In our increasingly globalized world, international businesses seek to fill their organizational needs by strategically shifting corporate talent from one place to another. However, a substantial percentage of international assignees fail to meet their company’s objectives. The high cost of relocating talent – and the high expectations resting on the shoulders of these talented women […]
Cross-cultural Training
History and Culture Tango in a Cup of Yerba Mate
Yerba mate tea is much more than the latest craze touted by health aficionados, which there are many. Conveniently packaged in tea bags, cans, and bottles, and now commonly sold in a variety of shops, mate has hit the mainstream. Nevertheless, what exactly is yerba mate? Moreover, what cultural meaning does it have? Like coffee […]
Greetings Matter: Handshakes Are Not Always Acceptable
We do it all the time; we meet new people at work, school, conferences, social mixers, and beyond. We offer our hands, close our grip briefly, and then let go. For many of us, handshakes are the only way we know to greet someone. It is taught and reinforced time and again. Handshakes, therefore, are […]
The Significance of Labor Day
Labor Day signifies various things for many in the United States of America: a long holiday weekend, a barbeque by the pool, the unofficial end of summer, the start of a new school year, and discounts at our favorite stores. Nevertheless, Labor Day honors the American Labor Movement. A movement filled with complex and unique struggles […]
Why A Global Mindset Is Essential
According to the Harvard Business Review, a Global Mindset comprises three components: Intellectual capital: Global business savvy, cognitive complexity, cosmopolitan outlook Psychological capital: Passion for diversity, a quest for adventure, self-assurance Social capital: Intercultural empathy, interpersonal impact, diplomacy Forward-thinking executives across industries understand the need to create polycultural understanding to prosper in international business. Leaders […]
Idioms: A linguistic Journey Across Cultures
Idiomatic expressions are curious in their function within language as they mean more than what each word denotes. Even if idioms are metaphorical and figurative, once understood they serve as a palpable and distinct feature of any language. They allow the speaker to express themselves, articulating certain sentiments without explicitly saying so. Furthermore, they offer […]
