Language and Culture; Tools for bridging business barriers

Understanding the relevance of an entrepreneurial university in Cameroon today, African Business Coordinator at VIVES, Paul Nchu Ngang highlighted in his talk as second guest speaker for the month of January that language and culture are very important tools for breaking barriers in the business world.

Paul Nchu Ngang made it known that for one to successfully work with a people for whatever purpose, learning their language and culture was of prime importance. This he said could be attained through research (videos, tv), communication and interaction.

During his presentation on the topic “International Business- Cross Cultural Communication and Management” he outlined the different cultural categories of people who are the linear active (listeners), multi-active (talkers) and the reactive (those who fall between listeners and talkers).

He further highlighted strategies for effective communication which include negotiation skills, corporate social responsibility, criticism and philanthropy which he mentioned were priority when working in a community. He called on the students to be open to criticisms and never to see it as a failure but as a reason for improvement.

"Human relations have always been of interest to me. Listening to Paul Ngang, I am now very motivated to learn and know the different languages and cultures of different people within and out of Cameroon. Also, I now have a different view on criticisms and how to react to them,” Paule Desiree, Senior year student, School of Business said.

Paul Nchu Ngang is African Business Coordinator and lecturer at VIVES University College Kortrijk Belgium. He has an MBA from McGill University Canada and a Board of Directors at Jeunesses Musicales International Brussels, Belgium.