Developing Global Awareness  

An awareness of the cultural, political and historical issues that separate different parts of the world is important for personal development. The opportunities for those who are prepared to learn and open their minds to the rest of the world are almost limitless. Any businessperson who is interested in competing internationally needs to increase their understanding of foreign markets and the way they operate.

To be a globally aware person, you need to have a tolerance of cultural differences and a good understanding of the history, economy, politics and social trends of different countries around the world. You can then use this knowledge to work out the market potential that each nation holds.

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view your own culture as superior to that of others. The self-reference criterion is the tendency to sub-consciously judge other people by your own standards and values. You need to be acutely aware of these factors and the impact that they could have on your behaviour when working internationally.

A tolerance for cultural differences is the key for anyone who wishes to conduct business outside of their home nation. Cultural tolerance is about accepting that other people have different ways of doing things that aren't necessarily better or worse than yours. The best way to increase your cultural awareness is by going out and visiting different cultures or by working with people from different backgrounds. You may not agree with the way other people conduct business, but you need to be acknowledge their right to behave differently.

To improve your global awareness, you should also aim to improve your knowledge about the history of different countries around the world. An understanding of historical issues and events is important as people's behaviour is influenced by their homelands history and culture.

A general understanding of the varying political and economic climates around the world will greatly improve your level of global awareness. The behaviour of many people and organisations throughout the world are significantly influenced by political and economic conditions. Remember that these conditions are constantly changing and you should aim to remain up to date with any relevant movements or issues.

A good hold on the different social situations in different places is very beneficial to any globally aware person. Look at how the different generations in each country behave to gauge how the social environment is or isn't changing over time. An understanding of social conditions will also help you to identify emerging markets and growing trends in foreign countries concerning your services

Finally, you should look at implementing a culture of global awareness into your organisation. Ensure that your employees are aware of globally important issues and encourage them to be culturally aware. Employing a team of people from different backgrounds or who have international experience can also help to increase the level of global awareness in your organisation.