A question commonly raised during Middle East cross-cultural training is why the region is named this way.
Geographically, there’s very little ‘east’ in the Middle East.
Neil is one of the founders of Commisceo Global. An avid traveller, back-packer and globetrotter, he has a passion for culture. As well as work in cross-cultural training, education and research he also fills his time & head with a love of the Middle East, languages, archery, horses, 90s jungle, reggae, building with earth, permaculture and...
Neil is one of the founders of Commisceo Global. An avid traveller, back-packer and globetrotter, he has a passion for culture. As well as work in cross-cultural training, education and research he also fills his time & head with a love of the Middle East, languages, archery, horses, 90s jungle, reggae, building with earth, permaculture and Iranian cinema.
A question commonly raised during Middle East cross-cultural training is why the region is named this way.
Geographically, there’s very little ‘east’ in the Middle East.
Having worked in Dubai for over 10 years, one of the things that constantly amazes me about visitors to the Emirate is that they think they have landed in some sort of desert version of Las Vegas, where everything goes.
Well, as British IT consultant Jamil Ahmed Mukadam has found out - it is anything but.
A word of warning for anyone travelling to Saudi Arabia - stay well away from any dabbing. The move could see you spending some time in jail.
Abdullah al-Shahrani, a Saudi entertainer, was recently detained by Saudi authorities after dabbing during a concert in the city of Taif.
Can Theresa May's vision of a 'Global Britain' really come true when even the Institute of Translation & Interpreting question if the UK has the language or cultural skills necessary to compete globally?
Once unshackled by the chains of the EU, the future of Britain is being positioned as one of a global trader. However, to be a global trader you need the skills to do so.
Do you work with or travel to Muslim majority countries? Do you know Ramadan is a matter of weeks away?
For 30 days’ life gets flipped upside down for most Muslims – this impacts business.
Some recent news coverage focusing on Theresa May not wearing a headscarf on her business trip to Saudi Arabia has caused some major confusion over etiquette and protocol in the Kingdom.
Certain news outlets and media seemed to use terminology that suggested that the British PM May somehow 'refused' the idea of covering her hair.
I think most people would agree that 2016 was full-on in terms of major events that are shaping our world. Some shook the world and will continue to do so in the coming years.
The voices grow louder and more confident daily…begging the question, who is doing what to counter this? Some elements of the media seem unfettered in the blatant divisiveness.
Having received great feedback on my blog about the place of "tarof" in Persian culture, a few people have requested a brief guide to doing business in Iran for companies making the journey over.
So here goes....
Despite current tensions with Iran, the demand for Iran cultural awareness training continues to surge and, as the senior Iran cultural trainer, I spend a lot of time helping businesses understand the nuances of Iranian culture.
One topic that attendees always struggle with, is the cultural concept 'ta’rof'. It's essential that anyone travelling to Iran understands this principle in detail - as not to do so will risk potential offence.
If UK loses out on Erasmus, we lose the next generation
One of the OMG moments I had during my post-Brexit bewilderment was what would happen to funding for the Erasmus programme; an EU initiative to support students to study abroad for one year.
Cultural Training that Does More Damage than Good?
As part of an effort to help immigrants settle into life in Norway, cultural awareness courses have been made compulsory.
Weak Pound Signals Export Opportunities
If one thing is certain in this time of post-Brexit uncertainty, it’s that the Great British Pound is down the pan and looks like it might stay there for a while.
I’m going to be honest with you. I have written this blog once already – I fully expressed my views and vented my frustrations as to the recent events in the UK. I am now taking all those words back and starting again.
Why? I can pick holes and point to the lies all day but nothing is going to change. The only thing that will change is the future.
Then this blog is for you!
Find out why relationship buiding is integral to success in the region.
Have you heard those nightmare stories of foreigners working abroad and causing offence?
Well, strap yourself in because this is one hell of a tale!
Case studies from real business life are always the most powerful of ways to highlight the importance of local knowledge and cultural awareness for those operating in foreign countries.
Often ignored or undervalued, this lack of sensitivity can sometimes have messy outcomes.
“There’s no food for a lazy man”; a common saying displayed all over Accra, and one heard too. In Ghana there are many proverbs to illustrate the values of Ghanaian people, and this one just stood out today (first day here!).
Gary Lineker is facing criticism for his live comments on Al Jazeera that were seen to be offensive to Muslims.
Every now and again we get an international story that demonstrates the importance of cultural awareness in the modern age.
Examples include the Israeli tourists kissing in a Hindu shrine, the movie poster that offended Buddhists and sparked protests in S.E. Asia or the now infamous Prophet Muhammad Cartoons.
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