British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia

Have you ever been in a situation where you realized that your email or telephone message to a colleague from a different culture was not correctly understood? Working in an interdependent world, excellent cross-cultural communication skills are essential. Business performance, competitive advantage and talent retention depend on establishing, and nurturing strong global relationships and communicating successfully with multicultural colleagues, clients and customers. All communication is complex and it is almost impossible to send or receive any message that does not have an underlying context that can only be understood within a cultural framework.  Having a basic understanding of these six tips will help the communications with your multicultural counterparts.

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On Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Union League of Philadelphia, members of the international business community came together to hear the EU Ambassador to the United States, H.E. John Bruton, discuss how the European Union and the United States must lead the movement to restore global economic stability. 

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Birmingham International Airport welcomed on May 13 the inaugural service by US Airways to Philadelphia.

The new, seasonal 5-times-weekly service is the first direct link between Birmingham and Philadelphia, and gives passengers another route to destinations in the US such as: Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco and Tampa.  Onward travel also includes Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.

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The British American Business Council honored Governor Edward G. Rendell on March 24 with the fifth “Building a Better Future” award in recognition of his administration’s efforts to increase foreign investments in the commonwealth and help expand Pennsylvania business overseas.

“I’m proud to receive this award, and I’m excited that the successes of Pennsylvania’s international business development efforts are being recognized this way,” said Governor Rendell during the luncheon. “Our aim is to help Pennsylvania business grow and prosper, and we are working hard to strengthen existing relations and cultivate new partnerships with other countries, as well.”

With over 1,400 foreign companies investing in the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania is America’s fastest growing state in international business development. Pennsylvania exports to the UK totaled more than $1.4 billion, a 22% increase since 2006. There have also been 13 investment projects in Pennsylvania from the UK, with a total capital investment of $188 million and the creation and retention of more than 3,800 jobs.

The “Building a Better Future” award is presented to a member of the community who makes significant contributions to promoting business development within the state, country and across the Atlantic; Governor Rendell has been extraordinarily successful in cultivating these relationships.

Past honorees of this award include: Jean-Pierre Garnier, GlaxoSmithKline; HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York; John Kyees, Urban Outfitters; Rachel Brydon-Jannetta, Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc.; Leonard Graziano, Severn Trent Services, Inc.; Ed Ryan, Citizens Bank; Robert Roche, Jr., Cephalon; and Graham Broyd, Royal Bank of Scotland.

More and more companies are recognizing the importance of effective global mobility programs in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Unfortunately, many companies are discovering at the same time that their existing programs for handling international assignments don’t adequately address all of the emerging needs of the business.

Traditionally, global mobility programs have revolved around offering high-touch service for a small number of long-term relocations. But with globalization, that narrow view of global mobility just isn’t good enough.

To address company needs and achieve strategic growth objectives, Deloitte, a BABC Club Level member, believes companies must adopt a new approach that makes global mobility a standard operating practice – one that is fast, flexible, efficient and repeatable. To read more, visit Deloitte.com.

For more information, please contact Ron Arculeo, Director of Global Employer Services, at 215-299-4634 or rarcuelo@deloitte.com.

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In recognition of the success of his administration’s efforts to increase foreign investments in the commonwealth and help Pennsylvania companies do more business overseas, Governor Edward G. Rendell was honored today by a leading transatlantic business network that represents hundreds of companies and individuals.

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