As I begin my final semester at my university, I find myself tackling new ideas and concepts every day, and the most interesting course this semester is definitely Global Business Communications. The subject itself is very interesting, and as I think about how I can apply it to real world scenarios, I see why it is not only important in the context of just the global network in general but also to non-profits. The Symbiosis Foundation, as an example, does its business in a world that is no less complex than the world in which businesses operate. Non-profits have to deal with the same issues, communicate in the same way, but the consequences and the means used are very different.

Nonprofits are often at the intersection of the community, the government, and the for-profit sector, so nonprofits have to adapt the way in which they communicate. A message for a corporation will have a different tone than a message for a community organization. The tone for a grant application has to be precise and formatted in a certain way, but the tone for a community outreach has to have a certain level of empathy and simplicity. This reflects the same adaptations that global professionals have to make in terms of communicating in different cultures. The same set of skills is used in each case.

These are particularly important lessons for The Symbiosis Foundation. A lot of what the foundation does is based upon relationship-building in different sectors: community, government, other non-profits. Communicating becomes relationship-building in itself. A good email might be the first step in a new relationship. A good story might be what convinces a donor to support a particular project. A good message to a community partner might be what solidifies trust in a relationship. In this way, writing is more than administrative; it is strategic.

This is especially relevant to nonprofit work. When working in a team, there may be tension, conflicting priorities, a lack of resources, or conflicting timelines. It is crucial to learn how to work with disagreement in a way that doesn’t damage relationships. When a nonprofit is able to do so, it is much better positioned to form lasting partnerships and to advocate well.

At the end of the day, the belief that communication influences identity is the foundation of all global business activities as well as all work that is carried out in the non-profit sectors. Communication that is clear and respectful of the audience influences the voice of the Symbiosis Foundation, whether it is in its public announcements, blogs or posts on social media, is the foundation towards building reputation and credibility. Such displays are imperative in fostering new partnerships and facilitating consistent messaging that portrays what the Symbiosis Foundation truly wants to, and strives to be. 

Fundamentally the role of global business communications are not simply just abstract, academic concepts that can be solely applied to business operations but rather can be expanded into the playbook of non-profits. As I begin this course, I realize these skills are important to not only learn, but continuously hone in on and build upon, as these tools can drastically shift and strengthen means for collaborating and facilitating discussion. Seen this way, communication becomes the thread that ties the Symbiosis Foundation’s relationships together, helping its partnerships grow with a sense of shared purpose and steady, mutual trust.