Intelligent CXO Issue 51 | Page 43

FEATURE
3. Foster employee independent learning
For a global company, with employees spread out across the globe and interacting with customers from various countries, it can be difficult for network and training groups to really make a difference. To make a significant impact, employees need to be empowered to take ownership of their cultural learning. Companies should facilitate this by offering access to hands-on learning experiences and pointing employees towards third-party resources that provide further information. By offering staff the right tools, knowledge and networks, companies can empower them to understand and navigate cultural differences proactively, enabling them to respond appropriately in any situation.
Shaping a culture without borders
In today’ s increasingly interconnected world, organisations must make a deliberate effort to incorporate diversity at every level, particularly when expanding internationally. Achieving global success means not only committing to diversity initiatives but also following them through. They need a global mentality embedded into core operations, culture and decision-making processes.
As new generations enter the workplace, the lines between different cultures continue to blur. Now, more than ever, employees can pick up nuances from one another, learn to collaborate better and adapt even faster. Businesses should capitalise on this shift, and by using these three steps as a starting point, they can begin their journey towards international expansion. Culture will only continue to shift, so businesses should ensure their internal culture is malleable and can embrace societal changes in existing markets and new international territories. Businesses that fail to develop cultural understanding will fall behind those that can, impeding their ability to foster trust and longterm success in diverse markets. x www. intelligentcxo. com
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