Networking in the Intercultural Space
Jul 25, 2024
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4 April 2022
By Melinda Ngo (KOWIN Intern)
Living in such a multicultural nation, it is becoming increasingly more important than ever to be aware of the cultural differences in our society. These cultural differences are often present in our everyday lives such as through communication styles and mannerisms to
But what about in the world of business and networking?Networking and cultural intelligence have more in common than you may think. Within the professional world, networking continues to be an integral part of the process.
Why is networking important?Networking is one of the most powerful tools in professional development. It allows people to access opportunities in which they may have not been able to find on their own. The power of a network has the potential to provide you with valuable insights into your career as well as beyond that.
Benefits of networking:
Provides new ideas and perspectives
Gain business opportunities
Building self-confidence
Build a stronger support network
The ability to network is an important skill for any professional, but with the varying business etiquette of each culture, this is made more difficult for some. There are cases when cultural challenges can be so prominent that it leads to people avoiding networking opportunities– despite how beneficial they could be for their personal and professional development. This is where the importance of cultural intelligence comes to play.
Cultural IntelligenceCultural Intelligence refers to the skill to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. It relates to how people react in culturally diverse situations and how to deal with diverse individuals in a positive manner.
Why is cultural intelligence important?
Mutual understanding and effective communication
New opportunities, ideas and perspectives
Professional development
As we are working and living in a multicultural community, acquiring a different set of perspectives, knowledge and skills is important in order to succeed. It is now more vital than ever to be prepared to communicate and work with people from different backgrounds. Gaining knowledge about other cultures and backgrounds is not just an option anymore, it is now necessary to learn, understand and deal with different situations competently in order to develop ourselves.
Tips for Intercultural NetworkingWith Australia being a multicultural nation, here a few general tips to help with networking with those of different cultures.
Research: Try to learn and understand about the background of the people who will be attending. What are their communication styles? What are some of their values? What is and isn't socially acceptable? Is there any certain business etiquette you should know about? Another tip is to observe those around you. By observing, you may be able to find out what is the norm during these networking events. Even just doing a bit of research will help you to embrace the cultural differences and make you feel more prepared. However, it is also important to not stereotype people based on their cultures and be respectful.
Understand: It is important to be aware and understanding of the people around you. Try and understand the different cultural practices and why certain things are done. For example, why "small talk" such an important part of networking?
Practice: Networking gets much easier with time and practice. After some practice, the process of networking will become more natural while your cultural intelligence is further developed.
Final ThoughtsNetworking is more than showing up to events or occasionally saying hello to another professional. It also requires effort and engagement, so it's important to understand why you want to network in the first place. Although networking can provide many new opportunities to connect with new individuals, it can also result in numerous superficial connections. Therefore, it is important to not think of networking as a transactional activity but as a means of building connections with people who can provide mutually beneficial genuine relationships– and in this way you can make the most efficient use of your time.In conclusion, developing and maintaining intercultural networks is essential in our globalised society. As globalisation is progressing much faster than we think, new opportunities are continuously emerging therefore it is essential we develop our cultural intelligence and global mindset and see this as our advantage.
References:
http://www.projectabroad.eu/3-tips-for-cross-cultural-networking/
http://www.southkorea.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/the-guide/south-korean-culture/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/crossing-barriers-cultural-intelligence-business-networking-musat/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/networking-across-different-cultures-tine-stenberg/
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