Can You Prevent All Cultural Blunders?

Unfortunately the answer is no.misunderstandings fairly quickly.
All cultures evolve in time. Languages evolve.In international communication it happens a lot
Businesses evolve. The world economy evolves.more frequently. If both parties are new at cross
There are just so many variables that come intocultural communication and don't speak a common
play in cross cultural business communication.language well, the whole communication can be
So, what can you do? Here is what will help youtotally misunderstood.
most:So you need practice. You also need to be sure
- Open your cultural understanding.to
And how can you do this? There are two things- Communicate clearly, with clarity.
you can do.- Stay focused on the communication. Note what
1 - Learn From Past Mistakesis said and what is not said.
You can learn about past international business- Validate what you understand. Ask questions to
mistakes and cultural blunders. This will help you toconfirm your understanding at the slightest twinge
open up your understanding of how things goof uncertainty.
wrong.The more practice you have in communicating
- Don't focus on the outcome. Sometimes theacross cultures the more you will develop good
outcome is so big you focus on it.cross cultural communication skills.
- Don't focus on the differences with the other- You will notice the slang and cultural expressions
culture. Sometimes the gap may be daunting.you use that confuse other cultures.
- Focus on what the company did wrong.- You will learn to speak with clarity to avoid
- Find the additional step the company could haveconfusion.
done to avoid this blunder.- You will learn the things you need to explain
Very often the cultural blunders were caused bymore.
assumptions made in one culture that were not- And most importantly you will learn to follow
true in the other culture. There will be similarities inyour conversation from both angles to pick up
the reasons why these mistakes happen.when you should validate your understanding of
As you look at the reasons behind past blundersthe conversation.
and as you have cultural field practice, you willPractice Stops Most Blunders Before It's Too Late
start to question whether your own culturalNo, you can't stop all cultural blunders. The more
responses are interfering in your communication.exposure you have with other cultures, the
This will keep you on the right track.better you will become at stopping almost all of
2 - Cultivate Your Capacity To Recuperate Fromthem without anyone ever noticing.
Cultural BlundersCross cultural communication is a soft skill. It is
You will never be able to prevent all cross culturalalso a personal skill. Remember all of the people in
communication blunders. Just like you can'tyour business will need to acquire this soft skill.
prevent all communication difficulties in your nativeIn the beginning only the members of your team
culture. But just as you refine your soft skills towho are in direct contact with your international
get along well with those around you in your ownprospects and clients will acquire this skill. As your
culture, you need to work on your cross culturalinternational business grows all the people in your
skills.business will also gain cross cultural skills. This
How do you cultivate your capacity to recuperatetakes time and adjustment.
from the cultural blunders you will encounter? TheEveryone needs time to become adjusted to
first and most important step is to see them.dealing with cross cultural communication on a
In your current life you will have situations arisepersonal level.
where you are not aware of theThese personal adjustments throughout all of
misunderstandings going on in your conversations.your company are just as important, to any one
This happens, but usually it does not happen veryperson's cross cultural skills, in preventing cultural
often. Usually you catch communicationblunders.