Cultural Intelligence: The Ultimate Success Imperative

Traveling abroad is a nightmare for some executives. It should not be. Not knowing what to expect from the people you meet or how to relate to them creates unnecessary communication barriers. For an average executive, the eye becomes keener and the ear sharper the moment they board the plane. They will pick up all kinds of clues associated with their business. They cannot allow cultural ignorance to put scarce business opportunities at risk. Therefore understanding the culture of the people with whom they are doing business is a critical skill for they cannot afford not to learn. Without this knowledge, a successful outcome to the business venture can be uncertain. And uncertainty is something executives would rather not have.

This site is design to be an invaluable resource to all those planning to do business in Southern Africa. It will equip you with everything you need to forge important relations and assist you in understanding the critical importance of working in and with other cultures in Southern Africa.

Africa, contrary to historical writings inspired by ignorance, is inhabited by friendly people. They love life and they want to share it with other people. But people who visit them take advantage of their hospitality and generosity. Up until the end of the last century they would take the abuse quietly.

It is no surprise then that to successfully build profitable realtionships, you have learn how to apply tools of human interaction that work in African cultural context.

Learning the skills of proper etiquette, manners, and intercultural communication on this website will give you a wealth of information and resources that you can immediately apply during your international business travels and overseas assignments. Begin with this self test:

1. Am I judgmental?
   The most important factor in working in another country on an international assignment is your ability to accept and work within the culture, customs, beliefs, and attitudes of that country.
   
   The majority of successful business executives achieve their success through a strong personality and making decisions based on their personal background and experience.
   
   However, when moving to a Southern African country, the executive is placed in a new environment where his or her background has little relationship to their new surroundings. The first reaction is frequently to 'take control' of the situation and apply that strong personality. Nothing could be worse!
   
   The easiest way to be successful in a Southern African business environment is through relationships that encourage the local counterparts to cooperate with the foreign executive; promise them a piece of the action and follow through.
2. Do I enjoy people, or am I more task oriented?
   As an executive in a Southern African country, your primary job is certainly to accomplish the corporate goals and objectives.
   
   However, in any one of the Southern African countries, the most important aspect of life is the support of the community, the people, the family. Unless there is a clear understanding of the motivations of employees, the executive may create animosity and jeopardize the productivity of the company's operation.
   
   It is strongly recommended to learn everything possible about the culture you are potentially going into. A great place to start is with a detailed review of the profiles on this site.
3. Am I flexible and welcome change?
   Dealing with the unexpected is common in many countries, and can be especially challenging for U.S. exectuives who go overseas, since they are more accustomed to a relatively stabile business regulatory environment.
   
   The involvement of governments and politics in business is not unusual in some countries in Southern Africa.
   
   The ability to be open to unexpected situations and challenges, some of which may be uncontrollable, is another important attribute for the international executive.
4. How willing am I to take risks?
   The world has become a more risky place for certain nationalities. In particular, citizens of the United States are considered legitimate targets by many international terrorist groups.
   
   While the chance of being injured by a terrorist act is very small, anti-American attitudes in many countries, including those that have been close allies, can make for a psychologically hostile and unhappy working and social environment. Southern African governments, however, have worked collaboratively with the USA and its allies in the fight against terrorism. It is unlikely that you will be attacked for being an American. Southern Africa is home to many different nationalities most of them from the European Union. You have to work extra hard to sell yourself off as an American.

This site is recommended and used by college professors to teach their business school students the importance of understanding the uniqueness of cultures around the world and how to apply the skills of cultural understanding to become more successful in the global business environment.