Awareness. Acceptance. Action. These are the three steps to implement corporate changes as explained by Tim Van Mieghan, the co-founder of the ProAction Group, a Chicago-based consultancy that revitalizes stale or stagnant private equity companies in the US and abroad to dramatically increase their productivity. With over 800 consulting assignments, Tim focuses on manufacturing challenges in Latin America and Asia. Creating efficiencies and changes are difficult in any business, but the processes Tim’s company uses are based on proven principles that work worldwide. Tim also explains challenges arising in developing countries, the most difficult project to implement, and the most difficult type of CEO to work with.

Highlights:

{02:53} How to acquire expertise in profitability improvement and gain international experience.

{06:19} Establishing trust when you are an outsider and foreigner.

{16:26} Working through interpreters.

{17:45} Stories from the job

{27:50} Working in developed countries vs developing countries

.

{31:11} Working on a project where the CEO is reluctant or interferes.

Tim Van Miegham bio:

Tim Van Miegham is the co-founder of The ProAction Group, a Chicago-based consultancy that revitalizes stale or stagnant private-equity companies in the US and abroad to dramatically increase their profitability. Since 1995, he has personally worked with over 100 private equity firms and 700 operating companies, focusing on manufacturing; supply chain management; and commercial operations such as pricing, processing and sales. Overseas, Tim has worked in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, China, Indonesia, and the UK. His firm also operates in Eastern Europe. He is the author of the book Shocking Profit: How to discover your company’s hidden value.

Connect with Tim:

Website: https://www.proactiongroup.com/

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about? 

[email return to [email protected]]

Based in Budapest and Shanghai and speaking fluent Mandarin, Gabor Holch has over 20 years’ experience as an expatriate with a true insider’s view of China. He explains reasons for Chinese government policies that seem erratic or ill-conceived to Westerners, how Communist Party officials also seek the success of companies in their purview, how to obtain financing, the most effective way for foreign firms to gain “guanxi” (connections or relationships) and to learn cultural cues for success, business relationships with Taiwan, and ways to operate in current China under President Xi. Gabor also emphasizes avoiding black-and-white and win-lose stereotypes, and that China offers no best practices and no precedents. Instead, like anywhere, investing companies seek predictability to gain profitability.

Highlights:

{01:47} Gabor’s background

{06:15} The End of the Golden Age of expatriate executives in China

{18:50} Obtaining financing for operations in China

.

{21:32} Chinese cultural values in the Workplace

{25:18} Intercultural Relationships in Chinese Business

{28:44} Doing business in both China and Taiwan

Gabor Holch bio:

Gabor Holch is an intercultural leadership coach, consultant, speaker, and author specializing in East-West executive assignments and business relations. He supports corporate executives and public-sector leaders in succeeding across national and cultural boundaries instead of getting lost in translation.

An ex-pat since age 4, Gabor transitioned from diplomacy to consulting, moved to China in 2002, and became China’s first foreigner granted a Certified Management Consultant degree in Mandarin Chinese. In 2005 he founded his Shanghai-based business, Campanile Management Consulting.

Gabor holds degrees in languages, international relations, and diplomacy, a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) degree, and certifications in several assessment and coaching methodologies. He has written three books and published about a hundred articles for academic and business publications. His next book, Dragon Suit: The Golden Age of Expatriate Executives in China, will be published by Business Expert Press, New York, in the summer of 2023.

Connect with Gabor:

Website: https://www.holch.biz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaborholch/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaborHolch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GaborHolch

To order the Dragon Suit book:  https://amzn.to/41WjhWe

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about?

[email return to [email protected]]

Based in Budapest and Shanghai and speaking fluent Mandarin, Gabor Holch has over 20 years of experience as an expatriate with a true insider’s view of China. He explains reasons for Chinese government policies that seem erratic or ill-conceived to Westerners, how Communist Party officials also seek the success of companies in their purview, how to obtain financing, the most effective way for foreign firms to gain “guanxi” (connections or relationships) and to learn cultural cues for success, business relationships with Taiwan, and ways to operate in current China under President Xi. Gabor also emphasizes avoiding black-and-white and win-lose stereotypes, and that China offers no best practices and no precedents. Instead, like anywhere, investing companies seek predictability to gain profitability.

{You can hear the full Episode on Friday, July 7th}

California-based Anna Schlegel presents a sterling example of tech issues involved in globalizing Procore, a mega software platform used for managing over 1 million construction projects in over 190 countries and localized into many languages. Anna describes the general principles for developing a global strategy; the meticulous details to coordinate mammoth upgrades and changes to ensure safety and regulatory compliance at local, state/provincial and national levels; working with restrictions imposed by China; as well as the detailed conversations with customers before any changes are made. She also describes the importance of language localization, cultural adaptations for country markets; and the training of translators to ensure they understand the construction industry and processes involved.

Highlights:

{03:30} The general principles for developing a global strategy.

{07:30} Adjusting accordingly to specific country markets.

{09:20} Working within the Chinese government’s restrictions.

{12:40} Using in-house linguistic teams vs Outsourcing.

{18:54} Cultural adaptations when working in different languages.

{25:50} How to measure success.

{33:50} Neural Machine Translation

Anna N. Schlegel bio:

Anna N. Schlegel is currently Vice-President of Global at Procore Technologies. Over the past 30 years, Anna has led globalization, PLC, engineering, product, content, strategy, and marketing teams at top technology companies in Silicon Valley, including Cisco, VeriSign, VMware, Xerox, and NetApp. 

Her work has been published in Forbes, Fortune, the European Union, Gala-Global, Multilingual, and many other industry forums. Anna has consulted for Google's International Product Team throughout her career and is a requested speaker at the Berkeley Haas Institute, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Universitat de Barcelona, and Stanford University.

Today, Anna sits on three global boards, presides over the Catalan International Economic Circle study on Women, is a Catalan DIPLOCAT member, and continues her philanthropic work with the non-profits she has co-founded such as Women in Localization and STEMentors Silicon Valley. During her tenure at NetApp, Anna Chaired the WIT organization.

In December 2021, Anna was awarded the "Creu de Sant Jordi" Medal of Honor by the Catalan Government for her leading efforts in Technology and Business. This award is considered the highest honor as a Catalan national.

Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanschlegel 

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy 

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about? 

[email return to [email protected]]

California-based Anna Schlegel presents a sterling example of tech issues involved in globalizing Procore, a mega software platform used for managing over 1 million construction projects in over 190 countries and localized into many languages. Anna describes the general principles for developing a global strategy; the meticulous details to coordinate mammoth upgrades and changes to ensure safety and regulatory compliance at local, state/provincial and national levels; working with restrictions imposed by China; as well as the detailed conversations with customers before any changes are made. She also describes the importance of language localization, cultural adaptations for country markets; and the training of translators to ensure they understand the construction industry and processes involved.

{You can hear the full episode on Friday, June 30th}

Luiza Dreasher is the president and CEO of mastering cultural differences based in Minnesota. She has over 20 years of experience in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence. She explains how companies benefit when they have diverse and inclusive workforces. Organizations can create a welcoming environment in a diverse society where groups may have hostility toward one another. 

Highlights:

{03:01} The benefits of diverse and inclusive workforces

{06:22} General principles to adopt to achieve diversity goals.

{13:57} DEI in countries with tribal loyalties

{17:40} The Brazilian cultural roadblocks to communication with Americans

{28:10} The Global Academy

Rachel Carruthers bio:

Luiza has over 20 years of experience in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence development. Her expertise in global and domestic diversity has led to consulting jobs and training to numerous audiences, including the United States Department of Defense, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Schreiber Foods of Brazil, GTI Energy, Navitaire, MN Department of Public Safety, and numerous institutions of higher education. 

Luiza has taught courses focusing on Social Justice, Cross-Cultural Race Relations, and Diversity Management. While serving as an Assistant Dean and Director of Multicultural and International Inclusion at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, she developed and taught a course on Cultural Competence for the Legal Profession.

As a contributing writer for The Inclusion Solution, a newsletter distributed by The Winters Group, Luiza focuses on transformative solutions for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. With a readership of over 195 thousand, Luiza has written about strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, the detrimental impact of microaggressions, achieving inclusive religious observance, age discrimination, how organizations can play a critical role in addressing racial inequities, and how biases and lack of cultural competence keep diversity out.

Connect with Luiza:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luiza-dreasher-phd

The Global Academy: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy 

Mastering Cultural differences: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com 

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com 

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy 

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true 

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about? 

[email return to [email protected]]

Luiza Dreasher is the president and CEO of mastering cultural differences based in Minnesota. She has over 20 years of experience in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence. She explains how companies benefit when they have diverse and inclusive workforces. Organizations can create a welcoming environment in a diverse society where groups may have hostility toward one another.

{You can hear the full episode on Friday, June 16th}

As the Global Platform Partnerships lead of Australia-based Canva, a worldwide design platform with users from over 190 countries, California-born Rachel Anne Carruthers discusses Canva’s global blueprint and how they tailor their marketing strategies to specific countries or regions such as India and Indonesia. She explains how culture affects users’ design experience and platform behavior, ethical dilemmas about incorporating certain icons and symbols, how Canva operates in China, business practices in the US vs. Australia, and challenges of localization in Silicon Valley during her previous times there.

Highlights:

{03:08} Canvas growth strategies

{06:46} Offering design elements based on regions of the world the users.

{09:55} Adapting marketing based on regions of the world.

{010:53} How culture affects users’ design.

{19:53} Cultural icons and symbols that don’t work with a global platform.

{23:14} USA vs Australia business practices

Rachel Carruthers bio:

Joining Canva in 2017, Rachel was originally responsible for leading Canva’s product and marketing localization and internationalization efforts. She worked to ensure that every user has a truly localized experience (be it on the Web App, iOS, or Android platforms) while leading cross-functional globalization initiatives to support Canva’s long-term international growth strategies.

In March 2023 she shifted gears to focus on some of Canva’s key platform partnerships, driving comarketing opportunities and amplifying new product launches. So far, her favorite thing about her time at Canva has been the convergence of language and design, and the anthropological aspect of how culture can affect users' design experience and platform behavior. Prior to moving to Sydney to pursue her Master’s degree in Media, Rachel was working as a Senior Localization Project Manager back home in Silicon Valley, servicing high-profile tech enterprise clients.

Rachel is deeply passionate about language, food, and culture, and loves to travel whenever she can. Being from California she also loves being outdoors, as well as working in animal foster care.

Connect with Rachel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelcarruthers 

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com 

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy 

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true 

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about? 

[email return to [email protected]]

The US is one of the world’s most difficult markets to enter and navigate, particularly for biosciences and MedTech firms. But it is also among the most lucrative if done correctly. Karina Sotnik of Philadelphia-based WorldUpstart explains the many issues that even the most seasoned global executives don’t realize: venture funding, regulations, managing the 52 possible governments to deal with, the huge amount of competition, talent acquisition, employment law, working with insurance companies in a multi-payer system, visas, distribution channels, and some cultural and regional issues. Karina also highlights the assistance her firm and states’ economic development agencies provide and explains the many location criteria that inbound firms should consider. She also gives some non-medical examples of how foreign companies failed by not considering some basic factors … lessons for any company expanding to any overseas market.

Highlights:

{02:50} Tips for bringing overseas companies to the USA. 

{06:52} Misconceptions about the U.S. market

{10:20} Issues manufacturing companies face when they come to the U.S.

{19:00} Start-up challenges vs. established firms

Karina Sotnik bio:

Karina Sotnik is CEO of WorldUpstart, a Philadelphia-based firm that empowers overseas tech companies, especially in the Biosciences and Medtech, to enter the US by optimizing strategies and connecting prospects with players, partners, and investors. 

WorldUpstart also works with universities and government agencies internationally to build commercialization programs to foster the creation of innovative, viable, and scalable startup companies, based on academic discovery and research.

Karina is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and advisor with over a decade of experience creating entrepreneurial ecosystems through innovation programs with significant economic impact. She has extensive experience in academic innovation, incubation, acceleration, and global soft-landing programs for startups, universities, and international organizations.

Connect with Karina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinasotnik 

Website: https://www.worldupstart.com 

Hear more episodes: https://auerbach-intl.com/podcasts

Learn more about Auerbach International: https://auerbach-intl.com

Get free quote: https://auerbach-intl.com/get-quote/

Global Marketing requests: [email protected]

Get the insurance settlement you deserve: www.IGICworldwide.com

Business Intelligence and growth: Rainmakers' Forum Report Order Form

DanSing Pancakes. Great song and book to teach kids to resist drugs, drink and smoking … and make healthy life choices:  www.DanSingPancakes.com

WorldUpstart, Build the Strategy, Connection, and Roadmap to enter the U.S. market: https://www.worldupstart.com/online-program

Mastering Cultural Differences. Help employees feel valued, respected and wanting to stay: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com 

The Global Academy. Avoid cultural misunderstandings and gaffes with employees and clients: https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/the-global-academy 

To register for Global Academy: 

https://www.masteringculturaldifferences.com/offers/zCNb6YoX/checkout?preview=true 

*** For Global Gurus listeners only, enter coupon code GG50 for $50 off the course registration.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auerbach.intl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auerbach-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbb1Tq_Xm5c7l6qBitF78Dw

What Global Gurus subjects would you like to learn (more) about? 

[email return to [email protected]]

he US is one of the world’s most difficult markets to enter and navigate, particularly for biosciences and MedTech firms. But it is also among the most lucrative if done correctly. Karina Sotnik of Philadelphia-based WorldUpstart explains the many issues that even the most seasoned global executives don’t realize: venture funding, regulations, managing the 52 possible governments to deal with, the huge amount of competition, talent acquisition, employment law, working with insurance companies in a multi-payer system, visas, distribution channels, and some cultural and regional issues. Karina also highlights the assistance her firm and states’ economic development agencies provide and explains the many location criteria that inbound firms should consider. She also gives some non-medical examples of how foreign companies failed by not considering some basic factors … lessons for any company expanding to any overseas market.

{You can hear the full episode on Friday June 9th}