Blog

“Same Same But Different”: The Need for Cultural Competence in a Globalized World

by Anna Katrina Davey, Founder & President at Cultural Confidence The iconic phrase “same same but different”, ubiquitously heard in the tourist areas of Thailand as well as other parts of Southeast Asia, is a metaphor I like to use to describe people and culture. While the versatile Tinglish expression

01Dec

The future of humanity is at stake: Roy Casagranda on Thomas Pickering and the Iran nuclear deal

By Roy E. Casagranda, PhD and Professor of Government at Austin Community College The dominant world order for 6,350 years, that the Middle East and North Africa has been host to at least one world superpower, has been turned upside-down for last 150 years. This is the result of successful British, French, and US

16Nov

Global Entrepreneurship Week, Generation Y, and Innovation in Norway

WAC Austin
Blog, CGT, News, Recent
business, investment, Kristiansand, Norway, SXSW, trade

Ben Ramirez recently traveled to Norway with Mitch Jacobson, Director of the Austin Technology Incubator at the University of Texas. Ben was invited to offer presentations on Generation Y, and the innovative business ecosystem in Austin during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Vital connections were made with

17Oct

Saudi Arabia Pivots toward China: The Rise of a New Global Order

What is one to make out of King Salman of Saudi Arabia recent trip to Asia? The answer is the kingdom’s worries about the economic and security impact of the inevitable shift in global geopolitics. Though, I am not surprised at this visit given the fact the kingdom is reassessing its economic and security

10Sep

5 Mistakes to Avoid when Working Across Cultures

by Anna Katrina Davey, Founder & President at Cultural Confidence Most businesses and other organizations work across cultures every day of the week. They may have offices around the world, work on multinational projects, or work with a culturally diverse team in their local offices. Never before has the need

07Aug

Young African Entrepreneurs Win in Austin

For the fourth consecutive year, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders held a pitch competition in Austin. Twenty-five young entrepreneurs from African countries including Guinea, Nigeria and the Central African Republic presented their ideas for improving lives in their communities and

06Apr

The Austin Global Business Forum

By Emma Aberle-Grasse and Betsy Mckinney On Wednesday, the World Affairs Council of Austin cosponsored The Austin Global Business Forum. It was an intriguing and dynamic look at Austin’s expanding international business engagement. The event was hosted at St Edward’s University by the Kozmetsky Center

27Feb

No Bees Means No…

Betsy McKinney
Blog, News, Recent

By Betsy Mckinney The bumble bee, a once-abundant species spanning 31 states and multiple Canadian provinces, has been added to the Endangered Species List. Their alarming decline is cause for extreme international concern—wild bees are vital to a functioning global environment, health, and business. Why? These

23Jan

Leveraging the International Student Workforce

WAC Austin
Blog, News, Recent

AIESEC is a global not-for-profit organization established in 1948 that is dedicated to empowering young leaders across the world. Operating in more than 126 countries and 2,600+ universities, we bridge Austin companies and the global talent pool of professionals to provide students and graduates with the

17Jan

Embrace new technologies to help transform your business for the digital age

Today, digital transformation is affecting all businesses at a more rapid pace than ever before. Now is the time to embrace new technologies to help transform your business for the digital age, or risk becoming obsolete. Blockbuster Video and Kodak are recent examples of companies which were destroyed by new