Culture

Cultural Intelligence: The Key to Success in International Business

Author: Nouraldin Ashour, BBA International Business and Economics

In today’s interconnected global economy, cultural intelligence (CQ) is becoming as essential as
financial knowledge for success in international business. Cultural intelligence refers to the ability to
adapt, work, and communicate effectively across cultures.

Whether a company is entering a new market, negotiating with foreign partners, or managing a multicultural team, understanding and respecting cultural norms can make the difference between success and failure.

Global trade is not just about moving goods—it’s about building trust and relationships. A handshake in one country may be replaced by a bow in another; direct communication in one culture may be perceived as rude in another.

Businesses that invest in cultural awareness reduce misunderstandings, strengthen partnerships, and gain
a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Some ways to enhance cultural intelligence in international business include: – Learn local customs and business etiquette
before engaging in negotiations. – Adapt communication styles to suit cultural preferences, whether high-context or low-context. – Embrace diversity within the company to reflect global perspectives. – Invest in language skills to improve clarity and build rapport. In an era where borders are increasingly blurred by technology and trade agreements, cultural intelligence is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity.

By James Cutright, ago

Keeping it Cool: How to Manage Work, Study, and a Social Life.

Author: Shekoni Nimotalahi, BSc Computer Science.

1.Being a full-time student and practically a full-time intern leaves my weekdays packed and my weekends are spent resetting for a new week, which includes more work like chores, grocery shopping and the likes.

2. As much as I love writing codes and creating reports at work, some days I sit at my desk, home and office, staring out the window and dreaming of a week on the beach, pina colada in one hand and scrolling TikTok in the other or even just a chill weekend with friends, having fun and not thinking about my python code I must debug.

3. Not being able to relax and unwind or even constantly having that feeling of longing can lead to a decrease in productivity, increased stress and fatigue, and a higher risk of burnout. It can also negatively impact mental and physical health, as well as job satisfaction and motivation. Eventually, one feels like they can’t even excel at the simplest of tasks.

4. This is where the term work-life balance comes into play. Here, I will be assisting you on ways to find a balance that keeps you feeling productive and yet you still have that much desired break and keeps that smile on your face. First things first, prioritize tasks, focus on the most important tasks first to use your time efficiently and always take break between tasks which help to refresh your mind. Next, set clear boundaries, define specific work hours and stick to them to avoid work spilling into your personal time, I know most time we want to be seen as the best at things but also remember that you can’t do everything. One of my favourite things to absolutely do is travel and explore but because of timing and schedule I can’t do that so often. So, I plan ahead of time, two months for major trips and maybe two weeks for weekend trips, that way I have something to look forward to, some form of motivation. Balancing work, study, and social life is all about managing time and energy wisely, use of tools and apps like calendars, to-dos and reminders can help in keeping your schedule balanced, Planning time with friends and family, somewhat like work appointments, can also help in ensuring you keep up with the people you care about.

5. Social life is much more than just friends and family, it is also you. Find something you like to do that can fit into your daily scheduling that would not feel like a task. My favourite time of the day is the 2 hours I get to spend at the gym, and on weekends I like to bake the most random recipes for myself, no pressure at all just me, my music and the chaos of the kitchen.

Life can seem so overwhelming when you think about your goals and how you want your life to go, but I’d say get out of the bubble which is your mind and start focusing on what is important…YOU, cause in the end it all boils down to you. Remember , Take care of yourself.

By James Cutright, ago
woman closing her eyes

LOVE IN THE HAIR

Author: Etieno Udoh, BCom, Commerce and Marketing.

To commemorate this year black history month I will be taking you through how I care for my afro-textured hair.

Afro is a hair type and hair style that is grown naturally by people of the black community.

Hair just like any other thing has factors that play in enabling it to grow. These factors include but are not limited to genetics ,diet, weather and so on. Regardless, it all boils down to knowing your hair type and what works for it.

Being a black girl and growing up with an afro-textured hair hasn’t always been all rainbow and sunshine, the struggles were real.

As a young girl I remember always wanting to relax my hair because of how painful it was and how much I cried through the process. Fast forward years later when I was done with my secondary school, natural hair had become a trend so I hopped on the trend, with zero knowledge about it .

To commemorate this year black history month I will be taking your through how I care for my afro textured hair.

smiling woman standing near plant

Afro is a hair type and hair style that is grown naturally by people of the black community.

Hair just like any other thing has factors that play in enabling it to grow. These factors include but are not limited to genetics ,diet, weather and so on. Regardless, it all boils down to knowing your hair type and what works for it.

Being a black girl and growing up with an afro-textured hair hasn’t always been all rainbow and sunshine, the struggles were real.

As a young girl I remember always wanting to relax my hair because of how painful it was and how much I cried through the process. Fast forward years later when I was done with my secondary school, natural hair had become a trend so I hopped on the trend, with zero knowledge about it .

When I decided to start my hair love journey, I had to do my own research. Why does it take so much time? Why are my curls so tight? Why do I have so much shrinkage? etc, are some of the questions I researched.

After my extensive research, I concluded that I have a 4c hair type, low porosity, thick strands and high density hair. I have been on my natural hair journey for a few years and honestly I am still trying to find my foot around it, having coloured, cut, and styled my hair in endless ways to figure out it’s full potential. It definitely has been a journey and I am loving every part of it.

The 4c hair type is usually termed problematic, unkept, ugly, untamed, and unpolished. Over time our beautiful nappy curls have become accepted and well represented. I will be taking you on tips on how I maintain my 4c hair types.

I try to keep my hair routine very simple, as it is said less is more.

Moisture: My hair is always dry, so I try to moisturise it with water before styling it to avoid any breakage.

Protective styling: A protective hair style is a black girl’s best friend, it prevents the hair from breakage and tangling, my personal favourite is cornrows. you can also have your hair done in twists and bantu knots they also protect your hair.

Trim dead ends: Trimming your split ends helps retain length for your hair. I try to trim my hair once a year cause if done too much it can cause hair loss.

Wash days: It is greatly advised to set a day aside to wash your hair because the washing process could be tedious. Also having a simple hair wash routine helps a whole lot, because you would not want to put your hair through undue stress as it might lead to breakage. I try to follow my wash days religiously.

Others include; going easy with heated tools, following up your hair treatment frequently, choosing the right shampoo and conditioner, and finally finding a good hairstylist who can handle your hair.

Afro hair can be overwhelming but find out what’s works for you, love your hair, don’t compare your hair journey with others and be prepared for the bad hair days.

By James Cutright, ago
food photography of food and wine bottles on table inside boat

The Relation Between Food, traveling, and culture

Author: Areej Alsobh, PhD Food Engineering.

Food and cuisine are an integral part of the culture of any country. And as we know food has evolved from the time when humans hunted and foraged for food to today, where exploring and experiencing local cuisine is a major part of our trips. Where these days we see entire tomes and TV series, dedicated to food and travel for those people who seek to explore and experience different cultures through travel. Today, there are many countries whose name is associated with the dish in which they are famous. We can not mention Italy without mentioning pizza and pasta dishes, or France without mentioning the delicious varieties of chees, and we feel that we can smell croissant.

According to my experience, after I move from my country to Hungary I found out the difference in food and cooking between our Arab countries and this European country. In the Arab country and Asia in general, we rely on bulgur and rice in our meals in addition to meat, which is often fresh. Also, we eat cooked vegetables and our meals can be made of vegetables only without meat, this is something you rarely notice in Hungary and most of Hungarians do not consider the food as good food without meat. There is also a difference in the spices used, we tend to use cumin, mint, and cloves, While they use more basil, dill and they use a lot of red pepper.

In summary, if you visit Hungary you should try Gulyásleves which is prepared with meat, traditionally beef, that is simmered in a rich paprika-infused broth, usually alongside onions, bell peppers, root vegetables, various spices, and occasionally tomatoes, Gyümölcsleves which is cold fruit soups, halászlé it is fish soup, and you can try paprikash, lecsó.

If we talk about other European countries, and because I did not visit most of them, I asked some of my friends about their experience with the food there, and one of them told me that the best thing you can try in  Poland is  Pierogi which are filled dumplings, made with unleavened dough, they are usually filled with savory fillings including minced meat, potato and sometimes cheese, before being cooked in boiling water. While in Portugal you should try the Portuguese sandwich which originates from Porto and combines bread and a meat filling (typically wet-cured ham, fresh sausage, steak, or roast meat), before smothering it with melted cheese and a tomato and beer sauce and serving it up with a side of french fries. In Turkey try gözleme which is a rolled flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients before it is cooked over a hot griddle. Typical fillings include minced meat or spinach and feta. While in Sweden try (Swedish) Meatballs, in  Bosnia & Herzegovina you should try Ćevapi .

It is interesting to see how the world can be explored and open to people through their food and serving habits. Also, trying new food can show or be seen as a sign of respect for the culture you’re being introduced to, although sometimes this food may be out of your comfort zone, it is necessary to try because without trying you can not enjoy or gain a great experience/

By James Cutright, ago
high rise buildings

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Author: Othman Abdulaziz, BSc Commerce and Marketing.

Being the target of much debate, organizational culture has occupied a prominent position in multidisciplinary publications since the early 1980s and yes organizational culture does exist, although it may seem simplistic, it took years of research and theory to conclude that organizational culture exists.

Firstly what is organizational culture:

An organization’s culture defines the proper way to behave within the organization which consists of shared beliefs and values established by leaders and then communicated and reinforced through various methods ultimately shaping employee perceptions, behaviours and understanding.

A core tenet regarding organizational culture is the group nature of the concept that has been used to properly distinguish organizational culture from other similar constructs and to differentiate methods from previous work in organizational climate. Ultimately organisational culture is enforced as we to maintain a structural and healthy work balance within an organisation to promote communication from different channels within an environment.

By James Cutright, ago
etiquette

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Author: Ahmad Sulaiman, BBA Business Administration and Management.

An individual’s behavior and expectations within a place of business are governed by business etiquette. It entails treating bosses and coworkers with decency and respect in a way that makes the workplace enjoyable for everyone. Establishes trust, fosters a pleasant environment, exudes confidence, and avoids misunderstandings. It is a crucial component of creating a successful company. Some good business etiquettes are listed below;

Leave your personal affairs at the front door, be respectful of your coworkers’ experience and knowledge, and ask for advice on how to interact with coworkers, superiors, and clients. Meet deadlines for work assignments. Make a good impression on your boss. You’ll get a promotion and more opportunities if you assist the organization in achieving its objectives. Never bypass your head supervisor without consulting them first. Try to project a professional image. Being clean and well-groomed is crucial.  Adopt a positive outlook. People with a creative streak and an open mind are valuable. Be adaptable. You establish a reputation as an accommodating employee by being adaptable and implementing change.

In conclusion, good business manners help a company present its best side and can shield its owners and employees from internal and external conflicts by establishing high standards for everyone’s conduct. Business etiquette is a set of rules for conduct that encourages people to treat others with respect and act politely at all times. The secret to growing your career is having good business manners. Good business manners demonstrate respect for one’s position, job, and coworkers as well as a serious commitment to performance.

By James Cutright, ago

How to learn Norwegian while building skills for the workplace

Norway Today Published.

Navigating Norway’s job market can be tough

The Norwegian job market has always been competitive… So, what does it take to get noticed and selected among thousands of applicants – and land your dream job or get a promotion in Norway?

How can an international citizen navigate through the codes and ethics of the Norwegian workplace? How should one adjust their CV and application to the Norwegian standards? What’s the appropriate tone of communication or even… The dress code?!

Finding the answers to these questions – and many more – can be made much easier by getting a grasp of the Norwegian language – and culture. After all, learning the language is vital, but without proper and comprehensive guidance, there’s only so much you can do to be noticed.

Success is far from impossible – especially with the right assistance

There are many factors to take into account when trying to maximize your chances of success within Norway’s job market.

These include communication skills in Norwegian, confidence when holding presentations, and the ability to negotiate in the employer’s language.

Networking is key in Norway, along with making connections and friends. Having good relationships in the workplace overall is important; for example, being in good standing with your employers – who can give you a good reference letter for other jobs down the line – will take you far. Through conversation, socializing, and networking, advancing on your career path will no longer seem like a mirage.

To read full article: Click here

By James Cutright, ago