Homework #2 Communications technologies and team communications

Every company faces with challenges on the road to success and managers should fix these problems. The problem of moving to a “virtual teams” can be solved by, first of all, explaining the reasons of such decision. Sarah Smith should clarify why the company moved to a “virtual teams” and show what goals can be achieved by this decision. Also, she should underline certain benefits for employees, such as spending less time on trips and having more free time for themselves. So one of the reasons of moving to a “virtual teams” is that the company spent too much money on trips and now it can save money for the further development of a company, which can also benefit employees. Secondly, she should inspire them that they are still a good team and they will talk as often as it is possible. Then, they all should register to one site like L&D blog or Skype, which allows making videoconferences for several users at the same time. In addition, such programs involve the opportunity to share different documents, so that they could work effectively. Finally, at this videoconferencing they should make some storming about what time is good for making videoconferences as there is a difference in time zone, what they are going to do in the future and other questions and come to norming, agreement and make performing. These meetings will help them to solve all their problems and feel themselves as a team again.

Student’s name: Tokanova Botakoz

Student’s ID: 20112331

Homework #3 Diversity and Inter-cultural Communications

1. What are some of the potential cultural challenges and problems you see with the visit?

The main cultural challenges and problems with the visit is that all people differ from each other in nationality, race, gender, age, religion, etc. All of them have different understanding of the world, different culture and ethics and each of them needs in personal approach. Jokes for one can be funny and for another can be hurting. Therefore, manager of KazGlobal should think very well on how to speak with them and what to say so that everyone would understand him. He should learn about diversity, should know who is going to be in the meeting and learn what the best way to communicate with certain people is.

2. In what ways might Kazakh business culture surprise or upset some of your visitors?

Kazakh business culture mostly will surprise visitors, because Kazakh people are very hospitable and welcoming. They love meeting guests and will be happy to help foreigners and therefore the atmosphere should be peaceful. Unfortunately, Kazakh people got used to being late. That can upset visitors, but I think that it is very big meeting, so the conferences and meetings would be started in time.

3. What general advice will you give to KazGlobal staff when meeting and assisting the overseas visitors?

First of all, they must know each of them and know their country and culture. They should learn how their names are pronounced, because it is not pleasant and depreciatingly to pronounce it in a wrong way. Especially, the manager of KazGlobal should prepare more as his “knowledge is about nil” concerning them. They should know how to communicate with them, what they like and don’t, maybe they also need to know what kitchen they prefer. The manager also should explain that there should be no ethnocentrism, prejudice or stereotyping as it is not right generally. We should all live in a peace and respect each other.

4. What would be appropriate and inappropriate social events for the visitors to participate in on the weekends taking into consideration their diversity?

The manager can organize a concert for them, showing Kazakh national closes, dances, songs. It would be interesting for guests to learn about Kazakh culture. They can visit a restaurant which has many kitchens, including national one, as foreigners are interested in local foods and if they don’t like it they can immediately order another one from another kitchen. The manager also should prepare a good presentation about his achievements, because that is the main reason why foreigners came here. I think he can also show them some main places of the city, but not all of them, because there are too many people for that and it would be just uncomfortable.

Student’s name: Tokanova Botakoz

Student’s ID: 20112331