| As more and more internal business structures | | | | certain culture is being mistreated, mostly ethnic |
| have been radically transformed; mainly in the | | | | minorities. For example in Malaysia: Governmental |
| communication and transportation technology. The | | | | companies have a ratio of 60%~80% Malays, |
| need for global interdependency has also increased | | | | 10%~20% Chinese, 5%~8% Indian and only 1% |
| resulting in companies fighting to conquer an | | | | for other cultures. |
| international market by obtaining an intercultural | | | | Such cases would induce lack of respect for each |
| business. | | | | other, alienating different ethnic groups and in the |
| There are many factors to be taken into account | | | | end poor work contribution. When leading an |
| when a company wants its business to be | | | | intercultural business, one needs to understand |
| established in foreign grounds. The main concern | | | | and take care of the minorities, as a company is |
| when doing so would be intercultural differences. | | | | like a clock and for a clock to work properly it |
| Regardless of how well you manage you business | | | | needs all of the mechanical parts inside to work |
| there will be intercultural misunderstandings, which | | | | together not against each other. (Remember the |
| will spark, in a regular basis. | | | | show "The Incredible"???) |
| The smart move to do then would be to | | | | Sure it is arguable that a company with a sole or |
| introduce intercultural education or meetings to | | | | one culture would work better than an |
| brief the staffs of their differences. Intercultural | | | | intercultural company. Trying having all your close |
| education doesn't mean we have to fully | | | | friends to work with you together, you'd get |
| understand their religion or culture, but it is more | | | | more cooperation and understanding as you don't |
| like a guideline for the do's and don'ts of a certain | | | | have to explain much all you need is a glare. |
| race or culture. | | | | But that would otherwise disprove the need for |
| Intercultural education or training sessions focuses | | | | global interdependency. Sure, you'll get more |
| on helping a team to realize their differences and | | | | cooperation and understanding, but what about |
| similarities. Such areas like status, hierarchy, | | | | other markets and foreign territories? China is an |
| decision-making, conflict resolution, showing | | | | exploding market and their doors are open, are |
| emotion and ultimately cultural relation building. | | | | you fit enough to go in as you are? Wouldn't it be |
| From this basis, teams are then tutored on how | | | | a better idea if you were to send a Chinese |
| to recognize future communication difficulties and | | | | representative over there, you'll make more |
| their cultural roots molding them into becoming | | | | handshakes in a day as they are local. India is also |
| more self-reliant. This would result in a more | | | | a vast market, wait, you have an Indian staff go |
| cohesive and productive team. | | | | right on in. There are endless possibilities for |
| When a company has a majority staff or clients | | | | intercultural companies; the only thing left to do |
| with the same culture, their business can carry | | | | now is to have better intercultural education with |
| out smoothly without touching to much sensitive | | | | one another respecting each other while joining |
| issue. But problems arise when the diversity of a | | | | hand in hand to a prosperous future. |