In today's global workplace, employees from diverse cultures are being thrust together to perform as partners and teammates. Organizations are quickly learning that time and money are at stake without properly clarifying and facilitating cross-cultural perspectives.

Effective training designed to close potential communication gaps requires both preparation and and orientation to a facilitative process. This includes an understanding of culture specific relationships.

For instance, to what extent is disclosure of feelings encouraged?

Or how does hierarchy limit the ability of the parties to make decisions?

Other standard cultural variables to consider include: views of competition and cooperation, dimensions for problem solving, views of time, variations in non-verbal communication, impact of larger social structures (religious and legal), the role of third parties, and use of physical space.