“Sharing the world has never been one of humanity’s defining attributes”
Dr. Charles Xavier in the film X-Men 2
- a film viewed by millions of young people … and our next generation.
As we put our cross cultural skills in context, it is important to know what binds them and why they exist:
- seeing a national culture as having a life of its own, full of dynamics and paradoxes
- culture is seen as containing paradoxical aspects of "both/and" - instead of the bipolar "either/or"
- links of culture and behavior with space and time perspectives
- recognize the complexity and multi-dimensionality of culture and identity
- that culture is not a stable system of form and substance but dynamic sets of relationships
- perceptions of the "western" executive vs. "other" executives
How sure are you that you have not lost contracts, deals, and long-term business relationships through ignorance of a cultural taboo, wrong assumptions, or applying western business practices in a foreign country?
How can you expand your existing business market in a target country?
How can you get that competitive edge in the foreign market?
How can you show proficiency, competence, and credibility with international partners?
How can you define strengths/weaknesses, advantages/disadvantages, in your strategic planning when working with specific cultures?
How do you handle your foreign visitors?
Topics: Country/region specific business practices: verbal/non-verbal communication, introductions, greeting, business cards, gift giving, genders, taboos, time/space concepts, dress codes, guest-host protocol; International business ethics; Advertising, marketing selling; Negotiating
