You’ll notice I enlarged the picture this week because I thought it noteworthy for you to see it. This is the Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina, Sicily, which is a square known for the breathtaking view of the azure Ionian Sea and of the Mount Etna. I adore this night view from a nearby rooftop (of course while sipping limoncello, an Italian lemon liquor known in Southern Italy).
I came to Sicily to meet my strategy group, and we had some excellent sessions; however, that isn’t the tie to work I refer to in my title. Seeing the world absolutely relates to business. Of course, this would be done ideally in person but you can also absorb quite a bit watching TV or by reading magazines. Understanding different cultures, business customs and what’s relevant to a country or area will come in handy. We live in an interconnected world with customers, suppliers and other trusted partners throughout the world. I cannot think of a client that doesn’t have a material that originates in another country somewhere down-the-supply chain or one that sells to other countries at least somewhere up-the-supply chain. Can you?
Understanding what is important to your customers, suppliers, employees (as they also come from around the world or have related interests) or colleagues is quite relevant to bottom line business results.
