Chapter 01 Aplia Assignment

A “You are right. You work with a really difficult group from so many foreign countries. I don’t know how you guys get along. Just hang in there and hope for the best.”

B “There is a diversity training session being held in the conference room on Friday that I am requiring you to attend. In the meantime, understand that this is our culture, so if you don’t get along with people, you will be fired.”

C “There is a diversity training session being held in the conference room on Friday that I would encourage you to attend. In the meantime, try to focus on the similarities of your coworkers and stay away from making assumptions. Make sure you are clear on how you fit into your workgroup as well.”

Question #7

Read the following scenarios, and choose the best answer for the following questions.

At a team meeting, your manager addresses some of the discord between your team members and suggests that your team should work individually instead of as a group. She asks if anyone has an opinion on the subject. You know that there are often tough times when working in a group, but in the end your team always produces great results.

What could you say to convince your manager to keep your team working together?

A You don’t wish to work alone because you would have to stay at work longer.

B If she would just eliminate all of the males in the group, everyone would work better together.

C Diverse teams made up of people with different experiences are better able to create competitive advantages in the marketplace.

Question #8

As diversity grows in both society and the workplace, interacting and communicating with your coworkers will present specific challenges and rewards. It is important to be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of your coworkers and to understand how to navigate an increasingly diverse workplace.

Which of the following are appropriate strategies for communication in diverse workplaces?

A Make fewer assumptions, Learn about your cultural self, Build on similarities, Develop healthy bias

B Make fewer assumptions, Learn about your cultural self, Build on similarities, Seek training

C Work with others like you, Learn about your cultural self, Build on similarities, Seek training

D Make fewer assumptions, Use stereotypes to understand others, Build on similarities, Seek training

Question #9

Writing or speaking in an intercultural business world can be challenging. However, many techniques exist for improving your communication skills.

Dina has written a letter to a potential customer in Denmark.

Thank you for giving my team the opportunity to present our proposal for the opening of eleven new stores in Copenhagen; we’d like to meet again to discuss the details further.
How would you improve this sentence so it is clearer?

A Write out the contraction, Include more ambiguity, Cite numbers using figures instead of spelling them out.

B Write out the contraction, Make the sentence shorter, Cite numbers using figures instead of spelling them out.

C Do not capitalize names of cities, Make the sentence shorter, Cite numbers using figures instead of spelling them out.

D Write out the contraction, Make the sentence shorter, Add a comma after the first two words of the sentence

Question #10

Although most international business is conducted in English, levels of comprehension can vary. How can you enhance your oral communication skills in international environments?

A Assume comprehension, Accept blame, Smile when appropriate, Follow up in writing.

B Encourage accurate feedback, Accept blame, Teach English phrases, Follow up in writing.

C Encourage accurate feedback, Discourage feedback, Smile when appropriate, Follow up in writing.

D Encourage accurate feedback, Accept blame, Smile when appropriate, Follow up in writing.

Question #11

What is the best way to develop tolerance?

A Socialize with different people

B Study discrimination

C Practice empathy

Question #12

When applied to individuals in professional settings, stereotypes:

A Illuminate differences in professional expectations

B Help the sender understand the receiver

C Cause misunderstandings and misconceptions

Question #13

Two barriers prevent people from successfully understanding and accepting people from other cultures: ethnocentrism and stereotypes. Choose the best answer for each of the following. Fortunately, these barriers may be overcome by developing tolerance. If you have an ethnocentric view of the world, you hold which expectation?

A You expect the rest of the world to follow your customs and share your values.

B You expect to attend diversity workshops to broaden your horizons.

C You expect that people from other cultures will think and act differently than you do.

Question #14

In North America, keeping people waiting for a business appointment is considered rude.

A Time orientation

B Context

C Communication style

D Individualism

Question #15

Globalization has changed the nature of work. To communicate effectively in a global marketplace, you must understand the basic dimensions of culture: individualism, formality, communication style, and time orientation. The following examples describe a dimension of culture. Identify which dimension is described in each case. South Americans sometimes speak with extravagant or poetic language.

A Power distance

B Individualism

C Communication style

D Time orientation

Question #16

Mr. Youngher arrives at his interview for a community relations internship with Bethlehem Electric in Chicago five minutes late and in a rumpled suit. When he is introduced to the chief marketing officer, Mr. Youngher moves in close as they shake hands and winks. The executive takes a step back. Read the following scenario and answer the question. What advice or tips would you give Mr. Youngher as he prepares for other interviews?

A He should associate with people from diverse cultures to learn about the various customs he’ll encounter in the workplace.

B He should cancel his appointments and clear his schedule when preparing for interviews, so he’s not late.

C He should learn to appreciate the power of appearance and improve his decoding skills to be a better reader of others’ reactions.

Question #17

Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate choices: Sloppy e-mail messages and inappropriate dress

A undermine your credibility

B indicate you understand popular culture

Question #18

Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate choices:
Americans can be a bit standoffish. If someone violates their space or territory, they will ______________ . Similarly, Americans are fairly formal in the allocation of time. In the United States, if you show up on time, you demonstrate _____________ .

A turn sideways, flexibility

B turn sideways, respect

C step back, respect

Question #19

In American culture, what does pulling away from a speaker indicate? Check all that apply.

A Relaxation, Trust

B Trust, Interest

C Interest, Anxiety

D Mistrust, Anxiety

Question #20

In American culture, we tend to _________ people who look directly at us, and sustained eye contact indicates _________________

A trust, aggression

B trust, trust and admiration

C distrust, aggression

Question #21

Identify tips that would help Diane listen more effectively to her team. Check all that apply.

A Capitalize on lag time, Hold her fire, Establish a receptive mind-set

B Capitalize on lag time, Hold her fire, Raise her hand

C Capitalize on lag time, Control her surroundings, Establish a receptive mind-set

Question #22

Read the following scenario, and answer the questions that follow.

Diane is part of a recently restructured team. Diane previously held a supervisory role in a different division; however, due to a company merger, she is now a new member of a team with no formal hierarchy. In meetings, Diane is often distracted by the fact that she is no longer leading the team, and she doesn’t think her new coworkers really “get the big picture.” Diane finds herself just waiting for breaks in the conversation to make her points and ideas heard. When others are talking, she is often bored and inattentive, thinking about other tasks she needs to accomplish.

Identify the listening barriers. Check all that apply.

A Nonverbal distractions

B Faking attention, Nonverbal distractions

C Psychological barriers, Thought speed

D Grandstanding

Question #23

Complete the sentence with the most appropriate choice:
You can improve your listening if you __________

A wait for a break to interrupt with your ideas

B concentrate on what the speaker is saying

Question #24

Complete the sentence with the most appropriate choice:
You can counter the effects of physical barriers by _________

A keeping an open mind