The Chinese American Chamber of Commerce’s August networking meeting was on Sunday, August 8th, 2010.
Glynis introduces the cultural framework before the participants begin the interactive "jigsaw" workshop.
The main presentation was Making culture visible: understanding the invisible similarities and differences between cultures, by Glynis Ross-Munro, President of Competency and Performance Solutions. The design was an interactive “jigsaw-based” activity that allows networking, and engages all participants in improving intercultural and global understanding.
The first example covered the way some cultures give permission to show feelings, and some cultures value strong control over showing feelings.
The 5×6 group jigsaw section covered:
1) The invisible assumptions about the roles and importance of individuals and groups, and their connections and responsibilities in a culture.
2) Power Distance: the way a culture accepts (or does not accept) inequality.
3) The way cultures think about rules, and flexibility or exceptions to rules.
4) The degree to which life is seen as holistic or compartmentalized in a culture.
5) The way people in a culture see and use time.
About 30 people took part in the exercise and the response was very good. While most participants developed new insights along national-cultural lines, many also saw occupational cultural trends, generational patterns, military/civilian differences etc.
There was also a special dance performance by Ms. Xue Wei, the Director of My Bright Dream Children’s Dance Group and Clearwater Morning Star Dance Group.
Contacting the Chamber: cey@ceyenterprise.com, dsofficials@yahoo.com or
- HJ Yang 727-204-1818
Kevin Wang 813-767-5677
Learline Shorty 813-777-6703
Linda Hibbeln 813-735-8816
