HOW TO COMMUNICATE GLOBALLY

By Sue Teresa Tan

Because of numerous technological advancements, the world has gotten smaller and
communication is more effective and efficient. People have ceased to be limited by their
geographical boundaries when it comes to reaching out to other people. Countries are
connected together in a global village because of the innovations that make communicating
real-time across different locations around the world possible.
Whether you’re a business owner or simply somebody who wants to stay constantly
updated, global communication is an indispensable tool that you can use. Learning how to
communicate globally is the best way to reach out to more people across different
continents.
Step 1
Be considerate of cultural differences. When communicating globally, it’s important for you
to understand that cultures and beliefs vary across different nations. Even provinces and
states within the same country have different ways of handling business or doing certain
things. You want to factor in cultural differences and learn to be more flexible in
accommodating these differences so you can communicate effectively with your peers from
other countries.
Step 2
Learn how your associates deal with things in their countries. The best way to handle
cultural differences is to research beforehand how different countries handle business
meetings or any other type of discourse. For instance, the Japanese prefer that you get
straight to the point instead of making small talk.
Step 3
Be aware of language barriers. English is usually the medium of discourse, but take note that
some countries do not necessarily use this as their primary language. While you may sound
smart with witty jargon among those who have been speaking the language for most of their
lives, people from China or France, for instance, may not understand your wit. Best to stick
to formal English, which is easier to understand.
Step 4
Go over any form of written correspondence before you send it out to your contacts. It is easy
to unconsciously cause misunderstandings when you deal with people from different parts
of the world. When reviewing your correspondence, make sure that you’re not using
derogatory terms or even sentences that may be taken in the wrong light.
Step 5
Always stay updated with developments in communications and information technology.
Over the years, technology has improved so that it’s now possible to obtain real-time updates
from people located from the other side of the world. To be able to maintain the efficiency of
global communications, it’s important that you stay updated with the latest trends and try to
incorporate the more effective ones in your communication strategies.
Always be sensitive to the needs of the people you get to talk to. Since cultural differences
exist, it’s important that you stay attuned to potential challenges when dealing with people
from other nations.