The Blog for Culture Vultures

Recent studies on facial expressions have destroyed any suggestions that facial expressions convey the same emotions or meanings all over the world.

I'm really happy to announce the release of some new soft-skills DVDs which we think you'll soon be passing around the office. These DVDs have been added due to customer demand and we have a great choice now covering a range of topics from customer service to management to listening skills.

Are you going on a business trip and wondering about the cultural etiquette of the country? Are you working with international counterparts from a specific country and encountering some issues related to communication, relationship building or management?  

Chances are you have been to an airport at least once in your life: thus, the fact that airports can be characterised as culturally diverse places is probably nothing new to you. Of course, airport staff should be prepared to cope with people from all over the world. But how should they handle all these different cultures?

In January 2014 I participated at the event ‘Doing Business in Germany’ hosted by UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) in Bristol. This event was held due to the upcoming German trade fair Hannover Messe and CeBIT to enable UK businesses to see the export opportunities available.

The winter Olympics have just started in Sochi and Russia expects a lot from it as the Olympic Games always represent the opportunity to shine in the world. The international attention that this event draws to 'the Motherland' will be an excellent opportunity to share some of its culture.

The 18th annual Corporate Relocation Conference and Exhibition took place on the 3rd of February this year, in London. We attended the conference to gain further insight about the latest discussions in the field of global mobility.

Have you ever wondered how other cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day? Does everyone give gifts? Is it always celebrated by couples, or do some cultures celebrate with family? What about special unique traditions, they must differ from country to country? Do some countries celebrate Valentine’s at all?

Conflicts are never beneficial for a working environment – cultural conflicts are one of many challenges that need to be avoided at all costs. A recent study, however, revealed that avoiding cultural clashes in the workplace does not only result in a more peaceful environment, but can aid the creative process within companies as well.

Always wanted to know more about the Swazi language and culture but found plane tickets a tad too expensive? With the new SiSwApp that is to be launched in February next year, the culture of the beautiful African country will unfold itself before your very eyes!

You may have seen this amazing graphic going viral in the past couple of days. How did such a simple and funny representation of stereotype become viral so quickly? To find out more, we interviewed it’s creator – Jerome Vadon.

Students and graduates, pack your bags! Studying or working abroad is not only an experience of a lifetime, the lessons you learn when you spend time in another country might benefit you later in life as well. Fiona Timba explains why every UK citizen should exchange the British Isles for the European main land once in their lives.

Most of the reputable global relocation companies conduct annual surveys whereby they gather data on global mobility trends in international companies. Plus Relocation – a company operating in corporate relocation for the past 40 years, just published the results of their Planning for International Mobility Survey.

Last week, Triple Pundit published an interview with impact investment expert Jed Emerson. Here, Emerson explains why multilingual leadership is important for those involved in this field.

As a team manager leading a multicultural team, you go through the stages of team development perhaps a bit longer than when working with most monocultural teams. When you feel you’ve had enough of battling the cultural differences, and that you just want to call it a day, don’t despair – keep in mind that due to the diversity, the ups and downs feel extreme however in the end, there is simply much more to gain.

Maps are a great source of information – but they can also become points of contention as maps, by their very nature, draw political, cultural and historical boundaries. When these boundaries are incorrect it can lead to negative consequences.

According to a new study, not enough organisations regard a culturally diverse work force as a top priority. As having employees from different countries and cultures can benefit an organisation greatly, experts are urging Human Resource departments to take action!

For many people the world of finance is a mystery, a closed book that just a few adventurous souls will dare to open. However, even if you are not working in the financial department, it is very important to understand the impact of financial aspects on non-financial processes within an organization.

Up to now many companies have largely underestimated one essential part of their capital - and that is human capital. Businesses can have endless material and financial resources, but without a strong workforce, they cannot make use of these resources.

Leadership may sound a lot more exciting and glamorous than management.  However, what do you think it takes to implement all the innovative ideas and ensure that visions will actually turn into reality? ...Exactly. This will not be achieved without having an effective management strategy in place.