Today, many South African job advertisements require good interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with diverse cultures. Interpersonal communication is sharing thoughts and emotions using both verbal and non-verbal language. Interpersonal communication skills are crucial for collaborating and communicating with colleagues and customers. Cross-cultural communication skills help to understand the unique needs and values of customers and colleagues with different cultural backgrounds, improving communication quality.
While this skill is crucial for any job that involves communication with people, the job of a receptionist at the Phelele’z Auto Sales. Job description of a receptionist usually includes greeting visitors, helping them navigate through an office, and supplying them with refreshments as they wait (Workable, n.d.). In other words, a receptionist is the face of any company, as they are the first person a customer meets when entering the building. A receptionist with good interpersonal skills can help Phelele’z Auto Sales make an excellent first impression on the customer. Additionally, a good receptionist can increase sales by making the customers comfortable and gaining their trust.
Cross-cultural communication skills are also crucial for a receptionist at Phelele’z Auto Sales. South Africa is known as the “rainbow nation” due to increased cultural diversity in the region (Diversity Abroad, n.d.). Employees that work directly with customers should be sensitive to their culture to maximize customer satisfaction. Attention to the customer’s cultural background can make the clients feel valued and cared for, which is central to increasing sales.
In conclusion, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills are crucial for improved collaboration with colleagues and customers. Such skills will help the receptionist of Phelele’z Auto Sales increase customer satisfaction. Thus, including such a requirement in the receptionist’s job description is adequate.
Reference
Diversity Abroad. (n.d.). Welcome to South Africa.
Workable. (n.d.). Receptionist job description.