Episode 1: What Americans Get Wrong: Global Business with Sonia Ghumman

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In this episode, Dr. Sonia Ghumman shares her insights on international business, cross-cultural challenges, and what it takes to succeed in a global market. We discuss how cultural differences impact leadership, communication, and negotiation, as well as how major companies like Apple and McDonald's adapt worldwide.

She also offers advice for young professionals entering the field and explores whether remote work is breaking down or reinforcing cultural barriers. If you're interested in global business and cultural intelligence, this episode is a must-listen!

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For this episode, we sat down with Dr. Sonia Ghumann, the Department Chair for Management and Industrial Relations at the College of Business, to explore the complexities of international business and cross-cultural management.

She begins by sharing her journey into the world of international business, explaining how her experiences working across different cultures sparked her interest in cross-cultural business. She defines international business and highlights its growing importance in an increasingly globalized world.

We then dive into the impact of cultural differences on business operations. She discusses how globalization has reshaped the way businesses function across countries and highlights the major challenges companies face when expanding internationally. Communication styles vary significantly between cultures, affecting everything from negotiations to leadership approaches. She provides real-world examples of how verbal language, body language, and expectations differ across cultures and how these factors shape business interactions.

As technology and remote work continue to change the business landscape, Dr. Sonia Ghumann explores whether cultural barriers are becoming less significant or simply evolving. She also examines how major companies like Apple, Tesla, and McDonald’s successfully adapt their strategies to different cultural contexts.

Finally, she shares insights into the most desired skills for young professionals interested in global business and offers her best advice for those looking to build a career in this field.

Listeners will leave this episode with a deeper understanding of the role cultural awareness plays in international business and insights for navigating cross-cultural business environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural differences shape business communication, leadership, and negotiations.

• Globalization presents both opportunities and challenges for companies operating internationally.

• Cultural competence is an essential skill for business leaders in today’s globalized economy.