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This chapter is excerpted from ‘Intercultural Communication for Managers'. People have always found a way to trade with one another, overcoming enormous barriers. Nations that fought for centuries came together after World War II dedicated to a plan that would let them thrive in peace. Business and trade relationships were the foundation. This book is based on the simple concept that people who partner in business tend to work together in peace more often than not. Education is also a fundamental building block for successful global relationships. Since 2008, the world has experienced the meltdown of its financial markets, followed by a devastating and protracted global recession, as well as numerous regional armed conflicts. Professionals in multi-national corporations face the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy, a revolution in communication channels fueled by digital media, a substantially transformed understanding of what a 21st century corporation stands for - all in an environment of financial, political, and social uncertainty. It is in that spirit that this book looks at successful pathways, and ways of thinking, for people working and managing in a global environment. Knowledge of the people, organizations, and companies you work with is essential. Becoming acquainted and eventually immersed in the history, geography, values, traditions, taboos, mindset, prejudices, and legal systems of someone else is an essential step to successful relationships with people from other parts of the world. Knowledge of the culture and management practices of their company is the second step toward success - how they make decisions; how they organize; how they work together; how they view the outside world; how they tolerate risk; how they settle disagreements; how they run meetings; how they view time; how they demonstrate their mission and values. Success also depends on an authentic respect for the way other people and organizations do things so that you can work with them collaboratively. Conflicts often arise in business and particularly in multinational and cross cultural environments. An initial step to resolve conflict and to mitigate or even to avoid potential conflict in the first place is a deep understanding and awareness of how a person's cultural perspective contributes to the conflict. Essential capabilities and talents for anyone working in a global environment are the transnational habits of mind and behavior such as sensitivity to others, an open mind, and a spirit that welcomes new ideas and concepts. And good humor. The ability to work and manage in a global environment is a great benefit to your company. Understanding of the global environment empowers you and your company with the confidence to compete with world-class companies. Understanding other cultures and people gives managers and executives the confidence to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently - and ultimately more profitably. Understanding the cultural values, procedures, and taboos of the country of origin of the company you are dealing with helps you and your organization to be more at ease, more self-confident, and more agile intellectually in all relationships from joint operations to negotiations. Such understanding makes a company or an organization and its representatives much more appealing to work with. Ultimately, that collaborative spirit, understanding, and respect for others translates into a positive bottom line. Also it is this knowledge, understanding, and respect for professionals from other parts of the world that contributes to the success of the leading multinational organizations and companies. People who respect one another in the work place are focused on the work at hand, motivated to successful completion, fulfilled by the work they do, and supported by the people they work with.