For ten years, I have been attending the JTCA symposium, a leading conference for technical communication in East Asia held in Japan. Over the years I have learned that many managers of technical communication departments of Korean and Japanese organizations share a common concern: How to find qualified technical writers.read more...

There once was an American businessman who was scheduled to visit his company’s Japanese subsidiary for a series of meetings. To prepare for the trip, he read about Japanese culture and customs, and even learned a few basic words of the language. He hired a consultant who taught him the proper way to greet his Japanese hosts, how to exchange business cards, how to eat with chopsticks, and more. read more...

An inspirational Indian leader of the 19th century provides modern managers with food for thought and stimulating management guidelines of a different type.read more...

A long time ago, in a forgotten era, a weary traveler on a horseback trudged along a path in southern India, looking for comfort and food. The road was barren and lonely until he came across an old lady with kind eyes, who looked like she had a morsel or two on her. Being of a generous nature, she gave a handful of boiled beans to the statesman, who is credited to have named the place that we now...read more...

Major cultural and linguistic differences hamper translation of Japanese documents into English and other European languages. But in every challenge lies an opportunity. Improving Japanese documents to facilitate translation offers a unique insight into the distinct characteristics of these diverse languages. read more...

Who wouldn’t enjoy a joke at the beginning of a presentation to ease you into the topic – however complex it might be? Well, there are actually a few cultures that would prefer to stick to facts and figures. So, how can you adjust your presentation to appeal to an international audience?read more...

Sweden is known for its music industry, its engineering products and – more recently – for its video gaming industry. If you are heading north for your next business trip, consider these cultural insights.read more...