+44 0330 027 0207 or +1 (818) 532-6908
The giving and receiving of gifts is an important part of professional and personal life in the Middle East.
Closely tied up with the need to maintain relationships and as a way of gaining and giving face, gift-giving bonds people together.
Why do we focus on culture in corporate training? Is it really all that important?
Understanding the role culture plays in our lives is very important.
Online training for cross-cultural skills is in high demand. So why are corporate training stakeholders turning to e-learning?
Traditional face-to-face training has become more of a challenge over the past 15 or so years.
The culture of learning and development within most organisations has changed dramatically.
Although online learning programmes are now recognised by the majority of corporate businesses as a great way to train busy and mobile staff, there has traditionally been more resistance to using stand-alone games.
Travelling to Italy for work or business?
Want to make a good impression?
The 1st of May will mark the start of a new era in Japanese history.
Emporer Akihito is making way for his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, in Japan’s first imperial abdication in over 200 years.
For those of you interested in the Saudi people and culture, Google Search Engine data is a great starting point.
By looking at what people in Saudi Arabia are searching for online, you can establish a good understanding of what’s important to the Saudi people and, from this, draw inferences about the culture and life in Saudi Arabia.
Every now and again the business world hands the cross-cultural training world some great examples of cultural difference in action!
One such case study is that of Carlos Ghosn, ex-CEO of the Japanese car giant, Nissan.
For new expats relocating to the UAE, it’s fair to say that the transformation that takes place during the month of Ramadan can present quite a cultural shock to those who don’t understand it.
Whether you’re in the more conservative area of Sharjah, or, in the more liberal Dubai, Ramadan generally plays out in the same way and the same traditions and practices are observed.
Providing relocation training for expats moving to the Middle East means that we get to hear a great deal about people’s experiences in their new home country.
Although moving to the Middle East can be an incredibly positive experience, it goes without saying that adapting to new cultures and ways of doing things can be a challenge.
Did you hear about the supermodel, the airport lounge and the cultural faux pas that caused uproar in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
No? Well, this is a great little example of culture gone wrong!
This is a common stereotype often heard about the British.
In some parts of the world, they have a reputation for being ‘cold’ and ‘unfriendly’.
What impact do you think cultural differences have on a business relationship and trust-building?
Well, researchers have taken the time to try and find out!
Culture is everywhere; whether you know it or not.
It influences everything from how we get married, do business with one another and yes, deal with a pandemic.
By overlooking the importance of intercultural training, companies do not get the most out of their employees.
David Livmore is here to make us aware of the significance of knowing a bit more about your co-workers’ cultures.
Would you drink fermented mare’s milk with your new potential Mongolian business partners to seal a deal?
Or would you politely decline?
As part of the 2014 Export Week, Commisceo trainer Joyce Jenkins was invited to speak at UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Women in Export event.
UKTI offers its services to UK based companies seeking to expand their business overseas, providing expert advice and practical support for exporting into foreign markets and understanding overseas business practices.
Their Master Class, held at Gatwick on the 13th of November, dealt with the challenges faced by women when exporting, with a particular focus on doing business in the Far East.
In addition to gaining a better understanding of the role UKTI can play in assisting companies in exporting, attendees heard from representatives of women-led businesses who had overcome barriers to trade in this region. Victoria Christian, Global Brand Ambassador for luxury goods producer Clive Christian, along with Claire Selby, Managing Director of educational materials producer Yellow House English Ltd., spoke about their respective experiences entering markets in the Far East.
Understanding a country's past helps you understand its present.
Kathinka gives her viewpoint on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall; a physical and symbolic wall that shaped the Cold War and today still influences German culture.