as well as exchange files and documents. Cell phones today are being created specifically for the business world.

EMAIL

The email has almost made the business letter obsolete. With a single click, an email can be sent from anywhere in the world to its destination, cutting down the wait time associated with the formalities of what has been dubbed “snail mail.” Email even gives the sender the option to send one email to a group of senders with its carbon copy (cc) option. On some email accounts, senders can even request that the recipient confirm that they received the email. With email, there’s always a time stamp included, and the sender has a copy of the sent email in the “sent” folder. Attachments, usually up to about ten megabytes, are a desirable feature on email, allowing a sender to send any number of files instantly. A sender can even save a draft without having to be concerned about wrinkling or losing it before sending it like with a physical letter. The best thing about email is that it’s free! There are many free email services available, with lots of storage space.

INSTANT MESSAGING

Instant messaging, or IM, is a good way to stay in contact with people in your office instantaneously. It’s fun, and its informality allows workers to communicate with their boss and co-workers on a more informal level.

TEXT MESSAGING

Text messaging can take away from productivity, but done correctly, it can optimize productivity. Text messaging can be used as a quick way to give your boss updates if you have to make a quick run and you find yourself in a hurry. It’s very informal, but should only be used sparingly as a means of communication.

FORUMS

Forums are an excellent means of allowing workers to post information in a single location. This can be done anonymously to facilitate the free exchange of ideas, questions, comments, and concerns without embarrassment or fear of repercussions. Forums also make it easier to organize information into various threads based on a certain theme. Technology is constantly getting better, both improving on existing technologies and making some obsolete. With each innovation, people benefit immensely, especially the business world.

By: Michael Roberts Jr

About the Author:

Create a video blog…instantly.

Communication skills are one of the most vital factors in a person’s life. From the dawn of human beings living on the planet good communications were needed for people to interact between one another and thus build the processes in order to survive and flourish. The 21st century is the century for new and advanced technologies. You may well think that almost everything must have already have been invented.

What else can be thought of, I hear you say? Let us remember, once upon a time people had no idea what it meant to have such a thing as a telephone, then as time progressed and technology became second nature phones became normal. People soon began to suddenly wake up in the morning with the possibility of access to a vast international communications network, offering multimedia capability service, the internet revolution had arrived.

Along with many commercial changes came as we see revolutions in technology, a new word called VoIP came into being and soon became a byword and is now regarded as a major influence for all telephone providers like static or mobile operators. Its popularity status and usage is growing exponentially, if you have obtained a broadband internet access, by definition you have acquired a VoIP capability.

The abbreviation VoIP means Voice Over Internet Protocol. Perhaps we should discuss the advantages of this phenomenon.

First of all VoIP technology is very attractive to people because it is very convenient and cheap. You can reach the most distant places making international calls for very small investment. These calls are made on the basis of high-speed broadband internet connection, and in many cases such as Skype users are free or very low cost other than your monthly premium.

The second significant feature is that you can have all the detailed information about your and incoming calls. Also it is very opportune and easy for you to be able to make important calls even if you are out of your place of work just by having your laptop with you and connecting to a local service provider or Wi-Fi facility. But the most important factor that VoIP gives the user is far cheaper communication bills than they have ever had before. Alongside with a lot of positive moments, still VoIP is not that safe as it is supposed to be. So, if you have any secrets, try to keep them.

In conclusion, we would like to summarise that taking into account all the positive and negative aspects of VOIP technology, we believe it is the future but it is up to you to make up your own minds on the usefulness of this technology. We would like to inform you that MLL telecom is ready to manage wireless networks for you and provide you with hybrid WAN.

By: Travis Olague

About the Author:

Create a video blog…instantly.