Managing Communication within Virtual Intercultural Teams

An article by Christine Uber Grosse Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management:http://ow.ly/1fLvs

Abstract

As global companies rely more on virtual teams to conduct short and long- term projects, business students need to be prepared to manage the communication of intercultural teams. Communicating across cultures using technology can be a difficult task. Best practices in managing the communication of virtual intercultural teams are identified from interviews with four executives and feedback from 90 graduate business students. This information will help business communication faculty to prepare students for the complex job of communicating across languages and cultures on virtual teams.

Cultural differences in doing business in Turkey and the Netherlands

An ING Bank commissioned report gives a good, solid overview of major differences, including standard measures such as power distance, individualism, masculine/feminine and uncertainty avoidance: http://ow.ly/1fszh

Introduction, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson

The following is an introduction speech for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson on the occasion of his visit to Europe during Diversity Tour 2010, organized and executed by Layla Zijp (GrapeVine Promotions International). The speech kicked off a press conference held at the Steinberger Kurhaus Hotel, the Hague (the Netherlands) on 4 February 2010.

I was born and raised in California, on the west coast of the US, in 1957. When I was coming of age in the 1960’s, the most prominent civil rights leader for us was César Chávez. As head and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, señor Chávez was the embodiment of the migrant workers’ struggle for basic human rights in California and the Southwest. He was, for us, the most visible figure in the struggle for human rights in general.

During his “Fast for Life” on August 21, 1988, Chávez was visited by the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson. Of course, by 1988, I had heard of Rev. Jackson and knew who he was. But Rev. Jackson was “East Coast” (according to Californians, pretty much everything east of the Rockies is “East Coast”). He was for the blacks; he was distant. Chávez was our man, la familia, the one fighting for la raza. Until that day in August, 1988.

There is an iconic photograph from that day that for many represents putting in perspective the local and regional struggle for migrant workers’ rights in the larger global struggle for human rights everywhere. It shows Chávez, weak and thin from 36 days into his hunger strike, sitting in a simple wooden chair in the dusty sunlight. Kneeling next to him in the dirt is Rev. Jackson. Chávez is passing a simple crucifix that represents his “Fast for Life” to Rev. Jackson. The two appear to be praying together. At this moment, not only is Rev. Jackson accepting the symbolism of shouldering Chávez’ struggle, he is also accepting the practice of the fast. From this moment, he himself begins a 3-day fast, going from this time forward with only water to sustain him, before passing the cause on to others. This symbolic struggle was then assumed by leaders across the country, which gave enormous attention to the workers’ struggle that Chávez advocated. After this, the plight of migrant workers in California became a national issue, thanks to the intervention of Rev. Jackson. But even more, for we “nativos” it symbolized a joining of forces. Jackson literally and figuratively offering his hand to Chávez, and to us, with a simple, “Hermano, sí se puede.”

And of course that gesture has now echoed across generations and across continents, to where, finally, a man also from a disadvantaged background and of color, ascended the steps to the White House using the same words, “Sí se puede,” – “Yes we can.”

And to me, and to millions of Latinos over the world, the circle was made complete when as one of his first significant and lasting decisions as Chief Executive, President Barack Obama nominated the first Hispanic to the US Supreme Court: Her Honor Sonia Sotomayor. The hand that Rev. Jackson reached out to César Chávez was then offered to Barack Obama, and then through him to maestra Sotomayor. The circle is complete, and we are all stronger for it.

It is with great honor and humility that I introduce to you the pre-eminent civil rights leader of our time, the champion of the voiceless and disenfranchised everywhere: Reverend Dr. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.

Leo Salazar

4 February 2010

The Hague, the Netherlands

Day 1

Interesting, viewing Eric and Dori's training. Very Baak-y: reflection, intimacy, honesty, authenticity. Safety. It went a bit awry at the end, but they pulled it out. Polling the participants they seem enthusiastic, but have reservations if this is something they can use. By the end of today, the second day, this should start to land with them.

An interesting measure of the company culture yesterday evening. A "brainstorm session" for the facilitators on "virtual learning." Very fast, incomplete, major assumptions and little processing. Using a "love meter" to rate presentation success with no conclusion. Felt like a game show. What struck me the most was 1) the absence of understanding or experience with virtual learning environments or terminology (or, worse, the entire concept), and 2) a lack of professional L&D jargon (one of many examples: instead of "evaluation" phase of learning, they named it "feedback"). Is it because of the bi-lingual approach (English, but with a heavy French influence)? Processing was left to an artist and a notulist. "What will happen with your summaries?" I asked. "I dunno," the notulist said, "I guess sent in an email." What? Not posted to the intranet? This says a lot.

Cap Gemini University week

I'm here at the Cap Gemini University for the week, evaluating the CTI training method as adapted by Eric Kohner for Ekcosystem. We've been talking about a potential cooperation between Ekcosystem and De Baak for some time now, and this is the first time I will be able to see this method in action. I arrived here at Les Fontaines the corporate training center for CG in Chantilly, France, just outside Paris. Here are a few of my initial observations:

• This is clearly a corporate learning center. There are hundreds of participants here, from all levels. This is "University Week," and the learning is spilling out from the classrooms into the hallways: flip charts and white boards with models and brainstorms. Corporate sayings littering the walls and tying-together themes done up by an artist.
• Eric. What a unique individual. While most are dressed in business casual, he's walking around in baggy jeans and a sweatshirt that was property of the NYPD. He's the embodiment of "good salesmen can sell anything." He's a predator, always moving, like a shark cruising for its next victim, looking for a connection. He's been introducing me around and it's reassuring seeing the Baak reputation spilling over the border. Because of CG's large Dutch presence, there are many Dutch amongst the staff. "Oooh, De Baak!!!" is their consistent reaction. I'll be curious to see him "in action" on Wednesday.
• Recession? What recession? Eric says this is a profit center for CG, but in order to make profits as a learning center you need, as the English say, bums on seats. There's no want for participants here, not as far as I can see.
• Eric introduced me to the head of corporate learning for CG. Eric, being the acquisition beast he is, pushed product. The man said, "Sales. Sales, sales, sales. CG is all about sales training right now." This is a clear market signal: smart companies, at least this one, are looking to expand their market presence.

Alarm has gone off. More later.

9.09.09: "Who Are We: Reflections on Dutch Leadership & Society"

On 9 September 2009 De Baak held "Who Are We: Reflections on Dutch Leadership & Society" at Amsterdam Bright City. It was a lively discussion with many comments, ideas, and opinions about what makes "Dutch Leadership." (see www.whoarewe.nl for more about this evening). There were a number of sub-topics raised during this exchange, some of which would be good to discuss further. Some of these topics I'll post here.

The Art of Leading in China: Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility

• Does doing business in China interest you?
• How about Corporate Social Responsbility?

If so, next Tuesday evening, 2 June, 2009, at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam might be interesting for you.

De Baak has engaged Mr. Jochum Haakma, the former Consul General of Shanghai, among many other illustrious posts, to speak at our “The Art of Leading in China” series. He is also associated with the NFIA and the NCH, as well as the private sector, and has a good insight into both public and private ventures in China.

See www.debaak.com/theartof for more information.