You're listening to Business English Pod, the Business English podcast for professionals on the move.
Welcome back to Business English Pod.
My name's Edwin and I'll be your host for this episode, the second of a two-part series on working in multicultural teams.
These days, working with people from different cultures is quite common.
You might be meeting with colleagues in another country or on another continent.
Business practices vary all over the world.
Some cultures are more formal than others.
Some have distinct customs regarding greetings, gender roles and food, so it's helpful to know as much as possible about the other business cultures before you meet your team.
But even if you've done your research carefully, problems can still arise, especially in face-to-face meetings.
There can be miscommunications points that need clarification and different ideas of what's acceptable in a business environment.
Today we'll look at issues like slang and idioms, concepts of time, forms of address and misunderstandings due to culture.
We'll also discuss opening interactions and explain different business customs.
In the last episode, we met Tao Ming, a US-based manager at a multinational company.
Originally from China, Ming has worked in New York for many years and is now headed to Brazil, where he'll lead a research team.
He did some background reading and discussed Brazilian culture with a colleague before he left.
Now he's heading his first meeting with his new Brazilian team.
As you listen to the dialogue, try to answer the following questions.
What are two idioms Ming needs to explain?
What suggestion does Carla make at the beginning of the meeting?
Why does Felipe mispronounce Ming's name?
Good morning.
It's good to see you all.
My name is Cao Ming, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone.
We've got a lot on the agenda today, so let's jump right in.
Jump right in?
Oops.
I mean, let's get the meeting started right away.
So we'll kick off.
I mean start by brainstorming some ideas on.
Sorry, Dr Tsao, but would you mind if we took a few minutes to introduce ourselves before we jump right in?
Oh, yes, by all means.
And feel free to call me by my surname, Tsao, or my first name, Ming.
You can drop the doctor.
So let's go ahead with introductions.
Well, I'm Carla Silva.
And I've been with the company for over 15 years, mainly in RD, investigating potential new uses of some other products that we've been developing here.
That sounds quite interesting.
So let's talk a bit about the testing schedule.
Time is short and we need to... Oh, you're all already here.
Yes.
Can I help you?
I'm Dr. Felipe Santos.
I'm the director of research here in Curitiba.
And you must be Dr. Kao.
Yes, but actually my name is pronounced Taal.
Oh, I'm sorry.
The spelling threw me off.
No problem at all.
That's a common slip.
Please have a seat.
We're discussing the testing schedule.
Carla, what were your thoughts on that?
I suggest extending the testing period until February, because that way Carla Dr Tsao is running this project.
I'm sure he has the schedule all arranged.
Actually, no.
I'm new to this project, so I welcome any ideas.
I'm interested in everyone's input.
Carla, please continue.
I was just saying if we extend the testing period until February, we'll stand a better chance of meeting the production deadline on time.
Ming encounters a number of multicultural challenges in this meeting.
Let's look at them in more detail.
How does the meeting begin?
Good morning.
It's good to see you all.
My name is Cao Ming, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone.
We've got a lot on the agenda today, so let's jump right in.
Jump right in?
Oops.
I mean, let's get the meeting started right away.
So we'll kick off.
I mean start by brainstorming some ideas.
First, Ming greets his team and suggests that they jump right in or start discussing the agenda right away.
Jump right in is an idiom that means to start immediately and is Ming's first trouble spot.
Carla asks for clarification. and Ming restates his idea in simpler language.
Notice that when he uses another idiom, kick off, meaning to start, he catches himself and explains the meaning immediately.
Idioms and slang are common in most languages, and it's easy to use them without even realizing it.
They don't always translate between languages, so we can't take for granted that our team members will understand.
It's always safer to avoid idioms and slang if we can, or to clarify their meaning as soon as they're used.
Let's practice a few more ways to explain idioms and slang.
Can I get you a cup of java?
Sorry, I meant coffee.
How long will you be in the Big Apple?
Oops, I mean New York City.
That happens once in a blue moon.
Oh, pardon me.
I mean rarely.
We should sleep on this.
You know, think about it overnight and decide tomorrow.
Next, Carla has another question.
Sorry, Dr Tsao, but would you mind if we took a few minutes to introduce ourselves before we jump right in?
In many cultures, building relationships is an important part of doing business.
People want to develop trust and goodwill before working together.
Making introductions and getting to know one another as a meeting starts is one way to bond with others and foster these significant relationships.
So when Carla suggests they take a few minutes to introduce themselves, she points out how opening interactions happen in her culture.
Not all meetings begin this way, however.
For example, in the United States, participants usually start business right away.
Sometimes it's hard to know what's expected, but we can find some clues in our language.
Let's hear some examples.
Why don't we all introduce ourselves?
Did you see the game last night?
I really hope I get a chance to go to a game whilst I'm here.
So the first item on the agenda is the budget.
Let's order our meals first, then talk about business.
Oh yes, by all means.
And feel free to call me by my surname, Cao, or my first name, Ming.
You can drop the doctor.
So let's go ahead with introductions.
By all means is another way to say, yes, of course.
Ming also takes this opportunity to tell members how he prefers to be called, saying they can drop the doctor.
This means they can stop using the title doctor.
Ming doesn't mind being addressed more informally.
Forms of address including honorary titles like Doctor, Professor and Sir are one way to show respect for one's colleagues.
Some other common titles are Madame, Madame, Señor, Miss, Reverend, Your Honor, etc.
When people know each other better, they might decide.
The title is no longer necessary and some people prefer to always use first names, especially in the US.
Cultures vary in formality, and forms of address can be a matter of personal preference.
If you're not sure how to address someone, it's fine to ask.
You can also be direct about how you'd like people to address you, as the following examples illustrate.
Please call me Rita.
Feel free to use the to form now.
His formal title is Your Honor, but outside court you can just call him Judge Roberts.
He's a medical doctor, so call him Dr. Patel.
Now, let's go back to the meeting in progress.
That sounds quite interesting.
So let's talk a bit about the testing schedule.
Time is short and we need to... Oh, you're all already here.
Ming uses the phrase time is short to indicate they have only a short amount of time to discuss the testing schedule.
When Felipe enters, he's surprised that all the other team members are there.
And... that the meeting has begun already.
In some cultures, appointments happen at a precise time and not a moment later.
In others, time is more relaxed, and to arrive 10 or 20 minutes late is not considered unreasonable.
In this case, Ming and Felipe have different concepts of what time the meeting starts.
Before working with a multicultural team, try to get a sense of how time is viewed among members.
You might need to adjust your expectations a bit.
How can we politely and professionally handle different concepts of time?
Here are some ideas.
Let's give our colleagues a few more minutes.
Our conference will start at 10 a.m. on the dot.
Mr. Schneider called to apologize.
He's stuck in traffic and is running late.
No need to worry.
Alberto always takes his time at lunch.
He'll be along shortly.
On the dot means precisely at a specific time.
So if a conference begins at 10 a.m. on the dot...
It means it begins exactly at 10 and not a moment later.
Now, let's hear more from Ming and Felipe.
I'm Dr. Felipe Santos.
I'm the director of research here in Curitiba.
And you must be Dr. Cao.
Yes, but actually my name is pronounced Cao.
Oh, I'm sorry.
The spelling threw me off.
No problem at all.
That's a common slip.
Felipe mispronounces Ming's name.
But Ming doesn't take offense.
He says it's a common slip or a mistake in speech, and it's easy to understand how Felipe could make the slip.
Ming's family name is spelled C-A-O and to someone who doesn't know Chinese it could look like it's pronounced cow.
What has happened here is a culture bump, a small misunderstanding.
Note, however, that Felipe is correct about the name itself, even if he mispronounces it.
In Chinese, the family name comes before the given name.
Therefore, Ming's family name, Tao, comes first, making him Dr. Tao.
Culture bumps are bound to happen when people from different backgrounds work together.
Usually, there is no reason to be upset about them, as no offense is intended.
Most culture bumps occur because people just aren't aware of a certain custom or language.
It's easy to handle a culture bump.
You can simply point out the misunderstanding, assure the other person that no offense is taken and move on.
Let's hear some other ways to do this.
Don't worry about being late.
We're glad you can join us.
You look fine.
A suit is always appropriate.
We don't drink until after the toast, but that's okay.
You didn't know.
We pass our dishes to the left here.
No problem, though.
I'll just reverse the direction.
We're discussing the testing schedule.
Carla, what were your thoughts on that?
I suggest extending the testing period until February, because that way Carla Dr Tsao is running this project.
I'm sure he has the schedule all arranged.
Actually, no.
I'm new to this project, so I welcome any ideas.
I'm interested in everyone's input.
Carla, please continue.
Felipe interrupts Carla as she gives her thoughts on the testing schedule.
In his culture, it's considered inappropriate and disrespectful for a subordinate to give suggestions like this.
He believes the boss would have everything all figured out and would not welcome help from lower-ranked employees.
But Ming feels differently.
He encourages input from anyone, regardless of rank.
In American culture, this is the usual approach to discussing ideas.
When working with a multicultural team, we sometimes need to explain what is or isn't acceptable in our own business culture.
It may seem awkward, but there are ways to explain differences in a polite, friendly way.
For example... We're very casual here at the Miami branch, especially in the summer.
It's okay to wear flip-flops.
It's not always acceptable to shake hands with a woman in the Middle East.
Wait and see if she offers her hand first.
Here in Argentina, we like to keep lots of eye contact with the person we're talking to.
Now, let's practice some of the language functions and vocabulary we've covered today.
First, we'll practice language that can be used in opening interactions.
In many cultures, it's customary to make small talk before a meeting begins.
This gives participants a chance to get to know one another, an important step for building relationships.
So let's practice making some small talk.
You'll hear a question followed by a prompt.
Use the language in the prompt to answer the question.
For example, if you hear, Did you see the soccer match last night?
Amazing game.
You can say, Yes, what an amazing game.
We'll play a sample answer after each one.
Are you ready?
Let's give it a go.
How long will you be in Brasilia?
A week.
Example answer.
I'll be here for about a week.
What are you planning to do during your stay in London?
British Museum, several plays.
Example answer.
I want to visit the British Museum and see several plays.
Is this your first trip to Asia?
No, South Korea, two years.
Example answer.
No.
I traveled to South Korea two years ago.
Do you have a large family?
Yes.
Husband.
Four children.
Example answer.
Yes, my husband and I have four children.
Now, let's practice useful vocabulary and idioms.
You'll hear a series of sentences with a word replaced with a beep.
Repeat the whole sentence saying the missing word.
For example, if you hear... We need some time to think.
Let's... on this.
You can say... We need some time to think.
Let's sleep on this.
After each response, we'll play the correct answer.
Let's begin.
The presentation will start at 2pm on the... Answer.
The presentation will start at 2pm on the dot.
In some cultures, it's rude to make too much contact.
Answer.
In some cultures, it's rude to make too much eye contact.
Let's things off with a report from marketing.
Answer.
Let's kick things off with a report from marketing.
Answer.
We should call to tell them we're running late.
I'd like to see Rockefeller Center when I visit the big...
Answer.
I'd like to see Rockefeller Center when I visit the Big Apple.
A culture will happen from time to time.
Answer.
A culture bump will happen from time to time.
We've reached the end of this episode, the second of a two-part series on working with multicultural teams.
We've discussed a number of ways to politely handle cultural bumps different concepts of time slang, and idioms and forms of address.
And we've covered language you can use to open multicultural meetings and explain differences in business culture.
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Thanks for listening, and see you next time.
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