What Germany can learn from Asian pragmatism
Standing in front of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, I can’t help but wonder: What can Germany learn from Asia, and from Malaysia in particular? I first visited Kuala Lumpur almost 25 years ago. I’ve returned many times since then. On my most recent trip I felt inspired to reflect on the following: Although […]
Learning from the world’s oldest teachers
9 August is the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Some of the world’s most advanced knowledge systems have been refined over millennia and are deeply rooted in ancient traditions. These time-tested wisdoms offer insights that modern science is only just beginning to understand and appreciate. Guardians of the wetlands The Apatani […]
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit …” But have you ever really tasted what that means? Depending on where you are in the world, the same tomato tastes vastly different. In Singaporean hawker food, it’s sweet sauce over noodles.In a Thai salad, it’s sweetness with fiery chili.In India, it’s a basis for […]
Home is a feeling and time has turns
Interview with Linda Ezzeddine, Investment and Immigration Consultant, Managing Partner at Athenian Portal Linda, please share a bit about your background and who you are. I was born in Senegal, grew up in Ivory Coast and later in Lebanon. I studied translation in Lebanon. I love exploring new places and cultures. I believe that my […]
Find your Why… as a Nomadic Entrepreneur
Interview with Melissa Ng – Founder of Melewi, Product Design Strategist, Nomadic Entrepreneur Melissa, please share a bit about your background and who you are. My name’s Melissa Ng, originally from Singapore. I’ve spent the last 8 years travelling and working – of which the last 6 years on my business Melewi, which is a location-independent […]
If you want to go fast, go the old road
Interview with Tobias Esche, Travel Guide Book author on Myanmar and Thailand (forthcoming), Travel agency owner in Myanmar and Thailand Tobias, please share a bit about your background and who you are. I was born in Berlin in 1979, at a time when my grandparents were in their last year at their diplomatic posts in […]
Leadership is about integrating opposites
I’ve created a short video teaser with some highlights from my recent interview with Prof. Fons Trompenaars, the acclaimed management guru and author of the classic book »Riding the Waves of Culture«. Fons Trompenaars is well-known throughout the world for his ground-breaking work on the subject of management across cultures and business transformation. In his […]
Nunu – The most meaningful name in the world
Javier, please share with us a bit about your background and who you are. Michele is a graphic designer among many other things, she paints, draws, and she loves restoring and recycling things. I was a banking lawyer, but now I only work in the hotel and spend time with my family. I am retired […]
My office is not constrained by borders
Interview with Julie MacArthur, MacArthur Productions, Digital Nomad 7 questions about her experiences and insights as a digital nomad Julie, you have »Digital Nomad« in your LinkedIn title. What does the term actually mean to you? How would you define it? The term to me, means a person that does not actually have a permanent […]
7 questions to Lothar Katz, Leadership Crossroads
1/ In 2006 you published your first book Negotiating International Business which took you 1.5 years to complete. Tell us how you have tackled the massive task of compiling data for 50 countries. My personal experience from countless business interactions around the world was a useful starting point – but not nearly enough. I began […]
Why German companies need to become more colorful, multicultural and diverse
Highly qualified people go where they find excellent development opportunities and the best quality of life. A study by the Boston Consulting Group reveals that there will be a shortage of more than 6 million skilled professionals in Germany alone by 2030. This labor shortage forecast applies to many other countries too. The demand puts businesses […]
Merry Christmas or Season’s Greetings?
We live in a wonderful world of diversity and every day is sacred for someone, somewhere. In November, December and January alone there are over 20 festivals and holidays observed by the world’s major religions. Christmas is important for many people, however, it is merely one festival among many others. Let’s keep in mind, that […]
Interview with Pedro Custódio – User Experience Strategist
Pedro, you have spent the last 6 years working and living in Germany and you were responsible for user experience design at Vodafone. Tell us a bit how you have created this job opportunity. What led to your decision to move to Germany? I studied computer science, more exactly I studied Artificial Intelligence, maybe because […]
How to decode messages with the Lasswell formula
Most people remember Harold Lasswell for the phrase: »Who says what in which channel to whom with what effect?« But who was Lasswell? What kind of man was he and what influenced his thinking? What lessons can be learned from his ideas? Lasswell was a communication expert who studied power relations and behaviour in society. […]
Film – 100 years ago
100 years ago films were products with temporary commercial value. Original film prints started to disintegrate as early as the 1920s and production companies did little to ensure its preservation. So most films of this time period have turned into dust. But sometimes miracles still do happen. Why should we care about films? For 12 […]
3 keys to more effectiveness in German business culture
Products Made in Germany enjoy an excellent reputation around the globe. According to a recent article by Deutsche Welle German exports hit record high in 2014 with a 3.7% increase compared to 2013. So there are many good reasons to do business with Germans. But what do potential business partners need to know? Here are […]
Why do businesses go international?
A simple answer is – businesses go global to grow long-term and to become more self-sufficient. Selling services and products in several countries helps reducing the exposure to economic stagnation or decline in domestic demand. So global-minded businesses minimise their dependence on their home market. Here are three impulses and considerations for businesses to go […]
The untold story of Santa Claus
The story of Santa Claus began in the 3rd century with a bishop named Saint Nicholas. He was born in the town of Patara in the present day Antalya Province of Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his love of humanity and generosity. He wandered around to help those in need and gave away all […]