I always try to be diligent in explaining that cross-cultural
communication skills apply not just across national cultures but equally between organisations and industries – even departments within the same organisation – think here of the stereotypical mismatch between Sales and the Accounts Department! A fellow professional speaker, Dr Gene Griessman, recently told of his experience of how you can quickly show that you are not an insider if you misuse of mispronounce the jargon or vocabulary people are used to. His story begins: “If it looks like a truck…

In 1991 the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union)

From Candy Johnnie's South Africa Safari

established the Day of the African Child (DAC). The day commemorates the incident when, on 16 June 1976 In Soweto, South Africa, thousands of black school children took to the streets to protest about the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand injured.   “This day represents a heroic and courageous fight by African children in order to be ‘heard’ and ‘seen’; and hence celebrating DAC draws attention to the plight of African children today”, said UNICEF.  Find out more information at the BBC ‘on this day’ website page.

A recent survey concerning TRUST had 17 countries unanimously
agreeing that one profession in particular was THE one to be trusted above all others.  If these 17,295 respondents are any indication of how the rest of the world feels then the likelihood is that FIREFIGHTERS are the most trustworthy group in the whole world. However, levels of trust in bankers have fallen considerably – down to a mere 37% compared with 98% for firefighters.

The GfK Trust Index for Spring 2011 determines the level of trust that citizens have in 20 professional groups and organisations (see below for more details). Of course, there are many interesting differences between the nations with Civil Servants having a vastly different reputation depending on the country in question:  just under 80% of Swiss citizens believe this profession to be trustworthy, only one in four in Greece gave a similar response.

So, who has our least degree of trust?

Managing to set up international salary structures that have a
global reach but a local touch is fraught with difficulties! The idea behind it is to ensure consistency and avoid discrimination, control costs and, along with performance management techniques, allow managers to differentiate between the performance of individuals around the world who are at different levels or hold different positions within the organisation. However, even with a global grading scheme, each country is a different market, with different expectations and, therefore, you need to design a pay system that encompasses the differences of each…

If nothing else, the credit crunch, the natural disasters of Cuba,
Pakistan and New Zealand, and the continuing tragedy unfolding in Japan have brought home to us all that we can no longer be ‘islands’ of nations any longer.  We need the support of, and give support to, a proactive international community that pulls its resources for the betterment of all.

So, if you have a child under 18, how important do you think it is that s/he should be encouraged to think globally and think of themselves as a  global citizen? A recent UK survey highlights that around three-quarters of parents believe that schools should help their children think globally (71%) and to develop abilities to be responsible global citizens (72%). It also demonstrates that the teaching of global issues is important to parents…

How about getting involved with International
Conflict Resolution Day? In 2011, it will fall on Thursday, October 20th. One of the easiest ways you can help spread awareness is to let others know what is happening in your area on or around Conflict Resolution Day. What kind of special activities are planned? Will you personally be doing something to honour the day? Can you sing conflict resolution-related songs? Want to read a poem for the world to hear? Phone it in! In celebration of CR Day, there’s a fun set of online games with conflict resolution content appropriate for different age levels. Fun and educational too.

21st century managers are now required to expand and adapt
their leadership and communication skills to leading virtual cross-cultural teams. However, building and nurturing efficient intercultural and transnational teams are enough of a challenge without throwing in remote or virtual managing!  The 21st century manager has to adapt in order to offer modern solutions to modern problems; in fact,s/he needs to become a global manager. So, what guide lines can I offer you to help you become a global manger with the ability to promote high performing virtual teams? What skills and attributes do you need in order to be effective?