Communication and the Global Business Environment.

  introduction                                   

            The global business environment is the environment across the borders of a country; the environment has independent factors different from the home environment of a business organization that influences the decision making on resource use and capabilities. The external environment includes political environment, social and economic environments, regulatory, tax legal, technological and cultural environments.

            Cultural and communication barriers have proven to be serious challenges when it comes to global business. Language barrier is an obvious downside to doing business internationally. Most business people rely on translators when speaking to business contacts, and in the process, the intricacies of what the contacts say may be lost in translation.

Business communication issues

                                                            Distance.

            For a business organization doing business in another country, it is important for the organization to find ways of keeping communication channels with its global workforce. Due to different time zones, it sometimes becomes difficult to hold regular meeting with all the employees. Also, different countries have different languages and business norms, this cross- cultural differences may make it difficult for a company doing global business to make clear management decisions, often leading to its downfall.

                                                            Technology.

            Use of communication technology like social media, use of emails and mobile forms have made it easier for people to communicate globally. However, the same technology can be a communication challenge when it comes to global business. Changes in technology have not been embraced by all countries especially the third world countries, thus due to technical glitches, time zones, and telephone static can create challenges to effective communication.

                                                            Unskilled labor.

            Some countries have a large number of untrained workforce, i.e. the third world countries. The global companies doing business in these countries have a problem relying on the traditional forms of communication. Due to illiteracy and language barriers may prove to be a challenge to the management.

                                                            Cultural diversity.

            Different people in different countries have a unique way in which they view the world. People are divided into different ages, gender, ethnicity, religion, and other cultural factors that form the different points of view. However, the cultural diversity can be a challenge to communication when it comes to global business, for a company doing business globally, there is a risk of misinterpretation of the messages sent to the employees.

Solutions to global communication barriers.

            Presidents of global business organizations are faced with the problem of solving the communication challenges that are proving to be obstacles to the business development. The most common solution is building of virtual teams. Virtual teams are composed for a short period to tackle specific challenges in a given location by engaging the geographically dispersed employees. Virtual teams help companies to develop global leaders, keeping the remote employees engaged, and monitoring and evaluating global employees. Hence solving the challenges posed by communication barriers.

Conclusion.

            The effects of global communication barriers pose a huge threat to the many companies operating businesses worldwide. Remote employees face serious challenges in reporting to their supervisors, in case of language barrier or lack of proper communication tools. Companies there have the responsibility of eliminating these barriers to create a conducive global business environment.

For those businesses operating in the third world countries with little access to technology, should build virtual teams. The teams will help in monitoring the remote employees and try to eliminate the language barrier. Global companies should also invest in communication technology tools for easy communication with the employees.