Answer:
Telephone conferences can be very effective in improving business communication and cooperation within international companies. However, sometimes problems can arise when participants don’t know what to expect from each other.
Let’s look at how different cultures might approach this kind of communication - perhaps Brazilian people need some personal contact before acting or would like to know the benefits of providing information.
Small talk can be very important for Americans to build relationships. British people might use humor, whereas Chinese colleagues may want to check with the group or boss before responding.
If there are no sensitive issues involved, it’s a good idea to use emails to communicate information beforehand, taking care to respect cultural differences when addressing people (for example, the use of first names in the US, and titles in Austria).
Be sure to follow your emails with telephone or face-to-face communication, especially when cooperating with cultures with high person orientation.
The telephone conference itself should have a clear structure, with time to speak for everyone. Make sure that everyone is still involved by asking for feedback from individuals, and keep in mind that some people may have to check with the group or boss before expressing an opinion.
Explanation:
