Cross Cultural Presentations
|
The international flavour of many people's jobs naturally means that there is greater interaction between people from different cultures. Within the business environment, understanding and coping with intercultural differences between people is critical to ensuring that interpersonal communication is successful.
Intercultural awareness is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, it minimises the possibility of misunderstandings and/or the causing of offense through intercultural mishaps. Secondly, it is a means to maximising the potential of business relationships through the utilization of intercultural differences productively.
One area within the business environment in which intercultural awareness is a necessity is in the business presentation. Directors, managers, salespeople, consultants and business personnel are regularly required to deliver presentations. However, when one is asked to give a presentation to an audience from a different culture there are intercultural factors that can hinder the success of a presentation.
By way of illustrating some of the intercultural differences in presentations, these tips to effective cross cultural presentations are offered:
Language:
The language you use in a cross cultural presentation is important. Although the majority of the language that is used in a cross cultural presentation will be understood by an English speaking foreign audience, a speaker must be careful when it comes to slang, idioms or phrases.
If an Englishman were to talk of being "knocked for six" or "bowled over" he may very well be met with puzzled expressions. More subtly, when an American talks of a 'billion' he means a thousand million, whereas in the UK this would mean a million million. Try and keep language simple.
Body Language:
Pay attention to your body language in a cross cultural presentation. Some cultures are quite animated and will appreciate hand gestures and the expression of emotion through the body. Others expect speakers to remain calm and would find such behaviour over the top. Similarly pay attention to the use of gestures. The thumbs up may mean 'good' in the USA but it means something very different in Iran. Eye contact can also be a major intercultural difference. Some cultures consider strong eye contact a sign of sincerity, others find it overbearing and an invasion of privacy. Do your cross cultural homework before a presentation.
Time:
Be aware of different approaches to time across cultures. Some cultures prefer a structured, timetabled approach to conducting business affairs, others are more casual. In countries where a start time is considered a guide rather than a definite, allow time for networking or engage in some chit chat until others arrive. Oppositely, if you arrive late to a meeting in a punctual culture, expect some negative feedback. Always show the appropriate stiffness or flexibility depending on the culture.
Emotions:
Some cross cultural presentations may be in front of a small number of people and deal with sensitive issues in a pressured environment. In such intercultural situations one should always keep their emotions in check. In some cultures a certain amount of cross examination or scrutiny may occur. If this happens bear in mind the positive intentions behind such actions, i.e. the questions are only being posed to establish facts, not to undermine you. Never lose patience, show frustration or display anger. To do so will lead to a loss of credibility.
Style of Presentation:
Different cultures learn and take in information in varying ways. One should always try and tailor their presentation style to meet the needs of the target culture. Some cultures, such as Europeans, prefer information to be presented in detail and in a way that sets down foundations that act as the support to a final argument or point. In such a presentation the speaker should gradually lead the audience, using a logical succession of points, to a conclusion. On the other hand, some cultures, like the US, prefer a much faster paced presentation that is bottom-line orientated, meaning the presenter speaks from a point rather towards a point.
Use of Technology:
Power Point is not the default method of giving a presentation across the world. Some countries many not even have the technical capabilities to accommodate this so one would need to adapt to the resources at hand, whether it be an Over Head Projector or blackboard. Some cultures do not even like a visual element to presentations and find much more worth in words and personality.
Content:
In a cross cultural presentation, ensure you tailor the content of a presentation to the audience. Different cultures expect different things from a business presentation. Long term orientated cultures may be excited about future projections and figures, but others would rather learn more about the presenter's credentials, accomplishments and experience. A presenter needs to ask whether the target culture will appreciate factual, statistical information presented visually, or a more personal oratory approach.
Audience Participation:
Audiences react in different ways across cultures. Some are very engaging and are willing to participate in exercises and Q&A sessions, others are the opposite. Audiences also show respect in many ways. A Japanese audience may close their eyes while listening; a US one may clap when a good point is made and a Saudi one may do nothing at all.
Although the number of areas where one could point to intercultural differences in presentations is vast, for the sake of brevity the above mentioned areas have been highlighted as a way of drawing attention to some of the major ones. It is hoped these can then act as a foundation to improving ones insight into the way intercultural differences manifest in the business environment.
Neil Payne is Managing Director of Kwintessential, a company providing intercultural awareness training.Visit their site at:http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cross-cultural/cross-cultural-awareness.html
|
|
|
Top 6 Reasons Why You Need A Remote For Powerpoint Presentations
A top complaint from audience members is that many presenters put too much emphasis on PowerPoint and technology while neglecting the message and interaction with participants. One way to deliver more effective presentations that improve your connection to your audience is to add a remote control to your presentation tools.Why would one more piece of technology actually switch your focus from PowerPoint to your audience? Have you been distracted (or bored) as a presenter stopped the flow of their talk to pace back to the ...(related: Presentation)
Can Stage Presence Be Learned?
What is stage presence? Can it be learned?There are, undoubtedly, some 'naturals' in this field. The fine Welsh actor Richard Burton, for example, on his debut performance at 16, playing an extra scrubbing steps, was said to distract the audience from the Shakespearean play! Many actors commented on Burton's extraordinary stage presence, in particular his stillness ? the audience were drawn to him even when he was apparently doing nothing.And herein lies a lesson. We never do 'nothing'. Every moment of our lives is filled with interactions. Even lying asleep in bed, you adopt a position which reveals something about your inner state. Every moment, we transmit informatio...(related: Presentation)
Facilitating Panel Discussions
A client recently called to say she was going to facilitate a panel for the next business meeting. She had never done so before and asked if I could coach her. After the session, she realized that there are some basic skills needed when facilitating a panel of speaker.To create a seamless and smooth panel discussion here are some tips every facilitator must know:Meet the panelists in advance: The meeting can be a phone call. Get a sense of their styles and message points. Decide how long each person will speak and in what order. Have them send an introductory paragraph.Consider logistics: Contact the meeting planner a...(related: Presentation)
Presentation Skills: Be More Productive Using A Facilitator Mode
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there are also many different modes you can focus on. Are you a facilitator or an educator? ...(related: Presentation)
Seven Tips For Coping With Pre-stage Jitters
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar faces or new, you may feel that the stress of speaking is always with you. If so, these seven tips will help you work through tension and communicate with confidence.1. Recognize that stress is natural: It helps you sort out which situations are "dangerous" and which are not. The problem occurs when presenters allow their minds to dwell on the stress rather than on the situation. They become sh...(related: Presentation)
Your Unique Point Of View
I had a chance to go to one of those big positive thinking rallies recently. I am one of those positive personal growth people that really enjoy that kind of thing. Throughout the da...(related: Presentation)
The Ten Essential Tips On Writing A Powerful And Persuasive Presentation
Have you ever had to give a speech?Do you remember that feeling? A knot in the stomach, sweaty palmsand a panic attack!Not a very pleasant experience. And yet, I'm sure your speech was a successbecause 90 % of a typical audience want the speaker to succeed.Yet according to the Book of Lists, speaking in public is one of ourgreatest fears.Much of this anxiety is due to a lack of co...(related: Presentation)
Just Say No To Powerpoint: Enough Is Enough!
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting and once everyone has arrived, the lights are often dimmed and the show begins. The presenter clicks the mouse again and again, showing you slide after slide until you can take no more. Exasperated, you shut your eyes and doze off. You have just been slideswiped!
Or, have the training classes and presentations at your company become stale and commonplace? Do they tend to look and feel exactly the same regardless of the topic? The only diffe...(related: Presentation)
Winning The Big Pitch - The 7 Deadly Sins Of Business Presentations And How To Avoid Them!
Are poor presentations costing you business?The ability to deliver a presentation to potential investors or clients is an essential skill for any budding entrepreneur, sales professional or consultant.Whether it's a '15-second elevator pitch' or a more extensive presentation, winning over and persuading audiences is vital in today's competitive capital raising and sales env...(related: Presentation)
Tips To Temper Speaking Anxiety
People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some skill in public speaking. Yet anxiety persists because leaders face very challenging situations and have a great risk of embarrassment. Here are some tips for tempering those anxieties.INTRODUCING A SPEAKERWhen you introduce a speaker, answer three questions: 1) Why is ...(related: Presentation)
The End Is The Beginning
People remember best what you say last. In a presentation, what people take with them to put into action or to connect with what they already know depen...(related: Presentation)
Lecturing From The Lectern
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes them feel more secure. The only reason speakers should use a lectern is to hold notes.Here are a few guidelines to make the lectern work for you.Don't lean. Create some space. Step back six to twelve inches from the lectern so that you can't lean against it.Stand up straight. Slumping posture will create a sloppy appearance.Anchor your feet. If you sway back and forth, you'll look like a buoy bobbing in the water. You don't want to put people to sleep with hypnotic movement.Prepare the lectern in advance....(related: Presentation)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Presentation