Working with Americans

9:

send me a memo

INTRODUCTION

Before we consider how to communicate it’s important to examine our goal when communicating. Our first thought is that we want to ensure that our message gets through, that the recipient understands the meaning spoken or written. However, in his book Understanding Cultural Differences, Edward T. Hall is perhaps more accurate when he proposes that effective communication “has more to do with releasing the right responses than sending the ‘right’ messages”.¹

In a business context the “right response” can range from something as simple as an agreement to set an appointment or as complex as entering into a strategic alliance. To obtain the response you want, you need to understand how people best receive information ...