On my third blog I
would like to share my findings on how culture plays a role in Communication. I
am currently interning at PT. Graha Agung Wibawa located in Bogor Indonesia. In
my previous blogs I talk about cultural shocks that I experienced throughout
the few weeks I work here. Seems like cultural differences keeps popping out
through every aspect of my internship.
As an intern I was
tasked with many different communication state of affairs between the company
and the tenants. In my study at university we cover many different
communication tools such as face-to-face meetings, emails, letters, social
network etc. In the case of PT. Graha Agung Wibawa it’s a bit different.
There are levels of
respect associated with communication. Each tenants, depending on their size or
sales have different communication tools. This is differing by their power and
how ‘face’ is correlated with communication.
Starting from the
bottom, stores that are individually owned such as clothings, computers and
mobile phones stores usually set up a face-to-face meeting with the staffs. In
this case these are small shops where the owners of these shops are more likely
to be in the store at all times. Whether by casual text, phone calls or emails
a meeting would be arrange and a staff or two would go up to the stores to
meet. This way the conversation is more casual and friendly. I find this
communicating tool the easiest and less nerve racking because you get to see
the emotion of the tenants and be able to receive any information straight
away. The problem I experience with this communicating tool is that because it
is face-to-face the staff does not have the chance to discuss the matter in
hand with the higher power. In many cases multiple meetings would need to be
held before problems are solved.
In the case of big
franchise stores such as Samsung, Nokia or Cellular Networks, the communication
tool of emails is used. Different from what we learn in PR, these emails
contain an attachment of a scanned document that includes typed contents,
company logo and hand written signature of head of department. The letters are
written in formal language to show respect to these big franchises and are most
likely to be proof read by head of department before it is sent. The respond of
these emails would also include similar attachment. Though this process takes
longer time to send and receive I find that problems are solved faster because
of the respect each companies have for each other are very visible. The typed
document would most likely to include very detailed information and numbers. I
found this way of communication show amazing level of respect that I don’t
usually see in western culture.
For the anchor tenant
of the shopping centre, Ramayana department store (similar to Myers or David
Jones in Australia), a printed letter that includes company logo and head of
department personal signature are packaged and sent through the mail by Ti-ki
(similar to fed-ex). Responses sent similarly would be kept in a compartment in
the office and if were to be copied only black and white photocopier would be
allowed instead of colour scanner. The reason for this is because it is
believed that black and white copies are perceive as unofficial copies
meanwhile coloured copies would be a replica or a fake document. The amount of
work involve with these communication tool is great and takes the longest time.
It is not electronically kept and has higher chances of being lost.
What is consistent
between all of these communication tools is the maintaining of time structure.
As each communication tools involve a lot of work and time into it, it is
important to be on task for communication to run smoothly and not too late to
respond.
It amazes me how
communication differs culturally. This has been a great experience and learning
opportunity for me and how even after three years of PR, there are still new
knowledge learnt during my internship.
Levia Kwee
15617178
Curtin Bentley
