Cross-culture is the interaction and exchange of behaviour by people from different cultural backgrounds. In business, cross-culture means people from one organization interacting with other professionals of different cultural origins, e.g. Australian accountants interacting with Chinese accountants. This culture helps build unity in the broader business community. There are several platforms where cross-culture takes place. Cross-culture comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
Understanding Cross-Culture
Today, the globalization of businesses has been made effective by the presence of cross-culture. Employees take a lot from the cross-culture platforms. They blend with other professionals and learn essential aspects that can help their companies. Cross-culture significantly recognizes the diversity of business people. The individuals are of different ethnicities and backgrounds. Cross-culture helps bridge the gap between them.
Companies practising cross-culture have a lot of benefits to reap. One of the advantages is having an increased market for all their products. They make connections with other renowned international businesses. Businesses learn something from others, thus improving their quality.
Employees are direct beneficiaries of cross-culture. Socializing with other professionals from different cultures makes employees conversant with the happenings in other fields. This places employees in a better position since they can adapt quickly to any organization.
Platforms to Practise Cross-Culture
Cross-culture can take place when there are conferences that include members of different organizations. Also, during training programs, professionals of diverse backgrounds will interact.
Cons of Cross-Culture
With all its goodies, cross-culture has a few disadvantages. The difference in business cultures makes it difficult for people to get along smoothly. For example, in some regions, physical contact is allowed while in others, it is regarded as disrespectful. Another culture that may differ is the interaction between employees and the managers. In some, there is casual cooperation between the two whereas in others the manager rules over the employees. This difference in cultures may give employees a hard time coping, especially when they are new.