e and considered to be low-context and monochronic), new to Italy, was determined not to fall into the polychronic attitude and extremely high context, but instead, he soon realized he was missing the point about what was really being conveyed to him. He always arrived on time and the Italians didn't; He was always trying to work after normal work schedule and Italians weren't; He's always trying to talk about work during lunch and dinner and Italians don't; He was always using very detailed PowerPoint presentations and the Italians weren't. John asked for advise to his mentor in the United States at DSI International, Nancy Adler.
Attitudes toward time and presentation styles can have a powerful effect on cross-cultural communication. These attitudes vary greatly around the world. An international manager has to face several issues related to communicating in another country -- what should he or she be aware of in terms of communication style, trying to decipher non-verbal behaviors, or figuring out the work style of their foreign counterparts? An American expatriate, John Olsen (U.S. culture and considered to be low-context and monochronic), new to Italy, was determined not to fall into the polychronic attitude and extremely high context, but instead, he soon realized he was missing the point about what was really being conveyed to him. He always arrived on time and the Italians didn't; He was always trying to work after normal work schedule and Italians weren't; He's always trying to talk about work during lunch and dinner and Italians don't; He was always using very detailed PowerPoint presentations and the Italians weren't. John asked for advise to his mentor in the United States at DSI International, Nancy Adler.
You are a cross-cultural consultant for DSI International. After Nancy received this call for help from John in Italy, she decided that an outside specialist was required to resolve the cross-cultural difficulties that are apparent in this communication.
Please evaluate the case in terms of your knowledge of the main ideas stemming from both the lectures and articles on the “Silent Language of Overseas Business”, “Cross-Cultural Communication for Managers”, and “Being the Boss in Brussels, Boston and Beijing”.
What advice can you give John based on this information? Please keep in mind that the Italians are a high context, polychronic culture. The U.S. culture is considered to be low-context and monochronic.
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