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Cross-Cultural Compass2024-04-24T23:30:32+02:00

Cross-Cultural Compass

Your guide to the cultures of the world.

The cross-cultural compass is your window to most national cultures. On demand, any culture or set of cultures can be deepened in courses, coaching or presentations.

Book a tailor-made cross-cultural training to improve communication and cooperation beyond your borders.

Cross-cultural Kompass - Kulturkompass für die Weltkarte bei Intermedio

Cross-cultural compass: Scope and Contents

Just click on the hotspot of any country on the map. The compass gives a concise but succinct taste of cultures, and provides useful recommendations for collaboration in the workplace.

Cross-cultural compass: Contents.

In addition to the values, norms and some concise behavioral characteristics of the local population, we attach particular importance to the tips that expatriates or executives, e.g. from Europe, should heed. The culture compass provides valuable information about how people from the respective cultures tick. Due to the complexity of national cultures, a selection of central characteristics was made without claiming to be complete.

Cross-cultural compass: Our own glasses as an obstacle.

The awareness that we wear cultural glasses is a first step towards intercultural competence. German, Japanese and Russians are z. For example, French culture is hardly perceived in exactly the same way. It is therefore important that every observer is always aware of the values, norms and behavioral patterns of their own culture.

Culture versus Personality.

Our cross-cultural compass knows that that the description of national cultures does not apply 100% to all individuals of the country concerned. The individual personality of each person affected also plays an important role. However, the attitudes and behavior patterns briefly described are those that are (very) frequently expressed.

We speak of national cultures, knowing that the cultural boundaries between nations are not always equally sharp. However, Chinese culture, for example, has more in common with other Asian countries than with France or Great Britain. Even within the "nations" the culture is rarely uniform. Japan might be an exception. The example of France, on the other hand, shows clear differences between the Mediterranean region, Brittany and Alsace. An even clearer example of cultural diversity within a country can be found in the USA.

Cultural Dimensions of Hofstede.

The pages under the hotspots on the map above each contain a graphic that compares the cultural dimensions of the respective country with those of Switzerland. Here we have chosen the cultural dimension indices of the Hofstede Center. The indices measure the cultural dimensions on a scale from 0 to 100.

The PDI (Power Distance Index) is defined as the extent to which the less powerful people in a country typically accept an unequal distribution of power. Example: For the German-speaking Swiss (PDI = 34), an unequal distribution of power is much less acceptable than for the Chinese (PDI = 80).

The IDV (Individualism Index) has to do with whether people's self-image is defined in terms of "I" or "We", i.e. whether the individual or the community is in the foreground. E.g. Chinese (IDV= 20) are first identified as members of a group and behave accordingly. In the US (IDV = 91), the individual primarily takes care of himself.

A high index value (e.g. Japan = 95) in this dimension shows that society is determined by competition, performance and success. Success is determined by the winner / best-in field - A low index value (e.g. Sweden = 5), on the other hand, means that people attach more importance to social aspects and quality of life.

The UAI (Uncertainty Avoidance Index), assesses the extent to which members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unfamiliar situations, and have created beliefs and institutions designed to protect them from that threat. Examples:

  • High Uncertainty Avoidance: Germany (UAI = 65)
  • Deep Uncertainty Avoidance: Singapore (UAI=8).

Free initial consultation with our trainers.

Every team, every organization is unique. Through an initial consultation, we can focus on your needs.

Thats what our customers say

Dear Noureddine

Unfortunately, I only got around to sending you a big thank you for the great seminar today. My team was enthusiastic and we are trying to find solutions that can be incorporated into day-to-day business

I have advertised the seminar in our department and I hope that everyone will register for this seminar with their teams.

I wish you happy and relaxing holidays and hope to see you soon.

Best regards

Alex

Alexander Weiss, Head of Procurement SAP CC Retail - Federation of Migros Cooperatives

You have enriched our group with your fine, sovereign and careful manner and made a significant contribution to the fact that we were able to implement the first module at this altitude and in this quality.

I know from the participants that they really enjoyed being with you and were inspired and touched by you and your learning opportunities.

Yvo Wüest, Head of intercultural education, social integration

It was equally fascinating and pleasant to listen to you. In the evening I was touched for a long time by the mutually loving way you made your presentation. You gave each other space and complemented each other well - a noticeably harmonious team of two people, both of whom have exciting and rich professional experience

Hansmartin Binder

Nourredine Yous is a skillful negotiator who consistently manages to guide all satisfactory solutions. He manages conflicts successfully due to his great knowledge of human nature, his ability to empathize and his intercultural competence. The needs of its customers are always the focus. As an "ambassador" of our company at home and abroad, he is very much appreciated.

Ivo Bieri, Member of the Managing Committee of SIX Financial Information

Thank you again for dedicating your time to our problems. I sincerely admire the way you handled the situation with a lot of diplomacy, raised awareness of the real problems and, most importantly, guided us to common solutions.

Nassera Dutour, President of the Committee des Families de Disparus en Algérie

The cooperation workshop with our service partner was a complete success, thanks in particular to Franziska's targeted, professional moderation.

Daniel Koller, Head of M Retail

Many thanks for the insight into your lessons, which seemed like a good start to the day. You took the participants and their experiences as a starting point.

Rolf Meyer, Course manager DAS education management

"The team building seminar was a very exciting experience and the whole day was fun. Nourredine made the workshop very varied. Thanks very much! !"

Tatziana d’Elia, Team member, Federation of Migros Cooperatives

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Our blog articles mainly deal with topics related to the world of work such as organizational culture, intercultural cooperation and health in the workplace. We value your comments.

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