How to Manage Teams Cross-Culturally

February 9, 2009

You can manage and lead cross-cultural teams better by recognizing that there is no perfect model in business and organization in cross-cultural context, learn to use both the “colonial” approach and the “cultural translator” approach, understanding the differences between low and high “power distance,” developing your unique team culture as a mosaic of various cultures represented, and maintaining the learner attitude.

Read the full article →

The Entire World Is Going Cross-Cultural… Are You Too?

February 9, 2009

I remember an academic advising session during my graduate school years. I was discussing with my adviser which courses to take next, which programs and concentrations best fit my academic and career objectives, etc. At that time I was in a program emphasizing cross-cultural studies, and I was beginning to wonder whether I should focus [...]

Read the full article →

My 5th Christmas in North Africa

December 24, 2008

First of all, I would like to wish all readers a very Merry Christmas.  Needless to say, today is Christmas Eve, and I would like to write a few words about the Christmas atmosphere in Morocco. This is my fifth Christmas in Morocco, and I’m getting used to the style – no carols, no extravagant [...]

Read the full article →

Do You Have an Acute Self-Awareness?

December 17, 2008

The business world has seen a tremendous increase in productivity over the recent years due to advances in technology. World-class businesses and organizations are continually improving their structures, systems, and management methodology. It’s a highly competitive world out there, and everyone is working hard to have even a slight edge that will get them over [...]

Read the full article →

Shame-based Cultures Are Full of Pitfalls

December 1, 2008

Different cultures can be categorized in different ways (and categories don’t always work).  One of them, even with its over-generalization and limitations, is to categorize them into shame-based cultures and guilt-based cultures.  Now, it’s probably impossible to define a particular culture as either shame-based or guilt-based because it more than likely includes a mixture of [...]

Read the full article →

What I Like and Dislike about the Month of Ramadan in Morocco

September 30, 2008

This year the month of September has coincided with Ramadan, the Islamic religious month of fasting (only during the day).  This is my fifth Ramadan while living in a Muslim country as an expat, and I’ve heard many comments from both Moroccans and foreigners about Ramadan.  Some Moroccan friends and neighbors suggested that I try [...]

Read the full article →

Consumerism Is Rising in Morocco

August 27, 2008

The most read post so far on this blog has been, somewhat unexpectedly, my piece on the real estate bubble in Morocco.  Maybe it shouldn’t have been such a surprise after all with big bucks flowing into this emerging housing market.  So, here’s a follow-up.  If you haven’t read my aforementioned post, follow this link [...]

Read the full article →

360-Degree Feedbacks Can Improve Multicultural Teams

August 18, 2008

Multicultural teams – teams that have members from several different cultures – are becoming very common in the global work setting. Many organizations recognize the great potential for such teams since diversity often engenders creativity and leads to innovations. But running diverse teams is not without pains. There are all kinds of communication, cultural value, and chemistry issues involved in multicultural teams. So what can you do to help such a team?

Read the full article →

Are Prayer Calls in Morocco Louder than Tourists?

August 11, 2008

There was a very interesting article by Associated Press (AP) in regard to call for prayer in the Morocco. [By the way, I need to explain that though this blog is not really intended to be just about Morocco, you get a heavy dose of posts written from and about the Moroccan context since I live [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →