Length:500 words minimum, or two pages (more or less) with headings

Format:Single Spaced, block paragraph, appropriate header, created in a word or PDF

The document

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INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION ASSIGNMENT: ARTICLE & EMAIL MEMO

LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSED:

1. Compose workplace documents including emails, letters, and a research report

2. Analyze an audience and tailor a message to that audience

3. Apply principles of grammar, punctuation, and editing appropriate to professional writing

4. Prepare documents according to basic principles of formatting and visual communication in

various written documents

5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in reading, writing, and discussion

6. Explain cultural differences and the impact these differences have on effective professional communication

THE SCENARIO

Project Management Solutions is going international! Yes!Business has been so great that our corporation is merging and expanding with other project management firms around the globe to help others with their project management needs!

However, before we can close these deals, you and select group of your colleaguesboth subordinates and managerswill have to travel to these countries to meet with local business representatives and investors.

So what's the problem?

Well, as explained in the excellent article "Conversational Ballgames" (part of this week's required readings) international communication can be tricky! You don't want to offend any of your potential business partners, and you certainly don't want any of your colleagues doing the same. Too much is at stake! In short, you need to make a good impression and at the very least show some tact and awarenessregarding intercultural communication.

So what's the solution?

You need to do some research about the foreign country you are visiting (more on this in a bit) and write a DIRECT MEMO EMAILto your Canadian colleagues explaining some important cultural differences/customs between yourselves and your foreign business partners to make sure all are prepared for this business trip and ready to make a good impression. Please read below for the specific expectations of this assignment.

BUT WHAT COUNTRY ARE WE GOING TO?

That's a good question! Where ARE we going. Here's the answer: I encourage you to pick one of the following suggested countries (or countries within these continents): China, Japan, Colombia, India, Africa, or Saudi Arabia.

Note: Nigeria as a country is fine

You are not allowedto pick the U.S., Australia, or Great Britainplaces where business etiquette is too similar to Canada.

If you wish to pick a country outside of the suggested ones (ie: some other European country), be sure to run it by me first and/or make sure you have SIGNIFICANT differencesto write about. By the way, international students are invited (but not required) to write about their own country of origin. Let us know about your customs and communication habits!

Remember, your business is BASED in Canada and is doing international business with the wider world. So pick a country whose communication habits you wish to know more about.

RESOURCES:

To find out more about cultural and communication conventions for the country of your choice, please consult the following two EXCELLENT sources:

1) International Business Etiquette, Manners, and Culture (http://www.cyborlink.com).

2) COMMISCEO GLOBAL (https://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides)

Use information from these sources if you need to, but DO NOTsimply copy-paste content from these sources into your memo.

THE TASK:

Write a DIRECT EMAIL MEMO to your Canadian colleagues preparing them for your international business trip. This email memo will have TWO purposes: to prepare and explain to your colleagues any Canadian behaviourthat might be misinterpreted by your foreign business partners, and to prepare and explain behaviour by your foreign business partnersthat might be misinterpreted by Canadian audiences: in short, let all parties know what to expect. For each type of behavior mentioned, suggest strategies to make communication more effective. Offer clear suggestions instead of discussing overly general aspects in general terms. Oh, and word it a little better than a big "do and do not" list which is too informal!

Structure the memo via the classic intro, body and conclusion format; however, the organization of the email memo body is up to you. You may use smaller paragraphs with subheadings, bulleted lists or both. Just make sure it's easy to read and avoid ONE giant bullet list for the body as that is overwhelming and looks terrible.

Some suggested topics for the body of your memo are as follows: salutations, body language, tone, appropriate topics of conversation, meals, common expressions, or hierarchical/gender issues if applicableof course refer to this week's power point and reading for more suggestions! Try to avoid trivial, superficial, or off-topic content where you can. However, as long as your content relates to business meetings and to applicable gatherings and occasions, it's fine.

The specifics I am looking for regarding the rubric categories are as follows:

CONTENT:Your memo provides enough content to prove how invested you are in the company's future success. Your memo sufficiently discusses applicable and meaningful differencesregarding communication and customs between Canada and your selected foreign country. Superficial, illogical, or irrelevant details will drastically lower your grade as will not meeting the word count.

[low word counts will result in a CROSS-CATEGORY PENALTY]

ORGANIZATION:Your email memo uses the direct pattern, block format, and a proper header with all necessary information in the four fields (To, from, date, subject---make up a group email nameno need to list a bunch separate email addresses from numerous fake colleagues). Your email memo has separate paragraphs and uses graphical highlights logically and tastefully. Rememberone LONG bullet list is overwhelming and no good, so break up your topics with subheadings or just use shorter paragraphs and headings.

STYLE:Your memo uses positive and objective phrasing in discussing intercultural communication issues. Your memo describes differences objectively and avoids any comments that might be perceived as offensive. Your memo avoids negative phrasing such as "communication breakdown," or "barriers" (instead use descriptive terms such as "differences"). Your memo is written to provide suggestions for better communication in the future rather than expressing criticism, worry, or blame.

In short, make sure you are not perceived as an alarmist or an obnoxious know-it-all. Instead, your phrasing should create an image of you as a friendly, positive, and engaged professional who genuinely cares about everyone's success.

Please know that style also includes consideration regarding how concise and clear your writing is too (as opposed including verbose expressions, jargon, or ungrammatical constructions).

MECHANICS: Your memo should be free of major and minor spelling and grammar errors. Sentence structure should be grammatical and not broken or fractured. Proofread, proofread, proofread (in that order).