Why use it?

Why complete the assessment?

• Knowledge of your own cultural profile can help you be more successful in your contact with different cultures.

• By being better prepared for how others will react when communicating across cultural boundaries, you will manage your own uncertainties better and be better equipped to manage other people’s expectations.

• Use this tool to explore how your cultural traits compare with those of your clients or the people you collaborate with.

• You can compare your own cultural profile to any number of different profiles on the Culture Active database in preparation for a forthcoming trade mission, a customer's visit, meeting or negotiation with people from varying cultural backgrounds.

• If you are a group or team completing the assessment, you can visualise (anonymously, if requested) the overall results. This helps the group to identify its potential strengths and weaknesses as it learns to work together or looks for ways of improving its global performance.

Topics and Information provided on the database include information listed under the following categories:

• Geographical
/historical and political 
background
• Economy
• 
Cultural classification

• Values and core beliefs

• Cultural black holes

• Concept of space
 and time
• Self-image

• Languages
: Communication patterns
 and use of language

• Listening habits

• Audience expectations
 at presentations

• Body language and non-
verbal communication

• Concept of status

• Gender issues

• Leadership style

• Language of 
management

• Motivation factors

• Meetings

• Negotiating

• Contracts and commitments

• Manners and Taboos

• How to empathize