CULTURAL COLUMN – Insights into cultural differences cannot be summarised as a magic list of “Do’s and Don’ts”. It can actually cost you business and your integrity – often without your knowledge. Differences between cultures are often subtle but can have major consequences for business relationships.

CULTURAL COLUMN – For personal development to be effectively addressed in training sessions, participants need to be actually motivated to acquire new skills and to act in a more culturally appropriate way.

CULTURAL COLUMN – Across cultures the concept of ‘face’ is misunderstood: it is a measure of one’s personal status, good name, and good character. Face keeps relationships intact, it maintains group harmony and it promotes group solidarity. But it can also be ‘lost’.

CULTURAL COLUMN – We have invested valuable time and money implementing management concepts across cultures without taking culture into account. We might also not realise that we actually undermine the effectiveness of our organisations.

CULTURAL COLUMN – The impact of time and action on cultural behaviour: people rarely realise that time-systems are culture specific and impact on collaboration and communication.

CULTURAL COLUMN – Recognising that staff, clients or partners might differ in skin colour, race, religion, accents and language fluency is simply not enough information on which to design an effective cultural training program.

CULTURAL COLUMN – Organisations and outsourcers who understand cultural differences and the impact on the work relationships by developing cultural competence of their staff are reaping the benefits.

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