I lived in Russia, India, and China for three months figuring out how to structure companies in each market.
The countries have different business landscapes because of politics, economics, and social values. China values Guanxi (connections with people in power). Russia intertwines business and politics. India's businesses are linked with human rights. Kailash Satyarthi, the 2014 nobel peace prize winner talked with me about how manufacturers deceitful practices include child slavery. Despite challenges, I love each country and go back for work on a regular basis.
Today, I utilize my skill set to research business opportunities in emerging markets, develop international sales channels, and work with multinational teams.
Through this experience, I also had the priviledge of having dinner with Kailash Satyarthi, the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner. I saw the power business has to affect the livelihood of people and made it part of my goal to share this with others. I volunteer my time to educate others about how to adapt to new business cultures. I created a seminar course on intercultural communication for college students. Now, I use my awareness of communication styles to help mitigate misunderstandings among my teams.