Business Communication: Etiquettes and Potential Miscommunication in India and Australia

Running head: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Business communication
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Introduction
Cultural factors are one of the important factors to be considered in the current business
scenario. This is due to the reason that globalization in the recent time opened the opportunities
of business across different regions. Thus, in doing business in different regions simultaneously,
cultural differences should be considered (Nahata, Hazarika & Tandon, 2014). In doing so, it is
important for the business organizations to have the fair idea and understanding about the
differences of cultures of their home and host countries and design the business approaches
accordingly. However, there are some evident major areas of cultural miscommunication present
in the current approach of international business. In the given scenario, the probable
miscommunication can get emerged due to the cultural differences between India and Australia.
In this essay, the business etiquettes that should followed in the Indian scenario by Mary
to communicate with Mr. Shamra will be discussed. In addition, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
will be used to identify the potential areas of emergence of cultural miscommunication. This
essay will also recommend a few steps to overcome the identified areas of miscommunication.
Business etiquettes in India
The basic etiquette that should be considered in meeting with an Indian person is
welcoming or greeting them. According to the Indian style of etiquette, handshake is commonly
used. However, it is also important for Mary to have the clear understanding that Indian people
are not acceptable towards more physical or intimacy during welcoming (Yu-xian, 2013). Thus,
Mary should refrain from hugging Mr. Sharma or patting him other than just shaking hand. This
may create negative impression about her. The next thing that should be given importance is
asking about families. This is due to the fact that Indian prefers building personal trust and

2BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
rapport from the initial stage. In addition, it is expected in the Indian business cultural scenario
that family affairs will be asked. Thus, Mary should also ask Mr. Sharma about his family. This
will help her to create a positive and personal bond with Mr. Sharma that will help Mary in
following business related activities (Tanaka & Kleiner, 2015). Now the second etiquette that
should also be considered is dress. This is also important due to the reason that India is having
diverse culture and traditions are given more importance. Thus, it is recommended that Mary
should meet Mr. Sharma is covered up dress with having sober color.
The next important etiquette is language. In the Indian context, this is much important
because India is having large number of languages. However, English is widely used in the
business meeting and transactions (Shaw, 2015). So it is recommended that Mary should stick to
her mother tongue in communicating with Mr. Sharma. However, it should be noted that the
meanings of the same English word may be different in Indian and Australian context. Indian
business culture is also having more preferences for indirect questions over direct ones. In some
cases, direct questions may be taken as offensive. Thus May should refrain from asking direct
questions or rejecting some proposal directly. This will create negative impression. Mary should
also be aware about the importance of relationship in business transactions in India (Mahendra,
2013). This is due to the reason that Indians give importance or in some cases, more importance
to the personal relationship and trust in taking business decisions over data and facts. Thus, it is
of utmost importance for Mary to build trust and relationship with Mr. Sharma rather just
focusing on business deals and profits.
The last factor in the Indian business etiquette that should also be given importance is
social value and preferences. As discussed earlier, India is culturally and socially diverse country
with having larger variations in social and cultural backgrounds. Thus, Mary should be aware