Importance of Intercultural Skills

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The Importance of Intercultural Skills November 12, 2012 The Importance of Intercultural Skills A family owned organization that has been around for decades is convinced that the way they do business is the only way. A new organization arises in the same market, has a more diverse staff than that of the other business, and contains multiple cultures. The “new” business creates newer products, while the “old” one continues to revamp the same products. The difference between these companies is intercultural skills and diversity. Organizations must be willing and open to other cultures and ideas so it can flourish for decades to come. In order for a business to be successful in today’s society, it is crucial that the organization build and maintain strong intercultural skills from within, as well as with other organizations. While there are many obvious reasons why it is important to develop and understand intercultural skills in a business environment, there are a few that hold precedence over the others. The first key reason is that an organization is more likely to be successful when there is a wider variety of knowledge. In the past, businesses were limited in ideas and information but as time has passed and the business world has become more accepting of diversity, a new world has emerged with improved ideas. Intercultural skills are important in order to bridge the gap between differences and in turn, produce advantages. When two or more individuals or businesses from different cultures begin the process of working together, a great way to begin is to make an effort to learn different ways of thinking, cultural values, and preferences. While this may be difficult for some, it is well worth the effort because it creates a bond of trust between those involved and provides a stronger partnership. It will always be more pleasant working with
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