Communication

Regulatory landscape against greenwashing 🌎 Regulations to prevent greenwashing are becoming increasingly stringent as governments and regulatory bodies worldwide seek to ensure that environmental claims are accurate, transparent, and verifiable. Historically, misleading green claims were regulated under general consumer protection laws, but the growing prevalence of sustainability-related marketing has led to more specific guidelines. Authorities such as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Commission have introduced new frameworks, including the Green Claims Code and the Green Claims Directive (GCD), to provide stricter oversight and enforcement. These initiatives aim to prevent businesses from using vague or deceptive sustainability claims to mislead consumers. Regulatory enforcement has intensified, with an increasing number of lawsuits and penalties for companies found guilty of greenwashing. In recent years, consumer protection agencies and advertising regulators in the US, UK, and EU have taken legal action against major brands that have misrepresented their environmental impact. Beyond government interventions, watchdog organizations and class-action lawsuits are holding companies accountable, resulting in substantial financial and reputational consequences. One of the key areas of regulatory focus is third-party certifications, which many companies use to validate their environmental credentials. However, the credibility of certification schemes varies widely, and some have been criticized for lacking independent verification or rigorous standards. To address this, the GCD explicitly bans self-certified sustainability labels and mandates that all new certifications undergo prior approval before being used in the EU. Only those that demonstrate meaningful environmental impact and transparency will be permitted, reducing the risk of misleading claims disguised under weak or unregulated certifications. Another significant shift in greenwashing regulations is the requirement for companies to consider the entire lifecycle of their products when making sustainability claims. As regulations become more stringent, companies will need to proactively adapt their sustainability strategies to remain compliant and credible. The shift towards greater transparency, stricter verification processes, and lifecycle-based assessments signals a new era of accountability in corporate sustainability. Businesses that fail to meet these evolving standards risk legal action, financial penalties, and consumer distrust, while those that embrace more rigorous sustainability reporting and certification processes will be better positioned to build trust and demonstrate genuine commitment to environmental responsibility. Source: Anthesis Group #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #greenwashing

I’ve trained in rooms where people speak English, but think in Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil Same company, same goals, but completely different communication styles. We love patting ourselves on the back for being diverse. But when a South Indian team feels a North Indian manager is "too aggressive," or a Gen Z employee thinks their Gen X boss is "dismissive", we call it a "communication gap." When really it's India's invisible boardroom barrier. Because while communicating, you’re navigating: 🔹 Cultural nuances 🔹 Generational gaps 🔹 Language preferences 🔹 Urban vs regional perspectives And if you're not adapting, you’re alienating. Here's my 3A’s of Cross-cultural communication framework: 1. Awareness: Recognize that your communication style is shaped by region, generation, and upbringing. It's not universal. 2. Adaptation: Match your message to your audience. One style doesn't fit all rooms. 3. Ask: When in doubt, clarify: What does yes mean here? How do you prefer feedback? What's the protocol for disagreement? India's diversity is incredible. But if we are not actively learning to communicate across cultures, not just languages, we're wasting it. P.S. What's your biggest cross-cultural communication struggle? #CrossCulturalCommunication #AwarenessAdaptationAsk #3AsFramework #Awareness #Adaptation #Ask #CommunicationGaps

“A brilliant VP offended a Japanese client without realizing it.” The meeting room in Tokyo was a masterpiece of minimalism—soft tatami mats, the faint scent of green tea, walls so silent you could hear the gentle hum of the air conditioner. The Vice President, sharp suit, confident smile, walked in ready to impress. His presentation was flawless, numbers airtight, strategy compelling. But then came the smallest of gestures—the moment that shifted everything. He pulled out his business card… and handed it to the Japanese client with one hand. The client froze. His lips curved into a polite smile, but his eyes flickered. He accepted the card quickly, almost stiffly. A silence, subtle but heavy, filled the room. The VP thought nothing of it. But what he didn’t know was this: in Japanese culture, a business card isn’t just paper. It’s an extension of the person. Offering it casually, with one hand, is seen as careless—even disrespectful. By the end of the meeting, the energy had shifted. The strategy was strong, but the connection was fractured. Later, over coffee, the VP turned to me and said quietly: “I don’t get it. The meeting started well… why did it feel like I lost them halfway?” That was his vulnerability—brilliance in business, but blind spots in culture. So, I stepped in. I trained him and his leadership team on cross-cultural etiquette—the invisible codes that make or break global deals. • In Japan: exchange business cards with both hands, take a moment to read the card, and treat it with respect. • In the Middle East: never use your left hand for greetings. • In Europe: being two minutes late might be forgiven in Paris, but never in Zurich. These aren’t trivial details. They are currencies of respect. The next time he met the client, he bowed slightly, held the business card with both hands, and said: “It’s an honor to work with you.” The client’s smile was different this time—warm, genuine, approving. The deal, once slipping away, was back on track. 🌟 Lesson: In a global world, etiquette is not optional—it’s currency. You can have the best strategy, the sharpest numbers, the brightest slides—but if you don’t understand the human and cultural nuances, you’ll lose the room before you know it. Great leaders don’t just speak the language of business. They speak the language of respect. #CrossCulturalCommunication #ExecutivePresence #SoftSkills #GlobalLeadership #Fortune500 #CulturalIntelligence #Boardroom #BusinessEtiquette #LeadershipDevelopment #Respect

Going viral isn’t luck. It’s a science—and a responsibility. ✅ Imagine Duolingo’s owl—for years just a quirky mascot. But when it began championing language equity across TikTok, suddenly it wasn’t cute. It was meaningful. Over 800 million views. Downloads surged. Why? Because people didn’t just share a mascot, they shared a mission. Virality used to be like lightning: random, dazzling, potentially destructive. Today, through frameworks like SPREAD developed by INSEAD professor David Dubois, it’s more like architecture: you pour foundations (social usefulness), build frameworks (provocation, emotion), open windows (replicable content), and make it ambiguous and distributive so the breeze of shares flows in. In a world overloaded with noise, culture demands more than flashy slogans. We crave content that reflects our values, that signals who we are when we push “share.” In many cultures, including here, sharing equals identity—and the brands that neglect this link risk becoming irrelevant—or worse, offensive. You think you need viral content? Maybe. But what you really need is content that travels well—and stays true. Not just flashy hooks. Not just trends. Content that’s socially useful, emotionally rich, ambiguous enough to intrigue, and distributive enough to ripple. You start with curiosity. You feel a spark of recognition. You share. And then—if all elements align—a movement begins. But it’s fragile. Tread carefully between bold and brash. Between resonance and offense. Between viral and viral for the wrong reasons. Before you post your next campaign: use SPREAD. Ask yourself—does this content offer real value? Does it provoke without alienating? Can it be remixed? Will it stir emotion? And above all: will it reflect you, not just your message? If not—don’t push publish yet. #contentmarketingstrategy

Most businesses treat Asia like it’s one market. It’s not. Asia is… 48 countries 4.8 billion people Thousands of languages, cultures, and consumer behaviors Yet global brands often copy-paste a regional campaign and wonder why it falls flat. Here’s what works instead: 1. Different messaging for different markets Grab did this brilliantly. Localized campaigns in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore – each tailored to what people actually cared about. Efficiency in Singapore. Community in Indonesia. Tourism in Vietnam. 2. Make it emotional AND logical Jollibee Group didn’t just sell food. It sold family, nostalgia, joy. The result? 1,500+ stores worldwide and a global fanbase built on storytelling. 3. Consistency wins TWG Tea Company stayed true to its luxury roots across every market. Whether in Singapore or Paris, the experience, packaging, and message remained the same. That’s how you scale without losing identity. Bottom line: Marketing in Asia isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about RESPECT, RELEVANCE, and RELATIONSHIPS (3Rs). If you're serious about Asia, you need more than translation. You need the 3Rs. (Pic from a recent training in Seoul.)

54% of LinkedIn posts are AI-generated - Should we be concerned? Analysts predict that by 2028, AI will generate 80% of online content. But the real problem is not automation but the erosion of truth. A study by Originality ai found that over half of LinkedIn’s long posts are AI-written. While this is not surprising as AI content is often easy to spot, what’s more concerning is what happens when it isn’t. AI models like GPT-4.5 still “hallucinate” in 37% of cases, according to an MIT report. That means they fabricate information at a non-trivial rate while sounding convincingly human. The deeper issue is not just artificial text but artificial truth. As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous, the boundary between what is real and what is synthetic will blur. At a fundamental level, intelligence (biological or artificial) is not built for truth-seeking but for optimization and survival! AI models don’t aim to be truthful; they aim to minimize error in the most computationally efficient way. Take gradient descent, for example: it finds the fastest path to an optimal minimum, not necessarily the most truthful one. As models grow larger and more complex, tracking the origins of misinformation will only get harder. I will soon be publishing a paper on this topic, but it is something to be concerned about. Truth will become more and more difficult to assess. https://lnkd.in/gh9hmjvd https://lnkd.in/gtni_TQb

"A simple 'hello' could lead to a million things." 🌍👋 The way we say hello varies significantly across countries and cultures. Understanding and respecting these nuances can make a world of difference in your global business endeavors. Let me share some insightful tips to enhance your intercultural business competence, drawing from my extensive coaching and international experience. 🌐💼 1️. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: Before any international meeting or negotiation, invest time in researching and understanding local customs, values, and etiquette. This knowledge will impress your counterparts and pave the way for smoother interactions. 🎎 2️. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Approach every cross-cultural interaction with an open heart and mind. Be prepared to adapt your communication style to accommodate the preferences of your international partners. 🤝 3️. 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: While fluency in a foreign language is valuable, learning a few basic greetings or phrases in the local language can demonstrate your respect and appreciation for the culture you're engaging with. 🗣️ 4️. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Develop a keen sense of cultural awareness. Understand the deep-seated values, norms, and taboos of the cultures you interact with. This knowledge can help you avoid unintentional missteps and foster better relationships. 🌐 By incorporating these strategies into your intercultural business toolkit, you'll appear knowledgeable and build stronger, more meaningful connections with your international counterparts. Your competence in navigating diverse cultural landscapes will be a true asset to your career. 🤝✨ 🌻 From Sarah, with love. #coaching #interculturalcompetence #culture #management #leadership  #personaldevelopment #motivation #thisismytable VC: Insta: @ mazjobrani

When engaging with Indigenous communities, observing cultural protocols is essential for building respectful, trust-based relationships. These practices vary by Nation, but here are foundational principles to guide your approach: Respect Elders and Knowledge Holders: Greet them first, don’t interrupt, and offer a small gift when appropriate, tobacco, tea, or cloth depending on local custom. Understand Local Governance: Learn if the community is guided by hereditary leadership, elected Chief and Council, or traditional councils. Ask before assuming. Wait for Invitation: Never assume access to ceremony, sacred sites, or even meetings. Be invited, and always ask before taking photos or recordings. Use Traditional Names and Languages: Learn the Nation’s name for their land. Practice pronunciation. This shows deep respect and effort. Lead with Humility and Listening: Don’t come to “fix”, come to build relationship. Ask, “What does support look like for you?” Respect Time and Priorities: Expect timelines to shift. Emergencies and community events come first, rightly so. Start with Land and History: Know whose land you’re on. Understand their story. Acknowledge the impacts that shape today’s decisions. Offer Reciprocity, Not Transactions: Relationships matter more than deliverables. Be in it for the long haul. These are not just formalities, they are acts of relational accountability. #CulturalProtocols #IndigenousEngagement #IndigenousLeadership #RespectfulPartnership #ReconciliationInAction #ZacharyKnightEnterprises

In this video the wife of Malaysia’s Prime Minister politely declined a handshake with the President of China. What should have been a warm diplomatic moment has turned into a subject of public debate. As protocol professionals, what lesson should be learned from this? Cultural intelligence must come before courtesy. Not every culture (or individual) welcomes a handshake. Religion, tradition, or personal choice can influence physical contact. The safer approach? Protocol should brief principals ahead of time on cultural sensitivities. Alternatives like a respectful bow, hand-over-heart gesture, or verbal greeting can be prepared. This way, leaders avoid unintended misunderstandings and still communicate respect. Protocol is not about avoiding mistakes, it’s about anticipating them. #CulturalIntelligence #ProtocolMatters #DiplomaticProtocol

How can national cultures affect business success?    Over my personal experience, one thing has become abundantly clear: understanding cultural nuances is crucial for success in a global business setting. Cultural dimensions can shape strategies, influence negotiations, and define workplace dynamics.    According to research by #GeertHofstede, we can distinguish national cultures using a set of dimensions: Power Distance, Individualism vs Collectivism, Masculinity vs Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-term Orientation, and Indulgence vs Restraint. These dimensions – more than academic theories – provide actionable insights for leaders operating in multicultural environments.    To build on Hofstede's extensive research and wealth of global data, I discovered an outstanding tool: The Culture Factor's Country Comparison Tool (https://lnkd.in/dpvZzsyu). It offers a comprehensive analysis of the above dimensions across different nationalities. Whether you're collaborating with teams in India, managing clients in Denmark, or expanding markets in Brazil, this tool provides a valuable framework to distinguish between various national cultures and understand their impact on business settings.    A disclaimer though... while this model aims to define cultures, it does not generalize individuals. Each person is unique, shaped by personal experiences that influence their values throughout life.    Leading today a team of talented individuals from 16 different nationalities, spread across five geographies, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. In the cosmopolitan environment, particularly in cities like #Dubai, the diversity of our team is both a strength and a challenge; e.g. 👉 How do you encourage vulnerability in team members from high Power Distance cultures?  👉 How do you promote gender diversity in leadership within a masculine society?  👉 How do you foster innovation and experimentation in a team with low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity?    This approach was a powerful reminder that while we come from different backgrounds, understanding and valuing our cultural differences can lead to incredible collaboration and success.    Leveraging cultural dimensions for strategic advantage requires more than just awareness—it calls for empathy, flexibility, and an openness to adapt. Integrating this understanding into your leadership approach can foster inclusivity, drive innovation, and ultimately, power your business to new heights.      The Culture Factor’s comparison tool can be a valuable companion on this journey, offering clarity and direction in understanding national culture's impact on business settings.    Let’s embrace diversity, honor cultural variations, and unlock the full potential of our global teams!    #Leadership #CulturalIntelligence #GlobalBusiness #DiversityAndInclusion