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Being International - 1: Prologue

Prologue

As many of you may know, I live an international life — two countries, a lot of travel, and doing business over large portions of the globe. Other people and places was something that I found interesting. In my professional work, I found sought out opportunities for international involvement. This gave me the opportunity for travel and international business - in many countries. This lead to international studies in the United States and in France. In 1992, I moved to France where I now live and work.

While at Insead on an executive program, I was first exposed to the cross-cultural research of Geert Hofstede. That lead to my studying further to understand the cross-cultural environment and what I had experienced internationally. I began to teach and speak on the subject – especially as related to the business environment.

Recently, I was invited to contribute to a book that was in preparation. The muses worked slowly but the article did, finally, come together and the reviewers found that it added value. The book is titled “Glocal” working: Living and working across the world with cultural intelligence and my contribution is the paper “On Being International” plus a overview comparison between France and the United States.

I delayed starting this series pending publication of the book so as to not preempt it. Now that it is published, I can start to write about what I have learned about living and doing business internationally.

Certainly, many of you have had similar experience – even greater. My hope in sharing my experience is that you find it to be interesting and of value. Maybe you will agree with me. Possibly your view will be different from mine. Either way, I will welcome your feedback.

Maisons-Laffitte, France, 15 July 2010 

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