A few people sent me a link to a Burger King ad which recently ran in Spain to ask for my thoughts. The ad depicts the Hindu goddess Lakshmi sitting on top of a burger along with some snacks and features the line, “The snack is sacred”. As an expert on diversity and cross-cultural issues [...]
Relationship Building is Key to Working Across Cultures
“Just like Americans would not want to be judged by the last movie that came out of the U.S., Indians do not want to be judged by Slumdog Millionaire”, stated Mr. Ed Fuller, President & Managing Director Marriott International at the June 26th India Trade Conference in California. Believing that India has tremendous potential, Marriot [...]
Have We Become Too Politically Correct?
Have we become too politically correct? This is a question I am constantly asked. Many people say that they are tired of how “sensitive” people have become and that they are only “kidding”. And that people have “lost their sense of humor”. My mother used to say, “If it hurts someone, it is not funny”. [...]
“Your English is so good” and other things to not say!
I get complimented on my English on a regular basis. Why is that an issue? And why is that not a compliment? Because I grew up in Southern California. So, why do people continue to “compliment” me on my ability to speak English? I think it is because I wear a “racial uniform”. I look [...]
Women First: A Quick Business Etiquette Tip
If you are being introduced to a woman, always let her take the lead in whether or not you shake hands. This tip is for all cultures, even the U.S. A man should always wait to see if the woman extends her hand or simply says “hello”. It is her choice whether she shakes hands [...]
Who are You? Relationship vs. Task Oriented Cultures
It is very common when you are interacting with Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin cultures for people to ask questions before you conduct business. A typical first meeting will often include questions about your background and sometimes, very little business discussion. They want to know about: your marital status; your education; whether you have children; [...]
Michelle Obama: A Role Model for the Women of the World?
CNN had an interesting story this morning on the impact of our first lady, Michelle Obama on women around the world. Briefly it stated that simply by being who she is, she is inspiring women around the world who are seeing a dark-skinned woman and the mother of daughters being treated as an equal by [...]
2009 PIHRA Diversity & Cross-Cultural Leadership Conference
Mariah Bieber and Sangeeta Gupta will be co-chairs for the 2009 PIHRA Diversity and Cross-Cultural Leadership Conference to be held on October 1, 2009 at the Long Beach Pyramid. Mariah and Sangeeta founded the conference in 2007 to provide a resource for Southern California businesses and organizations. The conference provides cutting-edge information on a variety of diversity, cross-cultural [...]
How to avoid being the “Sex on the Beach” couple
A little bit of cultural knowledge and cultural sensitivity could have save Michelle Palmer and Vincent Acors months of anguish not to mention the international humiliation of being dubbed the “Sex on the Beach” couple. Both Palmer and Acors are British citizens who were accused of public indecency, sex outside of marriage and drunkenness
A Cultural Competent President?
I, along with millions of others, watched newly elected President Barak Obama give his first interview since taking office. It made headlines around the world not just because it was his first interview but because he sat down with Arab TV station Al-Arabiya. President Obama talked about extending a hand of friendship and said Americans [...]
Book on Cultural Intelligence
Get a "Quick Guide to Cultural Competency: Practical Tools for Leading Multicultural Business Environment"
$12.95
- Celebrating Diwali in the U.S.
- PIHRA Diversity and Cross-Cultural Leadership Summit
- They’re Not “Soft Skills”!
- Violence in Mumbai
- The time for hope
- Burger King and the Goddess
- Relationship Building is Key to Working Across Cultures
- Have We Become Too Politically Correct?
- “Your English is so good” and other things to not say!
- Women First: A Quick Business Etiquette Tip