Cultural Differences & Cultural Diversity in International Business

Deborah Moody is Executive Director of the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants or ACPWC. The ACPWC offers training and certification courses for wedding and event planners. They also have a membership association which provides continuing education and support for wedding professionals. Her tips to become more culturally competent are: Take the time to do (some) research. So when you come to a new destination or meet new people you know something about that culture. Not all, but something. Be open to new experiences. Realize that new cultures can enrich you. If you can, Travel. Even if it is only within your own country. Set out to make a friend where you go.

Laura Lindsay is Director of Global Communications at Lonely Planet; an avid traveler she has worked in the travel industry for almost a decade interspersed with visiting over 40 countries. Currently looking after Lonely Planet’s brand communications; Laura is responsible for Lonely Planet’s reputation in the media, profiles of the company’s spokespeople and internal company communication. Most recently, driving the company’s story of transformation from guidebook publisher to multimedia brand. Laura also manages the company’s largest brand campaign, Best in Travel. Be curious. Being curious about your new surroundings, the people, the food is the best way to experience different cultures. Engage with the local people. Go to that man around the corner. Talk to the waiter. Share stories and expertise. Don't always focus on the negative. The food you didn't like, the way you were treated. Although bad experience stories seem to be interesting to tell at birthdays, remembering the good things is really more enjoyable.

Ask the Pilot: Patrick Smith Patrick Smith is an airline pilot and the host of www.askthepilot.com. His book is COCKPIT CONFIDENTIAL: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts. His tips to become more culturally aware are: Be patient. Patience is a virtue. And this is even truer when you're dealing with different cultures. Be open minded. Ask yourself "what if..." (they were right). Be humble towards the other culture. Let the experience and what is happening around you come to you. Rather than imposing your own thoughts on them.

The Textile Industry and Culture with Imran Rath Imran Rath is from Pakistan. He has been living in Belgium since 2005 and is Running a Global Sourcing company in Belgium Since 2005, before that he was living in New York. His tips to become more culturally aware are: When you go and visit a country that you've never visited before make sure to read-up on where you're going. Read something about the history, the differences between North and South, East and West. Take out a map. Make sure that you somewhat understand, from a geographical standpoint, where you will be going.

How to make your organization GREAT, with Shane Green Shane Green, A world-renowned keynote speaker, author of Culture Hacker, and television personality, Shane Green is a business magnate who consults global Fortune 500 leaders on customer experience and organizational culture. Shane draws upon his foundation at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and works in multiple industries to transform your employees’ mindset, experience, and habits to improve customer experience, employee retention, and organizational performance. As a catalyst for the modern service economy, Shane Green and his team inspire companies and their people to move beyond the mundane and out of status quo so they want to exceed the expectations of their internal and external customers. His tips to become more culturally aware are: If your organization has values (and yes, it has values), make sure those values carry meaning to the people working in your organization. And you know what? Fresh them up while you're at it. You'll be surprised how much that will mean to them. Select the right people for your organization. Both for your sake and for their sake. It will take more time, but in the end, it will get you the right people on board and will save you a ton of money avoiding hiring the wrong type of people. What does the first day of work look like for someone new in your organization? Make it an experience rather than a procedure they need to go through. Make them :) at the end of the day. Interview Links Links that are mentioned in this episode: Email: shane@shgreen.com Get the book Culture Hacker here

In light of recent times and all the debate about immigrants and refugees around the world, Shaima joined forces with Chaithanya to put forth the stories of immigrants from different backgrounds that have called America home. Her purpose in doing so is to paint a different picture of immigrants and refugees by displaying their side of the stories and the struggles of starting from nothing.

Stefan and his "Dream-Life" family Full-time daddy who travels with the family for many years around the world. Author, blogger, and part of a family that live their dream! Worked 13 years for an international bank in the IT department and headed several multi-cultural teams and projects. His tips to become more culturally aware are: Be very aware of your intention when you deal with other cultures. Don't be shy. If you approach other people with a smile you'll be OK. Go to a Cultural Awareness workshop or course. Period. We're all human beings; don't think in terms of "high-cost employees" and "low-cost employees". This creates a wrong kind of inequality thinking

Jordan is a traveler. And he's spent many of his years in Latin America and Spain. He passes his days perfecting his Spanish, eating fun food, and talking to the people. Never about culture. But always about culture.

Lucas has been writing guidebooks for Lonely Planet since 2002, mostly specializing in Latin America.He lived in Guatemala for over 10 years, publishing a magazine and working with local NGOs. He is now based in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr. Alan Rose is Professor emeritus of University of Idaho. Born within the sound of bow bells, he has lived in France for three years and spends three months every year in Paris.