Tips On Handling a Cross-Cultural Communication

Communication is a vital part of human existence. We live in a diverse world with more than enough cultural differences. Cross-cultural communication can be challenging, especially in an event where people who speak different languages are present.

If they do not feel included in the event proceedings, they will likely not attend the next one you invite them to, nor will any projects or business between parties run smoothly.

In this article, six relevant tips for successfully handling a cross-cultural event are shared:

Research your expected audience

If you are the event's organizer, it is essential to do adequate research on the kind of people attending your event. Research helps you discover how to relate with them properly without offending anyone or saying inappropriate things. Certain things considered standards in your culture can seem rude or offensive in other cultures.

Should you address people on a first-name basis in this culture? Do they accept handshakes in this culture?

Do you have to be carefree or formal while communicating for the first time in this culture? These are some of the information you need to learn during your research before you can handle a successful cross-cultural event.

Use interpretation equipment

Holding a cross-cultural business event is an excellent way for employees to know each other and become better acquainted. If your employees speak different languages, you can use simultaneous interpretation equipment. With global technological advancements, high-quality and state-of-art sound interpretation equipment are now available and affordable.

Your business can use equipment such as interpretation booths, table-top booths, interpreter control units, FM receivers, two-way receivers, FM transmitters, and Mic headsets to connect interpreters to the audience and vice versa.

The equipment can also connect the live presentation feed to the interpreter allowing for a controlled recording environment, reducing external noise, and ultimately allowing for optimal interpretation. You can even hire a team of equipment technicians to set up and disable the equipment for you before and after use, respectively.

Practice active listening

One of the most effective tools to enhance cross-cultural communication is to be an active listener. When you pay close attention to the person speaking, you can build rapport and form a meaningful and lasting relationship with such an individual. When handling a business event, you should listen more than speak. Because the attendees are from diverse cultures, you will be sure to learn something new that can benefit your business or your personal life.

Be careful with humour

Cross-cultural communication requires that you be careful with your expressions in an utmost manner. It is essential to know that in many cultures, business-related matters require you to be formal, well-coordinated, and professional. These cultures will not accept jokes no matter how funny they are. If you want to be humorous, you should present your jokes in a manner that will be adequately understood and not termed as offensive.

Be open-minded

If you want that cross-cultural event you are organizing to be successful, you must be open-minded. This requires that you be unbiased and non-judgmental. You have to respect and accept other people's cultures and relate with them to that effect. For instance, an attendee may whistle during the event as a sign of approval. You should not see this as disrespectful, even if clapping is an action that shows approval in your own culture.

Speak comprehensively

Speaking comprehensively at a cross-cultural event requires modulating your speaking pace. Make sure not to speak too slowly or very fast to avoid offending your listeners. Communicate clearly by pronouncing general words so your listeners can understand you perfectly. Understand that you are speaking to people with diverse cultural practices; therefore, try to use straightforward expressions that everyone can easily understand as much as possible.

Expanding your reach effectively

Cross-cultural events help to enhance communication, internal connections, and global connections. Diverse ideas can help to enrich your knowledge about certain phenomena and enable you to produce higher quality and more creative output. Knowing how to handle cross-cultural events successfully will get you on the right track to communicating freely and effectively with people from different walks of life.

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