Working in a multi-cultural environment

In an era of new technology, our potential to connect with people across the globe has increased. An individual or even an organization are not confined to a single location/territory now a days. With the internet and related technologies, national boundaries has become non relevant. With a view to expand the firm beyond borders, enterprises are boarding staffs around the globe, so that distinct needs of customers in each locality can well be known through the employees hailing from those respective locations. But while doing so, cultures of different employees interact with each other. Here comes the adaptability of a person to get familiarize with and to get indulged with different cultures without any element of misunderstandings or conflict.

For example, an Indian Hindu employee working in a US MNC may feel awkward if he/she happens to see other nationalities consuming foods which constitutes beef. So, a clash of cultures are happening here. So he/she must be in such a state that they should respect each and every culture. They should also understand that they don't have the right to force others to come to their culture.

The following processes can be implemented while managing multi-cultural teams. 

1. Give each and everyone equal priority while taking decisions

2. Providing each groups an opportunity to demonstrate their culture through some activities ( During Company day)

3. Identifying the common interests of the work groups and then bringing out some channels to have the cooperation and harmony of the entire work group. ( football matches)

4. Developing an interest to know new languages so that interaction will become more smooth.

5. Creating an environment in such a way that 1 day is designated for each nationalities in a way that even wishing and gestures will be done by all the employees according to that nation's culture.

These are the ways through which we can promote a multicultural environment in a firm.