In this deep-dive article, we share insights from Pixida Co-founder & CEO Iota Dimou and Managing Director Johann Neubauer on the steps you can take to successfully open new offices abroad.
In this article...
Read time: 3 minutes
One of the biggest challenges of international expansion is effective cross-cultural integration.
It's a challenge that leads many consultancies to return from a foreign country with their tails between their legs and a few million euros lighter.
In a recent conversation with Pixida CEO & Co-Founder Iota Dimou and Managing Director Johann Neubauer at the 2023 LEADERS IN CONSULTING Conference, they explained how they integrated cultures from their offices in Germany, Brazil, China, Portugal, and the U.S. into their worldwide company culture.
The power of language as a unifying force cannot be underestimated in international business. Before you can expand to new territories, you need to establish a universal language that enables, fast, efficient, and effective communication.
To create an environment conducive to cross-cultural understanding, consider the following steps:
One of the secrets to integrating diverse cultures into a unified global company is encouraging collaboration. At Pixida, they're constantly searching for opportunities to bring cultures together with in-person events, knowledge sharing, parties, and more.
"We do a lot of sessions to come together to collaborate, to build, and to bond all of these cultures together."
Events and parties are not just about fun and games; they're a strategic tool for fostering unity.
To foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing:
Selecting local CEOs who understand both the native and company culture can create a seamless cultural blend. Whenever Pixida expands to a new territory, they hire local managers and CEOs who understand both the company culture and the local culture.
They also actively coerce different cultures to collaborate on projects, which helps to define and enforce the overarching company culture.
"We intentionally have joint projects and joint touchpoints. This helps a lot to define the common grounds for everyone."
Here's how to harness the power of local leadership and joint projects:
A successful global company appreciates and incorporates the cultural differences that make each territory unique.
This practice creates an environment where diversity is celebrated, contributing to a strong, united global company culture.
To incorporate and celebrate cultural differences:
Failing to integrate and embrace different cultures as you expand to new territories is a leading reason for failure.
But by leveraging language, fostering collaboration, embracing local leadership, utilizing shared experiences, and celebrating cultural differences you can turn a challenge into a huge business asset.
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