Franz Erhardt - Global Cultures and Sustainable Competitive Advantage

• Lamb 
• Somewhere in the desert
• Opened lid, grabbed some cus-cus (pasta stuff?)
• Pulled out lamb's eyeball
• Shoved it in his mouth
• Our stomach's and tastebuds are the same. Don't be embarrased when offered new things that other people eat.
• Binge Drinking - Bring you in, table of Alcohol. Constant toasting, 
• In the hotel, order half-quart heavy cream. Drink it. It will slow the processing, puke later than sooner.
• Be sure that you keep your head as clear as you can. Suffer later in the hotel.
• Be absolutely aware that the hotel room you have will be "prepared" aka bugged. They are very interested in our technology and advancements
• Take walks when you need to discuss.
• Spends entire career working internationally; worked in over 50 countries
• Sharing his own personal experience
• Principle: if you want to be successful you need to face the hurdle of dealing with other people
• People do business only with people they like!!!!!!!!!
•  Circle of competence
• Circle of indifference
•  Circle of incompetence
• Must temporarily act as if you are the same as the person you are interacting with
•  “this person looks like someone from my tribe!”
• Communication consists of

• Verbalization
• Sign language
• Body language
•  Knows 8 languages and can get along with another 5
• Take the time to learn key words
• If you show the effort you automatically gain some respect
• Make sure you can read the signs
•  Difficult for Americans to understand there is another world out there
• In Europe, you drive for 3 hours and you probably pass through 5 different countries that all talk 5 different languages
• Depending on where you are, the perception can be as different as life and death
• Can be miscommunication even when using the same word
• Communication includes asking – reconfirm what you are talking about
• Why do we shake hands? I come in friendship, I don’t have a weapon
• Middle East never show the sole of your feet
• Age is more important in Asia than rank
• At one point he had 32 different business cards – one of the most successful things he has done in his work