In today’s highly globalised world, businesses are increasingly exposed to working with people from different cultures, whether they be colleagues, customers, clients or suppliers.
Understanding cultural differences and being able to communicate effectively across borders has a significant impact on your company’s prospects for international success.
Join Ashurst in partnership with Dearin & Associates’ team of cross-cultural experts as they share their experiences working with cross-border teams in emerging markets:
Cynthia Dearin, Moderator and Middle East and North Africa Expert
Cynthia Dearin is an author, keynote speaker and communications expert.
She is the Managing Director of Dearin & Associates, an international business consultancy that specializes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The firm helps companies to enter international markets, and provides cross-cultural coaching to companies throughout Australia.
Before founding the company, Cynthia worked extensively internationally, as a management consultant and Australian diplomat. She is proficient in Arabic and French.
In 2015 she released her first book, Camels, Sheikhs and Billionaires: Your Guide to Business Culture in the Middle East and North Africa.
Michael Lee, South East Asia Expert
Michael is the CEO of Global Management Strategic Focus Pty Ltd specialising in business advisory, commercial negotiations, acquisitions, divestments and business turnaround.
He is an Advisory Councillor of the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and a Councillor/Treasurer of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA). He was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Zip Industries Group, and was instrumental in establishing and growing the business in New Zealand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Barnaby Caddy, Indonesia Expert
Barnaby has worked for 15 years in international affairs, with particular expertise in Indonesia.
Barnaby studied Indonesian language, politics and culture at university, including semesters in West Timor and Lombok. He started his career with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence, and later managed international development assistance programs on behalf of government, the United Nations, international NGOs and private consultancy firms. As a fluent Bahasa Indonesia speaker, Barnaby brings a deep knowledge of Indonesian culture to his cross-cultural consulting work. Barnaby’s cross-cultural experience has also been developed through living and working in diverse cultures across South East Asia, Liberia, and North Korea where he recently worked as a consultant to the United Nations.
Pouyan Afshar, Iran Expert
Pouyan specialises in providing advice on doing business in Iran.
He has a deep understanding of Iranian culture and commerce practices having been Iranian born and raised and having worked extensively with Iranian businesses both in Iran and abroad. As a lawyer, he brings experience in strategic planning and of operating in the Iranian business and legal environment. As the principal of Caspian Capital, he focuses on assisting businesses wishing to invest or deploy in Iran in the energy, agricultural, financial services and technology industries.
David Collins, China Expert
David Collins has a broad background and experience in Chinese culture and doing business in China.
He completed a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) Majoring in Chinese Language and Culture at UTS and was the first and only student in his year group to select Shanghai, China as his in-country studies destination. During David’s six and half years in Shanghai he achieved fluency in Mandarin as well as operated a wholly owned foreign enterprise.
In 2008, David established his own business that serviced clients such as KPMG Greater China, the University of Michigan and Dash Brands. David grew his business, Inhouse Web, to a contingent of 12 full-time staff including 6 foreign employees. David has also been an active participant in a Chinese community organization for 19 years and is married to a Chinese National. In May 2013, David returned to Australia where he worked with EY’s Digital/IT performance improvement team and is now CEO of Toowards a digital business within the Lonsec Fiscal Group of companies.
[maxbutton id=”14″]
