There are differences between cultures. The differences are in foundational areas.

This is not about how business cards are exchanged ... not about customs and etiquette. It is about how we fundamentally think, how we work ... about approaches, logics, mindsets, traditions, beliefs ... about our national cultural dna.

Because we differ in foundational areas, these differences have direct and constant impact on our ability to collaborate.

If not understood, the differences can hurt us. If understood, they can help us. In other words, culture influences the bottom-line.

My contribution is to help Americans and Germans to understand cultural differences.

We address three questions: Where do we differ in how we think, therefore in how we work? What influence do the differences have on our collaboration? How do we get the differences to work for instead of against us?

We engage in three conversations: With ourselves, in self-reflection. With colleagues from the same culture, in a kind of co-self-reflection. And then, most importantly, with colleagues from the other culture.

I support these conversations in three ways: one-on-one as a coach ... in seminars as a teacher ... and via cultureinfluences(dot)com in the web.

When colleagues understand each other, three things happen:

First, they collaborate better. They get the job done. That's good for the company.

Second, they sleep better at night. Literally and figuratively. They enjoy collaborating. That's good for the employees.

Third, they form a positive opinion about the other culture. And they talk about it among family and friends. That's good for the relations between countries.