Bryan Kilter opened the e-mail from his Chinese supplier. It seemed to be a request to alter some of the garment patterns currently in Kilter Fashions’s standard inventory items. Bryan was becoming overwhelmed with his relationship with the Chinese garment manufacturer. He did not speak Chinese, and the supplier did not speak English, so they both depended on software translation when they exchanged messages. This particular e-mail read: “Sweetheart Bryan, The dress have cheap wide contraction joints in the seams, if you get the goods to wear inappropriate, you can own in a local sewing shop click on it. The Costs need to accept yourself, Hope you can understanding us. Approve changes please don’t correspond by click here.” The e-mail had just come in, so Bryan quickly typed a reply: “Hello, Chin Lee. Are you saying that the new design will have an elastic panel in the sides, so that it will be easier to fit without alterations? I think I understand that the dress will cost $.70 more now. Please let me know if I understand you correctly. Thanks.” Bryan went back to work on the end-of-month inventory. Before five minutes had gone by, he received a reply from Chin Lee: “Sweetheart Bryan, The seams wear inappropriate for contraction joints, why not question your meaning. Your own construction technician able to do construct. OK?” Bryan scratched his head in bewilderment.

1. What challenges in conducting business across cultural divides does this case demonstrate?

2. What, specifically, would you suggest to Bryan as the next step?