Gain a competitive advantage, increase profits, and improve your human footprint by developing a global mindset. 

Emerging economies are becoming a major channel for new customers and investors, as well as employees. To compete and differentiate themselves in varying and new environments companies and their workforce have to develop a global mindset. Cultural sensitivity and the capacity to collaborate on global assignments is an important step to evolving as a leader, but it must be backed up by a commitment to develop a corporate culture that considers the needs stakeholders around the world.

Developing a global mindset is also crucial for understanding that today's incoming workforce cares about making money and being individually successful, but they also care about the world. Concepts such as global corporate citizenship will become more important and companies will need to consider the footprint of their businesses in the communities in which they operate.  

3 Steps to Global Corporate Social Responsibility

1) Look for charities which support the global communities in which your company operates.

2) Ask the local workforce what pressures their communities face and if there's something the company can do to help.

3) Form a task force to assess the quality of the work environment, analyze findings, and begin to change the culture as needed.

For more ideas and help with your Global Strategy, contact us! 

An egalitarian management style is widely known as one of the most important aspects to Swedish business culture. They seek consensus and managers are seen more as facilitators or coaches who offer advice and suggestions, not as the final authority.  

One result of this approach is that decisions can be hard to reach and the process (i.e. a meeting) tends to be drawn out. It is dangerous to try to circumvent this process, however, quick, unilateral decisions are unlikely to be respected or adhered to.

Six Tips for Working with Swedish Business Partners:

1. Absolute need for punctuality. Don't be late in Sweden if you want to maintain a professional image.
2. Dress tends towards smart-casual in Swedish business life. If travelling in winter be sure to be warmly dressed.
3. Different from India, Swedes expect to be allowed to perform their allotted tasks without interaction.
4. 'Buy-in' from others is central to the Swedish approach.
5. Delegates are expected to arrive well-prepared for meetings. Agendas are often used and adhered to.
6. Swedes put business needs before personal relationship (with business partners).

CONTACT:

Melissa Lamson

Lamson Consulting LLC

www.lamsonconsulting.com

melissa.lamson@lamsonconsulting.com

tel: +1.650.283.2765

Don Cheadle's fight against genocide  

Film star and lead in the new tv series, House of Lies, Don Cheadle  co-founded an organization, Not On Our Watch. Along with board member John Prendergast, Cheadle and other stars bring awareness and action against human atrocities around the world. 

Humanity pays a price for technology 

Last year American monologist Mike Daisey, a huge fan of Apple Products, criticized the way they and other Silicon Valley companies produced products in China. The results of his outspokenness were astounding... 

Today, Apple takes a stand against harmful production methods: 

1.Increased transparency

For the first time Apple released a list of suppliers comprising 97% of its supply chain expenditures. These suppliers can be independently watched and a company's audit reports can be cross checked. 

2. Improved working conditions

Apple joined the Fair Labor Association, a multi-stakeholder initiative working to improve labor conditions and workers' rights. It will be the first technology company alongside other members like H&M, Nike and Adidas.

 Modern French women no longer want to be called Mademoiselle.