"The manager who knows only his or her own country is doomed to become obsolete.  Most organizations can no longer afford to employ culturally myopic managers."   
Philip R. Harris & Robert Moran, Managing Cultural Differences

In the global marketplace, knowledge and skills not only mean power, it can also mean your survival. Understanding the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity is just the ante to get into the game of global business.  How well you play depends upon your level of cultural savvy.  

It is estimated that more than half of all international joint ventures fail within two or three years.  The reason most often given is cultural myopia and lack of cultural competency - not the lack of technical or professional expertise. 

Developing global cultural competency is one of the most challenging aspects of working globally. Managing the myriad work and management styles that companies face across geographies, businesses, functions and projects can be daunting. What is effective in one culture may be ineffective, or even inappropriate, in other cultures. 

Cultural Savvy recognizes that for cross-cultural training, coaching and consulting to be effective as an enhancement to an organization it must deal with several complexities in the learning process. Employees must be able to apply new learning in the performance of their assignments, and be able to observe and make the appropriate behavioral adjustments when cross cultural issues become important to their productivity or the effectiveness of the organization as a whole. 

Customizing the learning experience is the most effective way to address specific issues and objectives and maximize the impact cultural competency can have on the company’s bottom line. In today’s global marketplace, being culturally savvy is no longer just “nice to have” but a key ingredient in building and maintaining a competitive global advantage. The “one size fits all, off the shelf approach” is not effective. 

Contact us to discuss how our services can help your company become culturally savvy.  It is a smart investment that will pay long-term dividends.