BUS COMM DISCUSSION

 PLEAR READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

Discussion Question: Since English is becoming the world’s business language and since the United States is arguably the dominant military power and trading force, why should Americans bother to learn about other cultures?

Instructions:

1.Answers to discussion questions should be no less than 200 or more than 300 words.

2.In addition to material from the textbook, students should seek additional scholarly sources of information to enhance their discussion question response. A minimum of two (2) outside sources of information must be used. The textbook may not be considered an outside source of information. Please see Section VII of the Syllabus, Obtaining Information, for directions on use of outside sources.

3.All quotations and paraphrases used must be properly cited, including information from the textbook. The student should also include a list of references for the citations used.

4.The format for citations and references must conform to the format specified in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Six Edition (commonly referred to as the APA).

5.In addition to posting their answer to the discussion question, students are required to reply to at least two (2) other student’s responses. Responses to other student’s posts are expected to be well-thought-out adding their own insights to the topic under discussion. Post responses must be least 50 words in length. Students are not required to cite outside sources in their replies to other student’s posts.

6.Students will be graded based on their response to the question and their two responses to other student’s discussion questions.

7.Format for responding to Discussion Questions:

When responding to a discussion question, always begin by listing the discussion question number and whether you are posting a response or replying to a post.For example:

“Question 1 – Post:The key components of the communication process are…..”

OR

“Question 1 – Reply:I agree with Jane’s post listing the key components of the communications process. However, I would like to also point out…..”

ANSWER TO DISCUSSION QUESTION NEEDED:

Post 1 from; TOM

Americans should learn about other cultures for many reasons. Right now, 11 percent of the U.S. population is foreign-born, and the percentage is rising (Current Population, 2010). In order to embrace the fast paced globalization that is occurring, we need to give foreigners the same respect that we expect from them. Being familiar with different cultures/ethics is a sign of respect. “Ethics begins when one learns to feel another from within” (Morson, 2011). Another reason; technology is at the core of this wave of globalization. Unlike the not so distant past of not owning a 

computer

 (they didn’t exist when I was growing up), the majority of homes today have one. We can sit at our desk in our homes (or wherever there is Wi-Fi) and conduct business, communicate, purchase product, etc. from all over the world. “Corporate survival and prosperity increasingly depend on our ability to interact with and manage people of different cultures, locally, regionally, nationally, and globally” (Rosen & Phillips, 2000, p. 201). Also, diversity equals strength. Our textbook points out that “Most of us are basically unaware of our culture because we are so close to it and know it so well; it is as if our learned behavior was biologically inherited. It is usually only when we come into contact with people from other cultures that we become aware that our patterns of behavior are not universal” (Tofanelli, 2012, p. 187). Imagine becoming aware of the dynamics in your own culture as well as those of others. The U.S. is a society of different cultures and there is an advantage in both the marketplace and the workplace when these differences are embraced. 

Works cited

Current Population Reports (2010). Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Library 

Rosen, R.H., & Phillips, C. (2000). Lessons on Business Leadership and National Cultures.New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. 

Morson, G. S. (2011). The Worlds of Others. Journal of Russian and East European 

Psychology

, 49, 2, 6-15.  

Tofanelli, Dave (2012). Communicating Across Cultures. Communication in Organizations (p. 187). Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.

MY RESPONSE NEED:

POST 2 FROM BEN:

Over the past 100 years, America has become the most powerful country in terms of both military and business. English has become the unofficial language of business, and because of this there is a feeling in some communities that our American culture is the only one to be embraced while disregarding others. This simple approach is, however, inherently flawed. While it may be true that America is powerful, the marketplace has become a global environment; a business needs a diverse approach to meet the demands of this market. “Multiple voices lead to new ideas, new services, and new products, and encourage out-of-the-box thinking” (Egan, 2011, p. 19). Successful companies understand that a broad approach to cultural diversity is not only important to the local community in services, but to the global community in which it exists, and they put these ideas in official statements for everyone to see. Nordstrom has a Diversity Mission Statement: “At Nordstrom, we value the richness that diversity brings to our workforce- it makes our company better and the communities we serve stronger” (“Diversity @ Nordstrom”, 2012, para. 1). Nordstrom has decided that “the American way” is not the only approach to business, realizing that accepting and appreciating various cultures strengthens their business and contributes to their successes. References References Diversity @ Nordstrom. (2012). Nordstrom: Free Shipping. Free Returns. All the Time. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/diversity-at-nordstrom?origin=leftnav Egan, M. E. (2011, July). Global Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering Innovation Through a Diverse Workforce. ForbesMedia.com | Forbes Media Kit. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from

http://www.forbesmedia.com/files/Innovation_Through_Diversity

MY RESPONSE NEED: