Cultural Differences & Cultural Diversity in International Business

Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Maier, Professor of General Medicine and Aged Care also connected to The University of Melbourne, Australia, where she is Divisional Director of Medicine and Community Care. Then there is The Royal Melbourne Hospital where she is Professor of Ageing. And if that wasn't enough she also has a chair at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Tyler Muse is the Founder and CEO of Lingo Live, a language learning company he started in 2012 after learning Spanish with a woman in Guatemala, over Skype. Today, Lingo Live helps thousands of working professionals throughout the globe express their authentic voice and communicate more effectively in their jobs through highly-personal one-on-one English communication training. Lingo Live’s mission is to encourage meaningful human connections through learning.

Cy Wakeman is a dynamic international keynote speaker, business consultant, New York Times bestselling author, and global thought leader with over 25 years experience cultivating a revolutionary new approach to leadership. Her newest and most anticipated book, No Ego.

Joe Cobbs is Associate Professor of Sports Business at Northern Kentucky University, and co-founder of KnowRivalry.com. Research, teaching, and industry engagement in the Department of Marketing, Sports Business, and Construction Management. Specialties include team rivalry, international sponsorship, and the business of Formula One racing.

Neil Krishan Aggarwal is a cultural psychiatrist. He is an Assistant Professor at Columbia University, member of the university's Committee on Global Thought, and Fellow with the Truman National Security Project. His research focuses on conceptions of culture and psychology in clinical and forensic mental health settings.

Jean Paul Wyers is the founder and director of Protocolbureau, an organization based in The Hague, the Netherlands. Most people associate protocol with etiquette and Royalty, but the official definition of protocol is "how meetings with officials should be organized". In a modern translation, the method of protocol is also used by Protocolbureau to manage meetings and events with VIP’s, large clients and other important stakeholders. Protocolbureau supports organizations at official occasions and in less formal situations such as networking events, fashion shows, and even dance events.

Peter Alexander Kerkhof's academic position is research fellow at the Linguistics Department of Ghent University, Belgium. Peter Alexander is a historical linguist and philologist of the Old Germanic, Old Romance and Old Celtic languages. "History is the product of our invented past."

It's that time of the year again: Summer + Holidays. That means that for the months July and August there will be no posts on the Culture Matters website. I wish you a fantastic Summer and look forward to seeing you back in September!

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.