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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 up [...]
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 Herald [...]
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 [...]
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 sell in [...]
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 you [...]
According to today’s Wall Street Journal, companies trying to cut costs during the global recession are taking advantage of an underutilized labor pool: talented interns. As the Journal explains, internships don’t require a lot of money or time to get started–and they allow employers to test drive new potential hires without much of a financial commitment.
Why [...]
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)
The world feels like its shrinking: Technology and travel make our world flatter by the day. But, in many ways, it’s still a big world out there.
Yesterday I was reminded of this when I led a session titled Captivating Clients and Co-workers across Cultures at the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual conference in New Orleans. Even though [...]
Have you ever felt frustrated when negotiating with someone from another country? Cultural differences really rear their heads during negotiations across cultures.
One American businessman angrily said after his lengthy–but inconclusive– negotiations with a senior Japanese businessman, “He had the authority to make a decision. So why didn’t he just decide?”
As a culture, Japanese generally value group harmony and [...]
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