Working with people from different cultures is becoming increasingly more common; however it can also give rise to challenges.

Thankfully, Erin Meyer has recently published a book that provides a framework on how different cultures across the globe view communication at work.

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.

When learning about culture, really we are learning to look beyond surface deep.

Cutural awareness you could argue is about possibilities not limits.

There are many approaches to cultural awareness training.

Some sum these up as 'heavy' and 'light' approaches. What does this mean and how does it apply to business training?

Doing business in the Middle East or Arab world?

Then you really need to take some time out and read this article!

Intercultural training has become of increasing importance in the past 10 years.

Companies and organizations that are working on the international stage are starting to realise that working in or with foreign countries is not like working at home.

Are you involved in negotiations with people from other countries and cultures?

Do you sometimes get confused with the negotiation process?

Do you want some advice on giving presentations abroad or to multicultural audiences?

Then you are in exactly the right place!

Looking for examples of cultural blunders when companies have ventured abroad?

Then you are in the right place!

Cultural differences have a long and rich history of ruining marketing campaigns!

Although a little cruel, cross cultural marketing fails are a humorous means of understanding the impact poor cultural awareness can have when selling or working abroad.

Businesses who ignore cultural and language differences, do so at their peril! 

In this article, we'll explore some real life examples of the reasons why cultural sensitivity is so important and the damage caused when businesses ignoture culture.

Working across cultures is a new experience for many people. 

Intercultural communication can be a dynamic and creative affair but occasionally due to the inability to interpret people correctly it can be a challenge.

We live in an increasingly complex world.

One element of this complexity is the mixing of different cultures, languages and faiths.

Many people ask, "What is culture?" 

How can it be defined? What analogies can be used to describe it?

'The art of communication is the language of leadership' James Humes

Today's businesses are complex entities. However, one fundamental principle of success remains constant - the need for communication.

"Education is the mother of leadership." Wendell Willkie

With the march of globalisation and internationalisation growing louder and stronger, few successful businesses can now escape the need to work across cultures.

Having a poor understanding of the influence of cross cultural differences in areas such as management, PR, advertising and negotiations can lead to cultural blunders with potentially damaging consequences.

It is crucial for today's business personnel to understand the impact of cross cultural differences on business, trade and internal company organisation.

Status exists in all societies but varies in fundamental ways.

Did you know there are cross cultural differences in the way people perceive status, gain status and react to status?