intercultures.de

Culture at Work: The Value of Intercultural Skills in the Workplace

In its study titled “Culture at work: The value of intercultural skills in the workplace“, the British Council has researched the importance of intercultural competencies for organisations and – together with more than 360 HR managers from 9 different countries – tried to find the answers to this topic.

More than 50% of the organisations interviewed regularly work with foreign clients and business partners, and two thirds of interviewees report that their employees are in frequent contact with international colleagues.

The extent of these international interfaces suggests that intercultural competencies are of critical importance for these organisations – which is confirmed by the participants in this study. Almost all of the HR managers consider these competencies to be important or very important, in particular the ability to adopt new and different ideas and mindsets.

Intercultural competencies are seen as crucial for the efficient cooperation of teams, for building trust with clients and for developing relationships with new clients. In fact, according to the respondents, intercultural competencies play a greater role than job-specific qualifications and expertise for these and many other tasks. The HR managers agreed that their employees’ intercultural skills carry significant monetary value for their organisation.

However, many organisations do not yet adequately manage this potential. This is mainly evident in two areas: the recruitment of staff with the necessary intercultural competencies and the development and strengthening of these competencies with existing staff.

As an example, only one third of the HR managers interviewed actively screen for intercultural competencies during their recruitment process. Why? Is it a lack of time or financial resources? With the right tool, intercultural competence can be measured cost-efficiently and within a short space of time. Do you know our tool SISA (Scale for intercultural self-analysis)? Using a web-based questionnaire, you can test the intercultural competencies of your recruitment candidates within 20 minutes.

With regard to the development and strengthening of these competencies, even though almost all of the respondents consider these to be critical for the global success of their organization, only 50% of them support their employees with relevant measures. This is another area in which we can support you and are happy to work with you to find suitable measures for your employees.

Do you want to maximise your organisation’s potential? Then contact us on info@intercultures.de to arrange an appointment.

Posted in Field Reports | May 3rd, 2013

Licensing Workshop: Virtual Performance Assessment (VPA®)

Virtuality has arrived in our professional realities. The winners of tomorrow will be companies that proactively drive the performance of their virtual co-operations (virtual leadership, remote project management, networking, etc.).

After years of research the trainer and consultants Line Jehle, Marcus Hildebrandt and Stefan Meister have developed a unique assessment tool to support companies in performing successfully in virtual global environments. The tool is specifically dedicated to senior trainers and consultants who want to enlarge their service portfolio with an approach that helps to design effective interventions for global teams.

Due to the globalization efforts of our customers and the increasing usage of new communication technologies customer demands towards us are getting more and more complex: Not only do we have to deal with communication, cooperation and leadership in intercultural contexts, but also have to cover questions concerning virtual communication e.g. critical e-mail communication, netiquette, virtual meetings using web-based internet platforms plus time zone management. On top of that we are challenged by aspects of virtual leadership: remote project management and networking, usage of the right media for the right purpose in context of employee management, authenticity in online communication.

About Virtual Performance Assessment (VPA®)

Linking project management, organizational and cultural issues with the world of communication technology, VPA is the most complete assessment tool to lay the basis for high performing virtual teams, groups, and networks.

Based on years of research and experience consulting teams in virtual collaborations, tested numerous times in a variety of conditions, it assesses performance in 5 categories and 20 dimensions.

It is a completely web-based assessment tool: from purchasing licenses online, to starting an online survey, right to creating pdf-based reports, everything can be done on a 24/7 basis.

Example of VPA® - Results

The results of a VPA process enable consultants to design fine-tuned interventions and guide team leaders, members, and even whole organizations to areas of potential virtual performance improvement. The tool and the platform that hosts it are developed by intercultures, but once licensed, consultants have complete control from an individualized dashboard and are autonomous in the use of their assessments.

We invite you to our next Virtual Performance Assessment (VPA®) Licensing Workshop in Berlin on September 26th, 2012 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at the SIETAR Forum.

Some of the contents of the licensing workshop are:

Theoretical background on the diagnostic instrument VPA
Technical usage of the web-based VPA platform
How to interpret the results of a survey
How to use the VPA process in customer contexts addressing leaders, teams, and organizational units
How to market the tool and the corresponding services

For further information and registration please go here or contact us under mendieta@intercultures.de or friese@intercultures.de or via phone under +49-30-7886661.

Posted in New Developments | August 7th, 2012

Film Material on Managing Transcultural Conflicts in Organizations

The demand for videos and training materials on managing conflicts across cultures in organizations has grown significantly in the 21st century. Understanding and respecting cultural differences has become a critical skill in the workplace.

This motivated intercultures consultant Claude-Hélène Mayer to develop training material on this matter. The corresponding DVD covers diverse topics and presents seven examples of transcultural communication practices in international workplaces amongst different organizations.

The DVD contains a complete set of edited video scenarios. It also includes PowerPoint programs, which have been created using the video material. The combination of video slides and video scenario excerpts highlight specific competencies in the transcultural work environment. The tools are designed in such a way as to allow anyone who is competent in creating PowerPoint presentations to adapt the material to suit their specific needs.

This DVD package includes two DVD discs, one PAL format DVD and a second data DVD. Please contact Claude-Hélène Mayer for more information and ordering copies: mayer@intercultures.de

Managing transcultural conflicts in organizations

Claude-Hélène Mayer, Christian Martin Boness

2011, DVD video, PAL-DVD: RC-free, duration: 1:12 h,

Data DVD: Didactic training material, € 39,90, ISBN 978-3-8309-2612-2

Posted in Field Reports | June 6th, 2012

Lokal Global: a series of events organised by intercultures

Lokal Global is a Germany-wide series of events organised by intercultures. Its goal is to give executives, managers and heads of international projects guidance and inspiration for their global challenges.

On June 10, 2011, we will be welcoming companies from the regions of Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony. During two interactive sessions, participants will receive insights into – and deepen their knowledge of – best practices in intercultural competence development.

How do you make your employees internationally more successful? (Photo: Getty images, Buena Vista Images/Photodisc)

Stefan Meister, director of intercultures, will show how to develop the international competitiveness of employees.

In the second session, Li Yang, one of our most experienced experts on China, will raise the participant’s awareness of the opportunities and potentials when doing business with Chinese and Asian partners.

Afterwards, the event offers a forum for participants to share their experiences in the international context.

If you are interested in participating in our workshop Lokal Global in Berlin, please email friese@intercultures.de for more information.

Posted in Projects with Customers | May 9th, 2011

Big Apple, Windy City

To meet the increasing demand of intercultures’ services in North America, we interviewed a selection of trainers and consultants in New York and Chicago. Both cities have traditionally been favourites for subsidiaries of German companies.

Meeting in Manhattan: Marion Freimuth-Popovic and Stefan Meister (Photo: Stefan Meister)

In New York, Marion Freimuth and Jamie Gelbtuch were selected. While German Marion Freimuth’s special focus is on German-American issues, Manhattan-born Jamie Gelbtuch offers global business skills as well as culture-specific training on Latin America, France and the US.

In future, Malii Brown will be representing Chicago on the intercultures map. She is not only able to offer impressive international experience but has also had a long career in the intercultural field. Malii’s focus is on US-specific and cross-cultural topics as much as on diversity and inclusion.

This increase in our North American’ competencies enables us to offer an even more flexible and sustainable response to customer enquiries.

Meeting in Manhattan: Marion Freimuth-Popovic and Stefan Meister (Photo: Stefan Meister)

In New York, Marion Freimuth-Popovic and Jamie Gelbtuch were selected. While German Marion Freimuth-Popovic’s special focus is on German-American issues, Manhattan-born Jamie Gelbtuch offers global business skills as well as culture-specific training on Latin America, France and the US.

In future, Malii Brown will be representing Chicago on the intercultures map. She is not only able to offer impressive international experience but has also had a long career in the intercultural field. Malii’s focus is on US-specific and cross-cultural topics as much as on diversity and inclusion.

This increase in our North American’ competencies enables us to offer an even more flexible and sustainable response to customer enquiries.

Posted in intercultures’ Culture | January 21st, 2011

Building bridges in Istanbul

Over the last two years, the number of requests for intercultures to give keynote speeches at international meetings has increased significantly. The advantages are clear: Even during a brief presentation, interests can be aroused and themes covered for which there is little time in daily business. Participants work together to address issues relating to differences and commonalities that are all too often ignored. These discussions create a closeness that is conducive to team development and a common identity. At the same time, an exciting topic adds welcome relief to the usual succession of PowerPoint presentations.

For AB Enzymes’ annual global sales meeting in Istanbul, intercultures was invited to introduce and establish the event’s theme “Building Bridges” with just such an interactive speech, since international sales requires intercultural competences: AB Enzymes’ sales managers originate from more than a dozen nations and are responsible for customers in over 50 countries.

On Istanbul’s European side: Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque

AB Enzymes (www.abenzymes.com) is a global market leader in enzyme production. With its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, plus regional offices in the USA, Singapore, Brazil, China and Poland, and a production and research facility in Finland, the company offers solutions for the Baking, Beverage, Food Specialities, Textiles, Detergents and Pulp & Paper markets worldwide.

Topics of the keynote included the advantages of diversity within the context of the company’s fast growth – particularly with regard to innovation and customer intimacy – as well as raising awareness of cultural differences in external and internal cooperation. Thanks to an interactive and realistic presentation and choice of topic, the event was deemed a complete success by all participants.

Keynotes can also pose risks, however: a keynote presentation that bypasses the participants’ needs can very quickly jeopardise the mood of a meeting, and even bury the topic deep within the company. If you are planning a successful keynote for your next international meeting, we’d be glad to help!

Over the last two years, the number of requests for intercultures to give keynote speeches at international meetings has increased significantly. The advantages are clear: Even during a brief presentation, interests can be aroused and themes covered for which there is little time in daily business. Participants work together to address issues relating to differences and commonalities that are all too often ignored. These discussions create a closeness that is conducive to team development and a common identity. At the same time, an exciting topic adds welcome relief to the usual succession of PowerPoint presentations.

For AB Enzymes’ annual global sales meeting in Istanbul, intercultures was invited to introduce and establish the event’s theme “Building Bridges” with just such an interactive speech, since international sales requires intercultural competences: AB Enzymes’ sales managers originate from more than a dozen nations and are responsible for customers in over 50 countries.

On Istanbul’s European side: Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque

AB Enzymes is a global market leader in enzyme production. With its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, plus regional offices in the USA, Singapore, Brazil, China and Poland, and a production and research facility in Finland, the company offers solutions for the Baking, Beverage, Food Specialities, Textiles, Detergents and Pulp & Paper markets worldwide.

Posted in Projects with Customers | January 21st, 2011

No black and white thinking: our new WBTs

After two years of development work, here it is: from January 2011, intercultures is taking a further important step with its customers towards the sustainability of training measures. Following classroom training, web-based training (WBT) models are available for a total of 25 target cultures – completely free for all participants.

- Photo: Screenshot of introduction page for Japan -

Learning time for a basic module is approximately 45 minutes, and deepens and strengthens the learning contents about a particular aspect, e.g. “Negotiating” or “Managing personnel”. This is done in narrative style, leading participants through the topic in three episodes.

There is a particular focus on the careful differentiation of the situation. At the end of each episode, a choice of four answers or behaviour options is given, from which the most appropriate is to be selected, while under certain circumstances all others could also be suitable. In contrast and contrary to intercultural learning objectives, most similar products – particularly those from Anglo-Saxon countries – offer only “right” or “wrong” options. Instead of black and white, we have deliberately opted for the wealth of grey!

These episodes are supplemented by a quiz and a compendium of work practices in each culture, to be downloaded as a pdf file. Another option is the choice of a testing module, which could, for example, be used when a WBT is used in preparation for classroom training and its content is later applied “live” with the group of participants.

Five more free basic versions are planned for our customers before the end of 2011. Premium versions with five times the content of the basic versions are in development. These will be subject to a charge and while they might not serve to replace classroom training altogether, they will pass on extensive knowledge as stand-alone solutions. More information will be available in our next issue of “News”, where we will introduce the premium version “China” and its architects and authors.

To learn more about our WBTs, please contact Andrea Mendieta (link to mendieta@intercultures.de).

Photo: Screenshot of introduction page for Japan

To learn more about our WBTs, please contact Andrea Mendieta.

Posted in New Developments | January 21st, 2011

Bemvindos a Luanda!

Welcome to Luanda! Despite the warm welcome signs at the airport of Angola’s biggest city, it quickly becomes obvious to visitors from Western industrial nations that they are about to face challenges.

Luanda moves! (Photo: Manuela Sambo)

A deficient infrastructure, drastic gulf between rich and poor as well as omnipresent corruption turn a stay in the country into an often confusing and emotional experience.

Did you know that Luanda is one of the world’s most expensive cities, where a pizza in a restaurant costs up to €40, and a small rental apartment is hard to find for less than €4,000? In contrast to these sky-high prices, however, there is a second economic reality, which keeps the majority of the population on the breadline or below, and where pizza is not on the menu.

The gulf between these twin tracks of development increased again due to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, which was held in Angola, and has its origin in the country’s decades of paralysis through civil war and wars of independence. At the same time, Angola has regions that are among the world’s richest in raw materials. In addition to oil deposits, its rare metals are particularly sought after.

This combination of poor infrastructure and abundant natural resources attracts large numbers of foreign investors to the country. Thus the overpriced hotels are filled with representatives of Anglo-Saxon oil corporations while in the city’s south, Chinese building crews raise satellite towns for nearly a million inhabitants and build rail lines inland.

In this highly complex environment, it is essential for business travellers and expats to receive professional support. As economic interest has grown, so has the need for intercultural preparation and expertise with a focus on Angola. intercultures is the only German provider able to offer these both on the ground in Luanda as well as in Germany.

Our trainer Manuela Sambo is Angolan and for many years has been advising and accompanying German companies entering the market and during local negotiations. Because the majority of her family lives and works in Angola, she receives up-to-date insider information with regard to economics and politics. Thanks to many years living in Cottbus and Berlin, she fully appreciates and understands any queries or problems raised by business travellers and expats.

To learn more about intercultural support with regard to Angola: “Bemvindos!” (Link to contact page)

Luanda moves! (Photo: Manuela Sambo)

A deficient infrastructure, drastic gulf between rich and poor as well as omnipresent corruption turn a stay in the country into an often confusing and emotional experience.

To learn more about intercultural support with regard to Angola: “Bemvindos!”

Posted in Field Reports | January 21st, 2011

Measuring intercultural competence?

What is intercultural competence? How developed is it in me or my employees? What does this state of development mean for our international working processes?

- Photo: Screenshot SISA spider diagram -

These and similar questions frequently arise as soon as we start working globally. After years of research and validation work, and in cooperation with intercultures, Elisabeth Prechtl, PhD, has developed an instrument for the measurement of intercultural competence, which has been available online to corporate clients since January 2011. SISA (Scale for Intercultural Self-Analysis) differs from other models on the market due to its exceptional user-friendliness – it is self-explanatory and can be completed in about 15 minutes, thanks to the clarity of the model and its solid validity.

An additional feature is the model’s attractive pricing, which invites companies to carry out the analysis of large numbers of employees in order to derive targeted measures. In this context, intercultures offers blended learning formats, which we will introduce in more detail in our next edition of “News”. If you are curious about SISA, please contact Ms Sumaiah El-Said (Link to elsaid@intercultures.de).

What is intercultural competence? How developed is it in me or my employees? What does this state of development mean for our international working processes?

Screenshot SISA spider diagram

An additional feature is the model’s attractive pricing, which invites companies to carry out the analysis of large numbers of employees in order to derive targeted measures. In this context, intercultures offers blended learning formats, which we will introduce in more detail in our next edition of “News”. If you are curious about SISA, please contact Sumaiah El-Said.

Posted in New Developments | January 21st, 2011

Global Vision: Development and Implementation

In all honesty: Do you know and live your company’s values? What would need to happen for all employees to be led and motivated by them? Are you really using the potential that lies within its vision?

Diverse interests, common direction...

Development of vision is a turning point in the history of every organization. If it doesn’t succeed, values remain on paper and employees develop a cynical immunity to any further attempts to promote corporate identity. If it does succeed, it produces surges in motivation and development that will have a lasting positive influence on the organization. The successful development of vision is an effective change management instrument.

This process becomes even more challenging on an international level. For instance, what does “Customer focus” mean in the US, in Singapore or Germany? Does it mean being available 24/7? To what extent do we involve all international stakeholders when negotiating values and their resulting behavioral parameters? In what way should these values be linked with leadership behavior? How much culture-specific interpretation do we allow for subsidiaries?

We cordially invite you to discuss these and other exciting questions with the manager of our Global Change Consulting division, Drissia Schroeder-Hohenwarth. Your participation is free of charge, and the webinar takes place on November 18, 2010, at 2pm CET. We look forward to your registration!

Posted in Projects with Customers | October 8th, 2010