Global Business Perspectives

I am the local ambassador in Detroit for www.InterNations.org, an online community that meets regularly. The membership is comprised of expatriates living in the area as well as Americans who have lived abroad or are globally minded through travel/interest.  Our group met last night for happy hour.  It is always an interesting mix of [...]

Check out this fun interactive quiz on how cultures around the globe view food, eating and etiquette. 
Questions in the quiz talk about:
What is a sign you are pleased with a meal in Japan?
What do you do when you are given a left handed fork?
Do the French like Ketchup?
Should you eat everything on your [...]

Denise Yee Grim, the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce shares ways that a small to medium sized businesses can start their global journeys in the Asian Pacific region.
Denise discusses the following global business issues:
1.  History of the Asian Pacific Region
2.  Why Immigrants are here in the U.S. doing business
3.  [...]

The international style of business is coming to the shores of America.
The way that social media encourages people to do business – by focusing on building relationships, caring what customers think, letting people get to know the people behind the brand – is a completely old idea.
It’s almost like the social media mavens read [...]

Culture is everywhere…it is in what we eat, the music we listen to and dance to, the religions we practice and the clothes we wear. 
As we celebrate the fourth of July – it represents so much about American Culture, its ideals, principles and traditions of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 
[...]

What is Cross Cultural Communication?
It is the process of exchanging meaningful and unambiguous information across cultural boundaries, in a way that preserves mutual respect and minimizes antagonism and creates inclusiveness.
Miscommunication is today’s greatest workplace hazard.  And with the world becoming smaller and more diverse, miscommunications seem to be happening more and more.  Why?
The typical [...]

This interview is with Naren Balasubramaniam from Global Crosswalk Inc.
Naren discusses global talent/expatriate job assignment challenges and preparedness, the current global economy challenges, the importance of India in the international marketplace, current trends and cultural tips.

Technorati Tags: Naren Balasubramaniam,Global Crosswalk Inc.,Global Economy,India,International Marketplace

In this interview Cindy King and I discuss the importance of understanding cross cultural communication and some ways to prevent mistakes when taking your business global. We also talk about how to make your website ready for a global audience.
Cindy King is a cross-cultural marketing and international sales consultant based in France. Her cross-cultural [...]

Many Americans and people around the world view Christmas as a Christian holiday centered around the birth of Jesus Christ. 
The history of this holiday (my personal favorite) is much more detailed than that.
Many of our Christmas traditions came from many different non-Christian and non-American ways.
1.  The date is based on the Winter Solstice
2.  [...]

According to wikipedia – the Spice Trade began well before 400 BC with civilizations of Asia merchandising spices and herbs.
The power of trade routes through the years has shifted from Asia, to Rome to the Arab world, to the western world.  Many land discoveries were accidental benefits of the global business spice trade.   [...]