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Foreign accents make a bigger (and more negative) impact than previously thought, new research from the University of Chicago shows. A recent study proves that listeners subconsciously mistrust messages received from people with foreign accents–and the mistrust grows with heavier accents. So what does this mean for those of us working globally? If we end [...]
Sitting in Lufthansa’s business lounge at the Frankfurt airport yesterday, I couldn’t help but overhear my neighbors: tables and tables of business folks, all speaking different languages, and using Frankfurt as a gateway to far flung destinations. And so, it was fitting that I spotted an article in the March 9th issue of the International [...]
Memphis architecture firm JMGR Inc. probably never expected to be doing so much business in China. As The Commercial Appeal describes, it all started when JMGR hired Kai Wang, a Chinese architect wanting to learn American hospital design methods. A positive relationship grew. And so Wang, in turn, used his contacts to help JMGR break [...]
California-based game developer, Zynga, knows that sometimes the simplest concept can be the most effective. Of the 400 million Facebook users, an estimated 75 million of those play social media games developed by Zynga monthly, with FarmVille’s being the most popular. With an estimated worth of $3 billion amassed since 2007 and an annual projected [...]
Cross cultural business gaffes aren’t just embarrassing. They can be expensive, too. The Wall Street Journal explores the financial cost of such cross cultural mistakes in “Expanding Abroad? Avoid Cultural Gaffes” (1-19-10 by Emily Maltby), showing how the lack of advance research and cultural customization can wreak havoc. Remember the Chevy Nova, which failed to [...]
Mary Kay is the quintessential, American, direct-sales success—and, against odds, it has taken that success to China. The company faced roadblocks, including Chinese laws that forbade direct sales (until the law changed in 2006) and Chinese consumers’ lack of interest in make-up. However, as Slate reports, the company has worked around those challenges, leading people [...]
How proud are your foreign clients of their native country? Quoting a recent poll from the Reputation Institute, The Economist reports that, out of the 33 countries surveyed, Australian citizens ranked highest in their trust, admiration, respect and pride in their country. (Canada took second place with poor Japan lagging far behind). And why should [...]
Leave it to High Tech to teach us how to meet client needs. Cell phone giant Nokia doesn’t want to be known as a cell phone company anymore–even though it dominates more of the global cell phone market than the next three competitors combined; as reported by Fast Company in Nokia Rocks the World: The [...]
Join me in Atlanta at the Meeting Professionals International annual MeetDifferent conference next week when I present: How to Create a Great Global Conference: Strategies for Making Attendees from Different Cultures Feel Welcome and Included (Monday, February 9 from 3:30-4:15) and Outsmart the Economy: Grow Business Globally (Tuesday, February 10 from 1:45-2:30)
As the New York Times reported today, more meetings are going virtual. High travel costs, stellar videoconferencing, and virtual tools like online document sharing, have all contributed to the rise in virtual meetings. With fewer business meetings taking place in person, how will busy business professionals grow their client bases? How will they become global rainmakers with less time spent [...]
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