Cultivating a diverse workplace and communicating with cross-cultural audiences are critical to organizational success. Clear and effective workplace communication between managers, executives and co-workers creates a more equitable environment. Inclusion and showing respect for everyone benefits a company by promoting performance and creating comfortable working conditions. In addition, when a business’ client and customer base consists of people from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the marketing and overall profits can increase.

An online Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi develops the in-demand leadership skills to rise above the competition in the business world. By emphasizing the ability to communicate to diverse audiences effectively, with both the written and spoken word, this online degree program prepares students to analyze and arrange the combination of business functions in complex organizations, diverse cultural settings and the global marketplace.

The Importance of Communicating With Diverse Audiences

A business must know and understand its audiences, such as its client base or employees. To effectively communicate with and reach its audience, an organization needs to consider how the audience is motivated and how they interact with and see their world. Management should examine their biases and understand how their experiences shape their view of the world to create a connection with their audiences. To communicate successfully, business professionals must craft their messages to make the most sense to a diverse audience.

Diversity is the acknowledgment and inclusion of people with distinct backgrounds and characteristics, such as age, race, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion or abilities. These individual characteristics make a person unique. The workplace can also include professional or academic backgrounds, personal experiences, skills and talents. A recent McKinsey & Company study showed that businesses with a more inclusive and diverse workforce outperformed non-diverse companies by 36%.

A diverse workforce that includes cognitive diversity avoids groupthink, fosters innovation, supports global markets, increases talent retention and improves problem-solving. Inclusive brand marketing involves creating positive change, hiring and retaining diverse employees and connecting with a diverse audience. Below are some helpful tips for communicating with diverse audiences:

  • Use various mediums to communicate clearly. Utilizing multiple communication methods — such as newsletters, videos, tweets, print advertisements or articles — can convey information in ways the audience feels most comfortable or accessible.
  • Consider body language. Different cultures have varying forms of non-verbal communication. Gestures and eye contact practices vary as well as degrees of personal space.
  • Practice active listening. Repeating information for clarification can eliminate misunderstandings when communicating with employees or co-workers.
  • Pay attention to biases. Word choice and tone can be off-putting or offensive in different contexts. Being fair and open will create a welcoming work environment.
  • Provide adequate training. Business leaders who provide diversity and inclusion training to their employees can create a harassment-free workplace without the microaggressions that create a hostile work environment.

What’s Next

Advanced business degree programs can reinforce the positive impact that diversity in the workplace and inclusive brand marketing have. The online MBA from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi helps students develop their technological, communication and analytical skills to advance their careers with various audiences. This program prepares graduates to solve problems using analysis-based decision-making tools, provide leadership to teams working in collaborative problem-solving situations and resolve ethical issues in a socially responsible manner.

Learn more about Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s online MBA program.