In the early 2000 when I was assigned as Country Representative for Australian Business Volunteer, Australian NGO funded by AusAid, met Prof. Edward T. Hogan – McQuarrie University Lecturer, and started working together with him. My deep understanding on Japanese Culture (I was awarded 2 scholarships by AOTS – Japanese government, to study in Japan) and Mr. Hogan ‘ s experience on how the Chinese do their businesses were interested by PT. Telkom (Training Division). We then spoke on Cross Culture topics in various occasions, different locations in country and overseas for years.
Starting 2010 I established Cross Culture Institute. This organization has the mission that because we live in this era of globalization where cultural differences are often crashed that caused losing opportunities and chances.
Cross cultural understanding is the ability of people for business people, diplomats and student to recognize, understand and correctly respond to people, incidents or situations where misunderstandings might arise due to cultural differences.
There are four Ls of cultural competence. Be able to look and listen, learn, and live with the people you are working with. You need to be aware of the cultural differences, be able to absorb them, and apply them in every decision you make.
There’s a famous Indonesia proverb, which I’m sure you are all aware of serves as an example of cultural awareness. When pointing a finger at someone, remember 3 fingers are pointing at you. It’s a proverb I’m fond of for many reasons. But it also doubles up as a mirror.
When we visit other countries and cultures, we are always putting up a mirror and trying to see ourselves in it. Often we blame others when the problem is in ourselves.
Why is cultural competence important? Considering others from your own point of view does nothing to build respect, or trust. Without respect and trust how can you do business with each other? More importantly, how can you keep doing business with each other?
What Do we do?
- In-house training ABC on Cross Culture for all segments (from student to top mananeger)
- Seminar and Practical on Cross Culture One Day Seminar in your country and 3 Nights and
- 4 Days Practice in Japan (living together with Japanese families).
- International Program Snow Camp on end of March in Nagano Prefecture, Summer Camp in Japan, Shanghai and in Indonesia on every July
- Cross Culture Program/Home Stay Program, in Japan, Korea, USA, Mexico, Indonesia anytime
Testimonies
Indonesian To Japan
1. More than 40 Campus People: Rectors, Professors, lecturer and Academic Staff from The Association of Computer Universities (APTIKOM) in whole Indonesia, April 2018.
2. Victory School Bekasi, International School, March 2018 (Snow Camp and Home Stay) – This school participates every year since 2010
3. BSD BCA Employees, March 2018
4. ITB Student, 2017
5. Photographer Club, 2016
Japanese To Indonesia
1. December 25, 2018, 25 families to Malang, East Java
2. December 25, 2017, 20 Families to Jakara, Bogor, Bandung and Bekasi
3. Summer Camp in Lembur Pancawati Bogor
4. December, 2016, 16 Families in Jogyakarta
5. December 2015, 20 Families in Bandung, Jakarta, Tangerang and Bekasi
Note : Cross Culture Institute has been pair partnership with Hippo Family Club Japan. Hippo Family Club is a Japanese NGO that 22K members seriously learn foreign languages as well as cultures.
Personally I am also Hippo Family Club Representative for Indonesia.
