One of the challenges of working across borders is that certain behaviours and styles of communication and body language may not have the same meaning. For example in countries such as Malaysia the etiquette for shaking hands is a soft hand to demonstrate respect; conversely in Australia a soft handshake can be interpreted as a … 
Breaking into new markets, navigating new local landscapes and understanding the behaviour and needs of global consumers are a few daunting issues requiring close consideration when preparing for global growth. I have witnessed organisations expanding into overseas markets for reasons that in hindsight were poorly planned and forecasted; fewer competitors, lower costs and growing local …
An interesting study recently released ‘Australia’s International Business Survey 2015’ had some key findings supporting the case for increased cultural intelligence (CQ). The findings provide insight into the nature, needs, concerns and future plans of the overall Australian international business community from an organisational perspective. Over 1200 Australian companies were included in the survey, from …
This month I invite you to view a short video interview of me with AHRI (Australian Human Resources Institute) where I discuss what individuals can do to become more culturally aware and communicate more effectively. I will be speaking about developing culturally intelligent leaders at AHRI’s National Convention on 26 August. Registration is now open. …
Here are a couple of short interviews that Patrick Rundel from ‘Foundation for Young Australians’ conducted with me recently. What is the role of CQ in the changing workplace? Has there been a change in how cultures interact in the workplace over the past decade? Why should young people take an interest in CQ? Here …
IKEA, a Swedish furnishings company that began in 1943, is now operating in over 46 different countries and territories; having recently opened one of their largest stores in Seoul, South Korea. It is a great example of a culturally intelligent company that continues to adjust, flex and learn from and acknowledge the cultural specific differences …
We all know people who are what I term ‘cultural chameleons’, they adjust to pretty much any new cultural environment quickly and with ease. Whether they’re traveling in a work or leisure capacity, or even if they’re in their home environment mixing with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, they know how to communicate at a …
It is widely acknowledged that diversity in our leadership teams matters, that diversity is imperative for any organisation that wants to achieve and remain competitive. While the benefits are many and varied I want to draw your attention to a recent body of research ‘Diversity Matters’ conducted by McKinsey & Company. One of the key …
‘Decoding Talent’ is a recent study conducted by The Boston Consulting Group on the global workforce of today. It is an interesting study in terms of decoding and understanding the emerging global attitudes toward work and a global overview of what makes for a contented employee. Over 200,000 people from 189 countries participated in the …
How does culture impact the effectiveness of communication platforms and apps? One our Cultural Synergies staff members shared with me a recent article in BRW that reviewed a new app called BLRT. Her interest was piqued since it is an app that has been created with one of the key design requirements being the ability …