Today, work crosses time zones and national borders. Multicultural management is as big if not a bigger challenge than managing a multi-generational workforce. Creating a corporate structure that acknowledges and celebrates differences across borders might be a strategic competitive advantage. "It is still amazing how reluctant leaders are to tackle the whole issue of intercultural realities of their organization. Deep inside, most very well understand that it is a very important, if not the most important process in their organization. Look at most research of failed M&As," says Dr. Fons Trompenaars, named as one of the 50 most influential management thinkers. His point is that culture matters. And that most mergers fail because of lack of synergy and mismatches in cultures.
Dr. Trompenaars with his partner Charles Hampden-Turner developed a model of culture with seven dimensions. The dimensions are:
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Universalism vs. particularism
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Individualism vs. collectivism
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Neural vs. emotional
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Specific vs. diffuse
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Achievement vs. ascription
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Sequential vs. synchronic
- Internal vs. external control
Hear Dr. Trompenaars discuss his views of diversity and cultural awareness at the Contingent Workforce Strategies Summit -- Europe. The CWS Summit -- Europe will be held in London, 4-5 November 2010 at the Park Plaza Riverbank. For more information about the conference, go to
www.cwssummitwe.eu.
