Scenario:

The company you are working for in Australia would like to form a relationship with a business in another country. As you are a student of business communication and have studied with students of different nationalities, the managers have identified you as appropriate people to write a report to people working in another country.

Below is the email you received from the manager of the International Business Practice Group at your company.

As you're aware, ABCD is planning to establish a long-term, strategic, business relationship with an organisation in (choose your country).

Given your studies in Business Communication and your expertise in intercultural communication, you have been commissioned to prepare a set of guidelines that XYZ employees can use to communicate effectively with people from (your chosen country) in a workplace context focussing on cultural differences.

Your report will help us design an International Business Education Program for training staff in intercultural communication.

The first team is departing on 15 June. They will need a brief oral report before they leave. Please arrange a suitable presentation time with your supervisor.

I'm looking forward to receiving your valuable input on this project and to working closely with you in the next few weeks.

As a new employee, this is a chance for you to prove your worth to your company. Use this opportunity to show what you know about intercultural communication and effective workplace communication practices.

Outcomes

Your group of 3 to 4 people is required to write a report in response to this email.

Your report, written in plain English, should be a formal document which outlines the issues for the team going overseas. Describe the general challenges of intercultural communication and explain the ways that the report will help the individuals. It should give them some of the key information they should know to enable them to operate in the different cultural environment.

This may include both specific information about the culture and general information about working with people from other cultures. The format of your report should include:

• cover letter (letter of transmittal)
• cover page
• table of contents
• executive summary
• introduction
• discussion
• summary and conclusions
• recommendations

Marks will be awarded for the comprehensiveness of your research, your awareness of the contemporary business environment, and report format and structure.