Prevent cultural misunderstandings through effective cross-cultural communication. Communicating Across Cultures increases awareness of the skills necessary for cross-cultural interaction. This is the best behavioral level introduction to the concept that we are all different, and therefore all have different styles of communicating. It doesn't put responsibility on any one group, thus it is better to show this video prior to Managing Differences and Diversity At Work.

• addresses the discomfort people feel with issues of race and gender
• provides skills for effective cross-cultural communication & why communication is so important
• raises awareness of barriers & examines misunderstandings based on miscommunication
• challenges employees to address "differences" that create misunderstanding
• provides a comprehensive facilitator's guide
  
• Includes 12 dramatized examples of common causes of misunderstandings

All of the dramas in this program are based on actual incident

1. "Conventions for courtesy" and differences can cause misperceptions...

2. "Sequencing " and cultural differences in providing information...

3. "Phasing" and differences affect protocol...

4. "Objectivity" and different styles of expression...

5. "Specificity" and different styles of negotiating...

6. "Assertiveness" and cultures vary in the ways of expression...

7. "Candor" and differences in priorities for communication...

8. "Simplicity" & consequences for not speaking in your own style...

9. "Accents" and bias against accents and jargon...

10. "Telephone" and some cultures prefer face to face...

11. "Walking on eggs" and the need for feedback and inclusion...

12. "Hot buttons" and dealing with jokes & hot buttons...

This program:

• Increase awareness and may bring out uncomfortable feelings at first. However, new awareness replaces previous insensitivity. Reassurance and support will help these people change.
• Provokes discussion. We hope that by "mentioning the unmentionable" and by opening up communication, we will promote understanding and valuing of diversity.
• Does not use differences to explain every misunderstanding or difficult situation. Some real problems have little or nothing to do with cultural differences, but result from issues outside the scope of this program.

Managing Differences
Diversity At Work
Communicating Across Cultures
You Make The Difference
Supervising Differences
Champions Of Diversity
Profiles In Change