Bridging the Culture Gap

by Carte, Penny

• ISBN13: 9780749452742
• ISBN10: 0749452749
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-01
• Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd

Summary

As globalization continues to gather momentum, the contact between business people from other countries is becoming more and more frequent. The more national boundaries a company crosses, the greater the scope for misunderstanding and conflict. To succeed internationally, it is essential to be able to break the barriers of culture, language and set patterns of thinking. The second edition of Bridging the Culture Gap, written by two of Canning's most experienced trainers, is a distillation of many years' work and is based on the real-life business situations of their international clients. You'll find out how to interpret the party line, communicate with style, get your message across, be sensitive to other cultures, and ultimately, win the deal. This fully updated new edition also includes a new chapter on making yourself understood in English. Packed with fascinating cases, cultural awareness scales, communication style tests and practical tips, this lively guide will help anyone - of any nationality - to become a better communicator. Whether you're planning to give a presentation to a cross-cultural group or about to negotiate with an overseas client, Bridging the Culture Gap will ensure that your cultural awareness antennae are well tuned.

Table of Contents

About Canning	p. vii
About the authors	p. ix
Foreword	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xiii
Introduction	p. 1
Interpreting the party line	p. 5
Mission statements	p. 6
Corporate initiatives	p. 8
Working rhythms	p. 14
Communication styles	p. 17
Knowing your place	p. 21
Handling the hierarchy	p. 23
Taking responsibility	p. 30
Monitoring performance	p. 32
Getting people to play ball	p. 36
Knowing the limits	p. 45
Rules, regulations and the laws of the land	p. 47
Gifts, favours and bribes	p. 52
Nepotism	p. 56
Discretion versus dishonesty	p. 60
Knowing the form	p. 65
Greeting people	p. 67
Making small talk	p. 70
Playing the conversation game	p. 71
Choosing what to say and how to say it	p. 73
Trying to be funny	p. 78
Avoiding hidden dangers	p. 81
Making presentations	p. 85
Choosing the right style	p. 87
Finding a concrete context	p. 97
Speaking with impact	p. 103
Making deals	p. 111
Picking the right people	p. 113
Thinking about pace and place	p. 118
Playing the game to win	p. 123
Making yourself understood in English	p. 137
Language	p. 139
Communication techniques	p. 150
Knowing yourself	p. 161
Relationships	p. 163
Communication	p. 169
Time	p. 172
Truth	p. 176
The meaning of life	p. 179
Presentation style	p. 181
A final word	p. 183
False friends	p. 185
References	p. 191
Further reading	p. 193
Index	p. 197
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