Trust is Built Differently in Different Cultures
Last month, I gave a presentation to Conecta Africa about talent sourcing and mentor networks. Conecta Africa is a part of the Bridge for Billions network, supporting entrepreneurs on The Continent as they journey from ideation to scaling. On a personal note, I am so thrilled to work with these African thought leaders who are bringing fresh perspectives and realistic problem solving to address social, technological, and health care opportunities that also generate capital.
As I was preparing for the presentation, I spoke to African entrepreneurs to understand the unique challenges that exist in their markets related to network sustainability. One takeaway that I learned was that solidifying trust early in the relationship is vital to the sustainability of the relationship. I admit, while this seems like an obvious observation, I have personally had a different experience in my entrepreneurial journey. When I started McCord Consulting Group in the United States, I had little difficulty networking with people who readily trusted me, my experience, and my abilities. In my experience, the culture of trust in the U.S. was more fluid. I was trusted because my future client trusted my past client. And, if I broke that trust, word would travel very quickly and my business credibility would crumble. While speaking to African business leaders, I learned that, in some African countries, trust is not given as freely. Building trust takes a lot of time, effort, and constant nurturing. The extra time I took to better understand my audience allowed me to speak in a way that did not make assumptions about business environments in African countries based upon my U.S. experience.
As you expand your business in other countries or diversify your workforce with people from other cultures, it is imperative that you work with partners who understand the nuances of these cultures to ensure your business success. McCord Consulting Group is ready to be your partner as you expand to bring your business to new corners of the world.
For more information on strategic business planning, follow along on LinkedIn or Instagram. For more information on ways in which I can motivate your team, follow along on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Nikki McCord is the founder of McCord Consulting Group & McCord Speaks, the only choice for organizations looking to energize, innovate, and pursue new paths beyond the status quo.