4
The International Virtual Office A NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION BY DESIGN, INC. Corporate mergers and expanding markets have created a new concept of the office. In today’s business world, you may be part of an international virtual office team with co- workers in multiple countries and time zones. This new environment offers benefits, but presents unique challenges. If we are aware of and address the linguistic, cultural, legal, and technological challenges that such teams may encounter, we can benefit from this exciting environment. Linguistic factors As international virtual office team members, we may not share the same native language. Even when all team members speak English – which is becoming the global language for business – co-workers may not understand linguistic nuances and expressions. As we communicate, we should: • Keep communication clear, concise, to the point, and on topic. • Avoid using idioms and colloquialisms. • Develop and use glossaries. Cultural factors Different cultures have different expectations for communication. One team member may become annoyed when a co- worker provides extensive background information, while another is confused if insufficient detail is given. In addition, not all cultures are tolerant of a direct, imperative tone, especially without face-to-face communication. To help address such cultural factors, we can: • Modulate the tone of electronic communication. • Meet face to face, if possible. • Listen – especially for silences – and reopen the lines of communication if a team member stops communicating. • Show respect for and appreciation of other cultures. • Learn about intercultural communication. Legal factors In an international virtual office, boundaries between countries blur, and we may forget that different laws govern each team member. For instance, one team member’s country may have strict laws regarding copyrights while another team member’s country may have liberal copyright laws that permit the use of material copyrighted by others. We may also assume that English is acceptable for everyone and not provide translations where legally required. To reduce misunderstanding because of legal factors, we should: • Communicate clearly any legal expectations. • Research and respect the laws of other team members’ countries. • Provide translations as required by in-country regulations. The International Virtual Office Country Profile: Czech Republic European Union: Current View Avian flu precautions Esprit d'ICD In This Issue ICD Travel Tip Euro-Jargon Catherine's Column International Puzzler ICD on the Road 4 4 2 Features WINTER 2006 VOL.5 NO.1 When in Ghana Take the Canopy Walkway in Kakum National Park for an overhead view of the rainforest. This series of seven rope bridges, suspended 30 meters above the ground, is one of only a few such rope bridges in the world. If you visit the country at the end of March, be prepared with protective eyewear to experience the total solar eclipse expected in certain regions of Ghana on March 29, 2006. 2 3 3 You can improve communication within your international virtual team by understanding whether your team and the cultures it represents are high- context or low-context. Members know each other well, understand expectations, and have less need for detail than do those from low-context groups. Members tend to be less familiar with each other and often need explicit and detailed communication. For more information on high- and low-context cultures, we suggest you read Understanding Cultural Differences by Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall. Communication Tip for Virtual Teams HIGH-CONTEXT GROUPS LOW-CONTEXT GROUPS 3

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Page 1: ICD Newsletter - Winter 2006

? International Communicationby Design, Inc.1726 N 1st Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212

phone(414) 265-2171

fax(414) 265-2101

[email protected]

Esprit d'ICD is published three times

per year.

The International Virtual office

A n e w s l e t t e r p u b l i s h e d b y i n t e r n A t i o n A l C o m m u n i C A t i o n b y d e s i g n , i n C .

Corporate mergers and expanding markets have created a new concept of the office. In today’s business world, you may be part of an international virtual office team with co-workers in multiple countries and time zones. This new environment offers benefits, but presents unique challenges. If we are aware of and address the linguistic, cultural, legal, and technological challenges that such teams may encounter, we can benefit from this exciting environment. linguistic factorsAs international virtual office team members, we may not share the same native language. Even when all team members speak English – which is becoming the global language for business – co-workers may not understand linguistic nuances and expressions. As we communicate, we should:

• Keep communication clear, concise, to the point, and on topic.

• Avoid using idioms and colloquialisms.

• Develop and use glossaries.

Cultural factorsDifferent cultures have different expectations for communication. One team member may become annoyed when a co-worker provides extensive background information, while another is confused if insufficient detail is given. In addition, not all

cultures are tolerant of a direct, imperative tone, especially without face-to-face communication. To help address such cultural factors, we can:

• Modulate the tone of electronic communication.

• Meet face to face, if possible. • Listen – especially for silences – and reopen

the lines of communication if a team member stops communicating.

• Show respect for and appreciation of other cultures. • Learn about intercultural communication. legal factorsIn an international virtual office, boundaries between countries blur, and we may forget that different laws govern each team member. For instance, one team member’s country may have strict laws regarding copyrights while another team member’s country may have liberal copyright laws that permit the use of material copyrighted by others. We may also assume that English is acceptable for everyone and not provide translations where legally required. To reduce misunderstanding because of legal factors, we should:

• Communicate clearly any legal expectations.

• Research and respect the laws of other team members’ countries.

• Provide translations as required by in-country regulations.

the international Virtual office

Country profile:Czech republic

european union: Current View

Avian flu precautions

Esprit d'ICD

In This Issue

ICD Travel Tip

Euro-Jargon

Catherine's Column

International Puzzler

ICD on the Road

4

4

2

Features

WInTeR 2006V o l . 5 n o . 1

E-mail your answer to [email protected] first correct entrant will win a $50 amazon.com gift certificate! Good luck!

Volume 4, number 3

InTeRnaTIonal CommUnICaTIon BY DeSIGn, InC.1726 n. 1st streetmilwaukee, wi 53212

Translating Your Company into a Global Success

What are the three most populous African countries?

Training 2006Orlando, FLMarch 6-8

ICD International puzzler

ICD on the Road

lAst issue’s puzzler

Answer

winner

If you want to be added to our mailing list, please e-mail us at [email protected].

When in Ghana take the Canopy walkway in Kakum national park for an overhead view of

the rainforest. this series of seven rope bridges,

suspended 30 meters above the ground, is one of only a few such rope bridges in the world. if you visit the country at the end of march, be prepared with

protective eyewear to experience the total solar

eclipse expected in certain regions of ghana on

march 29, 2006.

Which classical music composition is the basis for “The European Anthem”?

2

3

egypt, nigeria, and ethiopia

xxxxxxx from xxxxx. Congratulations xxxxxxxx!

3

winner Hermann Ulrich of American Hofmann Corporation. Congratulations, Hermann!

you can improve communication within your international virtual team by understanding whether your team and the cultures

it represents are high-context or low-context.

Members know each other well, understand

expectations, and have less need for detail than do those

from low-context groups.

Members tend to be less familiar with each other

and often need explicit and detailed communication.

For more information on high- and low-context

cultures, we suggest you read Understanding Cultural

Differences by Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall.

Communication Tip for Virtual Teams

high-Context groups

low-Context groups

national manufacturing Week show Rosemont, IL March 21-23

3

Page 2: ICD Newsletter - Winter 2006

Technical factorsThe virtual office relies heavily on technology such as high-speed data lines and fast networks. Difficulties arise when the network speed is slower for one team member, who may have to work longer hours to upload or download files. A lack of knowledge about technologies used by the team can also place a team member at a disadvantage. To help overcome technical impediments to productivity, we can:

• Ensure that technology functions at the highest possible level.

• Provide the necessary training to each team member.• Invest in the technology, networks, and technical support

personnel that support an international virtual office.

International virtual offices can function effectively if all team members are aware of the linguistic, cultural, legal, and technical differences that interfere with communication. Awareness of cultural and geographic differences and a willingness to adapt are key to the success of the international virtual office.

Catherine's ColumnToward a Common VocabularyOur worldwide marketplace has introduced numerous terms to the lexicon we use in business. Each of us has probably heard or read the terms “globalization”, “internationalization”, and “localization” used in multiple contexts and with different meanings.

In any technology or business trend, related terms and their definitions can vary and will evolve over time as new requirements emerge. To help our readers reach a common understanding of how these terms apply to our current environment and the work we do, I thought it would be useful to identify definitions that ICD supports. Here are useful definitions for organizations and enterprises operating in the global business arena.

3

CAtherine desChAmps-potter

ViCe-PresiDent sales & Marketing

Suggested International films

2

A Very Long Engagement (2004, French)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet-Tells the story of a young woman,

Mathilde, and her relentless search for her fiancée, who has disappeared from the trenches

of the Somme in northern France during World War I.

Respiro (2002, Italy)

Directed by Emanuele Crialese- Respiro (Italian for “breath”) is

an intimate story about a husband and wife and their children who live in a quiet fishing community. Grazia is a deeply committed wife to her husband, Pietro, and their children, as well as her stray

dogs. While suffering from extreme mood swings that result in serious physical attacks in times of high

anxiety, Grazia refuses to be dominated in Lampedusa, Italy. When Pietro decides to send her to get help,

this prompts Grazia to run away only to survive and be rescued with the help of her son Pasquale.

Master of the Crimson Armor English title: The Promise (2005, China)

Directed by Chen Kaige- Like the Lord of the Rings, this story is not one reflecting true life, but involves

Chinese mysteries. In ancient time, a little girl from a slave family is struggling for life. The movie is a chain

of events that leads the little girl to true love.

avian flu precautionsAs concerns increase over the spread of the Avian influenza, countries from South Asia to Canada are stepping up their efforts to prevent the disease from entering their borders and infecting their populations. The disease—in particular, the type A, H5N1 strain of the virus—is contracted by humans primarily through contact with infected birds.

Since the first cases of human infection by the H5N1 virus were confirmed by the World Health Organization in early 2004, the WHO reports that the number of cases of this serious and potentially fatal flu strain has risen to 149 worldwide. In the majority of cases, the virus has infected those who have regular contact with poultry flocks.

We can help protect ourselves, the WHO notes, by following some basic precautions. Travelers to countries where confirmed cases have been identified should be particularly careful to avoid contact with wild birds or domesticated poultry such as those found in live animal markets and poultry farms. The WHO also recommends cooking poultry and poultry products (including eggs) to a minimum of 70º C and ensuring that all parts of the food are fully cooked.

For more information on this and other global health issues, visit www.who.org or www.cdc.gov.

land area: 77,276 sq km (slightly smaller than South Carolina)

population: 10.2 million (July 2005 est.)

major industries: metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments

source: the Cia World Factbook, the Czech republic tourist authority, the Prague Daily Monitor

1. Germany .....36.1% 2. Slovakia ...... 8.4%3. Austria ....... 6.0%

1. Germany .......31.7%2. Slovakia ........ 5.4%3. Italy ............. 5.3%

Export partners

“Erasmus”Interesting terms used by EU officials

name of an eu-supported education program that began in 1987. thanks to this program, more than

a million young europeans have been able to spend time studying in another eu country. students sometimes speak of taking “an erasmus year”.

eURoJARGON

Import partners

The Czech Republic emerged as an independent country out of the former Czechoslovakia when it separated from its other national component, Slovakia, in January 1993. A member of the European Union since 2004, the country is recognized as “one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe.” Tourism in the Czech Republic – especially to its capital city, Prague, and the country’s large number of castles – is actively promoted, and the tourism industry represents 5.6% of the country’s GDP. The Czech Republic currently uses as its currency the Czech koruna. Indicators are that the country is positioned to join the other nations using the Euro in 2010.

CoUnTRY pRofIle:

globalization – addresses all of the enterprise issues associated with making a company truly global. For the globalization of products and services this involves integrating all of the internal and external business functions with marketing, sales, and customer support in the world market.”

internationalization – is the process of generalizing a product so that it can handle multiple languages and cultural conventions without the need for redesign. Internationalization takes place at the level of program design and document development.”

localization – involves taking a product and making it linguistically and culturally appropriate to the target locale (country/region and language) where it will be used and sold.”

Source: The Localization Industry Standards Association – www.lisa.org

North AtlanticOcean

SPAIN

MOROCCO

FRANCE

GERMANY

AUSTRIA SLOVAKIA

POLAND

ALGERIA

PORTUGAL

Bombay

Lisbon

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague

Vienna

Czech Republic

european Union: Current ViewIn 2004, the EU expanded its borders to include

10 additional members for a total of 25 members.

Belgium Cyprus France Czech Republic Germany Estonia Italy 1952 Hungary Luxembourg Latvia Netherlands Lithuania 2004 United Kingdom Malta Ireland 1973 Poland Denmark Slovakia Greece 1981 Slovenia Spain 1986 Portugal Austria 1995 Sweden Finland

source: eUrOPa

member stAtes / yeAr of entry

entry pending

BulgariaCroatiaRomaniaTurkey

(From page 1)

3 largest

Page 3: ICD Newsletter - Winter 2006

Technical factorsThe virtual office relies heavily on technology such as high-speed data lines and fast networks. Difficulties arise when the network speed is slower for one team member, who may have to work longer hours to upload or download files. A lack of knowledge about technologies used by the team can also place a team member at a disadvantage. To help overcome technical impediments to productivity, we can:

• Ensure that technology functions at the highest possible level.

• Provide the necessary training to each team member.• Invest in the technology, networks, and technical support

personnel that support an international virtual office.

International virtual offices can function effectively if all team members are aware of the linguistic, cultural, legal, and technical differences that interfere with communication. Awareness of cultural and geographic differences and a willingness to adapt are key to the success of the international virtual office.

Catherine's ColumnToward a Common VocabularyOur worldwide marketplace has introduced numerous terms to the lexicon we use in business. Each of us has probably heard or read the terms “globalization”, “internationalization”, and “localization” used in multiple contexts and with different meanings.

In any technology or business trend, related terms and their definitions can vary and will evolve over time as new requirements emerge. To help our readers reach a common understanding of how these terms apply to our current environment and the work we do, I thought it would be useful to identify definitions that ICD supports. Here are useful definitions for organizations and enterprises operating in the global business arena.

3

CAtherine desChAmps-potter

ViCe-PresiDent sales & Marketing

Suggested International films

2

A Very Long Engagement (2004, French)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet-Tells the story of a young woman,

Mathilde, and her relentless search for her fiancée, who has disappeared from the trenches

of the Somme in northern France during World War I.

Respiro (2002, Italy)

Directed by Emanuele Crialese- Respiro (Italian for “breath”) is

an intimate story about a husband and wife and their children who live in a quiet fishing community. Grazia is a deeply committed wife to her husband, Pietro, and their children, as well as her stray

dogs. While suffering from extreme mood swings that result in serious physical attacks in times of high

anxiety, Grazia refuses to be dominated in Lampedusa, Italy. When Pietro decides to send her to get help,

this prompts Grazia to run away only to survive and be rescued with the help of her son Pasquale.

Master of the Crimson Armor English title: The Promise (2005, China)

Directed by Chen Kaige- Like the Lord of the Rings, this story is not one reflecting true life, but involves

Chinese mysteries. In ancient time, a little girl from a slave family is struggling for life. The movie is a chain

of events that leads the little girl to true love.

avian flu precautionsAs concerns increase over the spread of the Avian influenza, countries from South Asia to Canada are stepping up their efforts to prevent the disease from entering their borders and infecting their populations. The disease—in particular, the type A, H5N1 strain of the virus—is contracted by humans primarily through contact with infected birds.

Since the first cases of human infection by the H5N1 virus were confirmed by the World Health Organization in early 2004, the WHO reports that the number of cases of this serious and potentially fatal flu strain has risen to 149 worldwide. In the majority of cases, the virus has infected those who have regular contact with poultry flocks.

We can help protect ourselves, the WHO notes, by following some basic precautions. Travelers to countries where confirmed cases have been identified should be particularly careful to avoid contact with wild birds or domesticated poultry such as those found in live animal markets and poultry farms. The WHO also recommends cooking poultry and poultry products (including eggs) to a minimum of 70º C and ensuring that all parts of the food are fully cooked.

For more information on this and other global health issues, visit www.who.org or www.cdc.gov.

land area: 77,276 sq km (slightly smaller than South Carolina)

population: 10.2 million (July 2005 est.)

major industries: metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments

source: the Cia World Factbook, the Czech republic tourist authority, the Prague Daily Monitor

1. Germany .....36.1% 2. Slovakia ...... 8.4%3. Austria ....... 6.0%

1. Germany .......31.7%2. Slovakia ........ 5.4%3. Italy ............. 5.3%

Export partners

“Erasmus”Interesting terms used by EU officials

name of an eu-supported education program that began in 1987. thanks to this program, more than

a million young europeans have been able to spend time studying in another eu country. students sometimes speak of taking “an erasmus year”.

eURoJARGON

Import partners

The Czech Republic emerged as an independent country out of the former Czechoslovakia when it separated from its other national component, Slovakia, in January 1993. A member of the European Union since 2004, the country is recognized as “one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe.” Tourism in the Czech Republic – especially to its capital city, Prague, and the country’s large number of castles – is actively promoted, and the tourism industry represents 5.6% of the country’s GDP. The Czech Republic currently uses as its currency the Czech koruna. Indicators are that the country is positioned to join the other nations using the Euro in 2010.

CoUnTRY pRofIle:

globalization – addresses all of the enterprise issues associated with making a company truly global. For the globalization of products and services this involves integrating all of the internal and external business functions with marketing, sales, and customer support in the world market.”

internationalization – is the process of generalizing a product so that it can handle multiple languages and cultural conventions without the need for redesign. Internationalization takes place at the level of program design and document development.”

localization – involves taking a product and making it linguistically and culturally appropriate to the target locale (country/region and language) where it will be used and sold.”

Source: The Localization Industry Standards Association – www.lisa.org

North AtlanticOcean

SPAIN

MOROCCO

FRANCE

GERMANY

AUSTRIA SLOVAKIA

POLAND

ALGERIA

PORTUGAL

Bombay

Lisbon

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague

Vienna

Czech Republic

european Union: Current ViewIn 2004, the EU expanded its borders to include

10 additional members for a total of 25 members.

Belgium Cyprus France Czech Republic Germany Estonia Italy 1952 Hungary Luxembourg Latvia Netherlands Lithuania 2004 United Kingdom Malta Ireland 1973 Poland Denmark Slovakia Greece 1981 Slovenia Spain 1986 Portugal Austria 1995 Sweden Finland

source: eUrOPa

member stAtes / yeAr of entry

entry pending

BulgariaCroatiaRomaniaTurkey

(From page 1)

3 largest

Page 4: ICD Newsletter - Winter 2006

? International Communicationby Design, Inc.1726 N 1st Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212

phone(414) 265-2171

fax(414) 265-2101

[email protected]

Esprit d'ICD is published three times

per year.

The International Virtual office

A n e w s l e t t e r p u b l i s h e d b y i n t e r n A t i o n A l C o m m u n i C A t i o n b y d e s i g n , i n C .

Corporate mergers and expanding markets have created a new concept of the office. In today’s business world, you may be part of an international virtual office team with co-workers in multiple countries and time zones. This new environment offers benefits, but presents unique challenges. If we are aware of and address the linguistic, cultural, legal, and technological challenges that such teams may encounter, we can benefit from this exciting environment. linguistic factorsAs international virtual office team members, we may not share the same native language. Even when all team members speak English – which is becoming the global language for business – co-workers may not understand linguistic nuances and expressions. As we communicate, we should:

• Keep communication clear, concise, to the point, and on topic.

• Avoid using idioms and colloquialisms.

• Develop and use glossaries.

Cultural factorsDifferent cultures have different expectations for communication. One team member may become annoyed when a co-worker provides extensive background information, while another is confused if insufficient detail is given. In addition, not all

cultures are tolerant of a direct, imperative tone, especially without face-to-face communication. To help address such cultural factors, we can:

• Modulate the tone of electronic communication.

• Meet face to face, if possible. • Listen – especially for silences – and reopen

the lines of communication if a team member stops communicating.

• Show respect for and appreciation of other cultures. • Learn about intercultural communication. legal factorsIn an international virtual office, boundaries between countries blur, and we may forget that different laws govern each team member. For instance, one team member’s country may have strict laws regarding copyrights while another team member’s country may have liberal copyright laws that permit the use of material copyrighted by others. We may also assume that English is acceptable for everyone and not provide translations where legally required. To reduce misunderstanding because of legal factors, we should:

• Communicate clearly any legal expectations.

• Research and respect the laws of other team members’ countries.

• Provide translations as required by in-country regulations.

the international Virtual office

Country profile:Czech republic

european union: Current View

Avian flu precautions

Esprit d'ICD

In This Issue

ICD Travel Tip

Euro-Jargon

Catherine's Column

International Puzzler

ICD on the Road

4

4

2

Features

WInTeR 2006V o l . 5 n o . 1

E-mail your answer to [email protected] first correct entrant will win a $50 amazon.com gift certificate! Good luck!

Volume 4, number 3

InTeRnaTIonal CommUnICaTIon BY DeSIGn, InC.1726 n. 1st streetmilwaukee, wi 53212

Translating Your Company into a Global Success

What are the three most populous African countries?

Training 2006Orlando, FLMarch 6-8

ICD International puzzler

ICD on the Road

lAst issue’s puzzler

Answer

winner

If you want to be added to our mailing list, please e-mail us at [email protected].

When in Ghana take the Canopy walkway in Kakum national park for an overhead view of

the rainforest. this series of seven rope bridges,

suspended 30 meters above the ground, is one of only a few such rope bridges in the world. if you visit the country at the end of march, be prepared with

protective eyewear to experience the total solar

eclipse expected in certain regions of ghana on

march 29, 2006.

Which classical music composition is the basis for “The European Anthem”?

2

3

egypt, nigeria, and ethiopia

xxxxxxx from xxxxx. Congratulations xxxxxxxx!

3

winner Hermann Ulrich of American Hofmann Corporation. Congratulations, Hermann!

you can improve communication within your international virtual team by understanding whether your team and the cultures

it represents are high-context or low-context.

Members know each other well, understand

expectations, and have less need for detail than do those

from low-context groups.

Members tend to be less familiar with each other

and often need explicit and detailed communication.

For more information on high- and low-context

cultures, we suggest you read Understanding Cultural

Differences by Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall.

Communication Tip for Virtual Teams

high-Context groups

low-Context groups

national manufacturing Week show Rosemont, IL March 21-23

3