Blog
People doing business internationally, business travellers, expats, and fans of crosscultural skills around the world, this is the blog for you! Read all about successful business, countries and cultures!
Here and Home
Occasionally, even the most global-savvy among us might feel displaced – geographically or culturally. And this imbalance can affect all facets of our lives, from personal relationships to career performance. Our coach Kalaivani Mattern believes that there are myriad ways to turn that unease around. Read about her approach “Here and Home” when supporting her expat clients.
Work in Germany still a Work-in-Progress? Here’s how to get to the next Level
Our Business Coach for Germany Andra Riemhofer explores the pitfalls international companies face when entering the German market. And of course she knows what you can do better than the big names!
4 compelling examples how global management decisions can fail
Why management decisions like shorter product-development cycles or open office space can quickly fall apart when not translating well from one business culture to another.
Can small talk influence the success of negotiations?
The right choice of a conversational topic contributes to a mutual understanding and building trust necessary for business negotiations and cooperations. Our coach Eva Gaborikova explores how small talk can influence the outcome of business in different countries.
Why Central European businesspeople often feel lost when working with Chinese partners
“They say “yes” but don’t keep the agreement” or “When we meet, we do not discuss business”. These and many other sentences our coach Eva Gaborikova hears very often when her Central European clients talk about their Chinese business colleagues.
Why business coaching really is for everyone
Some of the world’s most successful business leaders have relied on business coaching during their steep careers. But in today’s virtual world, business coaching really is accessible to everyone – and most beneficial when dealing with the many challenges of global business life.
Flexibility, Authority, Obedience
Justin (55), originally from Romania, has been living and working in Saudi Arabia for 8 years. While he travelled across the world and started from scratch, he didn’t reprofile, but he stayed in his field, and now works as an assistant professor at a state university. We asked him about the transition and his experiences and challenges, both professional and personal.
“I thought it was clear!”
Our coach Silke Irmscher illustrates why there is no common sense in crosscultural business communication. Read her 4 essential tips what to do when things are quite unclear!
9 ways to communicate more effectively with non-native speakers of English
How can we English native speakers derive maximum benefit from our interactions with non-native speakers, leading to successful business deals and strong partnerships? (part 2)
Why native English speakers can be at a disadvantage working globally
Sometimes in a room full of non-native English speakers, everyone understands each other apart from when a native English speaker starts talking! (part 1)
How US-American cultural values are exposed during the COVID-19 season
Having lived in ten countries and five U.S. states, our coach Megan Norton describes herself as a Global Nomad and Adult Third Culture Kid. COVID-19 has forced her to stay longer than anticipated in a community where she is now observing how certain cultural values are exposed in this time of crisis.
Our current individual challenges defined by culture
In our previous article we discussed how each society has its very own way of coping. Now we want to focus on the individual aspects of coping with an entirely unknown situation that seemingly found us out of nowhere.
On the reality of just how different we are
The fact that inclusion specialists, intercultural trainers and professionals educated in intercultural competence have long emphasized: that we are not the same, has now become more than visible for literally everyone literally everywhere.
What new blood can gain from old tricks
There are certain skills in life that are considered elementary, that everyone must master them, however, nobody is perfect and there are certain times when you learn something at a slower rate compared to others.
How hard it is to change – even if you have to
It is very hard to behave against your beliefs since they influence nearly everything you think and do. Our guest author Silke Irmscher shows what impact culture has on us and why people still put themselves at risk in times of COVID-19.
Wanted: Communication Superheroes in times of Social Distancing
Why is social distancing so hard for some? And why can showing solidarity negate social distancing? Our guest author Kalaivani Mattern explores what individuals can do to help during this time of global crisis.
Emergency home schooling
Tips and ideas if you just found yourself having to be parent and teacher at the same time.
Non-contact greetings from various cultures
It might not be the best time to be kissing each other on the cheek or shaking hands. Let’s learn some different forms of greetings from cultures around the world.
Remote working and building trust: my list of best practises
We have been forced into this situation of remote working and virtual collaboration overnight. Our coach Kalaivani Mattern explores how we can adapt to this new reality?
So, was it worth moving?
Leaving your home raises so many questions – about your own personality, and your priorities.
What about the bitter expat?
Frustration is usually built up by the constant not meeting of expectations. And this can happen easily and often when you find yourself in a new place. Let’s look into it, what else makes the “bitter expat”?
Language, culture and creativity
The way we speak is not only a result of how we think, but also a cause of certain thinking patterns.
Connecting
When you move to a new place, the first thing that happens is that the world opens up. It’s like all of a sudden everything is possible, and everyone is a potential new friend.
And if you are crazy enough …
Sabrina (27), originally from Sweden, is now working in Budapest as a localization manager and a yoga teacher – both of which are about the ability of constant adaptation, flexibility and strength.
Keep in touch!
The dreading of emails, texts, chat and phone calls: this is one thing that almost every expat I talked to, mentioned at some point. And it is what I also felt almost a year into my new life after moving.
Adaptation: both a front- and back end job
It is one thing to theoretically know about cultural differences, to be very aware, open-minded and prepared, and a totally different one to get the firsthand experience.
Existential Migration
Unlike all the different sorts of forced migration, or simple wanderlust, existential migration has its roots in a deeper, existential need for the feeling of freedom.
Be there or be square
So, my mother’s story goes like this: it was a lovely, warm summer evening and they were waiting for the famous yellow tram in Lisbon. The sign said that it was expected to arrive in seven minutes.
Expats, share your stories!
Why you should go out there, and start talking, tell all the stories that run on and on in your head, without judging and/or censoring them. And listen to anyone who is willing to share theirs.
