The International Business Podcast

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.     Muraly Srinarayanathas, author of Between Borders, Beyond Boundaries: Strategies for Authentic Business Engagement in an Interconnected World, is a global strategist and serial entrepreneur. He is co-founder and executive chairman of 369 Global, a conglomerate involved in skills training and workforce development, media and communications, and global market facilitation. He also founded 3 Magazine, a luxury lifestyle and business publication that focuses on celebrating Canada’s growing and diverse population. Srinarayanathas has more than 25 years of experience working in international markets across North America, Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. You can purchase Muraly’s book on Amazon here. This will contribute to The International Business Podcast. Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.   Today, we talk about the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).   It was established in 1961 to boost the economic growth of Western industrialized countries and to promote global trade. Initially made by 20 founding members, it currently has 38 member countries. Originally the membership was exclusively North American and European, but it then expanded further. Its headquarters is in Paris and employs over 2,300 staff. The organization is founded by its members, and the national contributions are based on each member’s economy.   So, what does the OECD really do? At its heart, the organization is all about encouraging policies that drive prosperity, fairness, and well-being for everyone. - Connect with the host ⁠Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.⁠ ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.     What are the major differences between U.S. and Chinese business dealings and practices?   What questions do today’s business leaders need to ask to work successfully and carefully with China?   How does the CCP operate, including their use of flattery to manipulate and replicate business models?   Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Joining Leonardo we have Ken Wilcox. He was the CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011, then the CEO of SVB's joint venture with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPDB-SVB) in Shanghai until 2015, followed by four years as its Vice Chairman. He currently serves on the boards of the Asia Society of Northern California, the Asian Art Museum, and UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center, as well as Columbia Lake Partners, a European venture-debt fund. He is on the Board of Advisors of the Fudan University School of Management in Shanghai and an Adjunct Professor at U.C. Berkeley.   Ken holds a PhD in German from Ohio State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His account of establishing an innovation bank in China, “The China Business Conundrum: Ensure that Win-Win Doesn’t Mean Western Companies Lose Twice”, was published in November 2024 from Wiley.   For an extra 20 minutes episode with Ken, check out the PLUS episode that is coming out tomorrow. It is available for Patreon subscribers.   You can purchase Ken's book on Amazon here. This will contribute to The International Business Podcast.   If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.   Today, we talk about the multi-domestic strategy.   This strategy emphasizes local responsiveness over global efficiency. Companies adopting this approach tailor their products and marketing strategies to meet the unique needs of each market they enter. This decentralized model allows local managers significant autonomy to make decisions that resonate with regional consumers.   - Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn. Join Leonardo on Patreon for: Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.   For further reading: How Netflix Is Extending Its Tentacles Across Asia in Search of the Next Squid Game You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠The Personal MBA⁠ - ⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠ - ⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠ - ⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.  Today we talk about Temu.   Temu is an online marketplace that belongs to the Chinese Pinduoduo Group, which was founded by Colin Huang, one of China’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. It kicked off in May 2022 and made its way to Europe in May 2023.The site promotes itself with the catchy tagline “Temu: shop like a billionaire” and is famous for its super low prices and big discounts, selling just about everything you can think of.   - What is their business model?   - Is Temu a threat for Amazon?   - What are the concerns you should have as a consumer? And more.   Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.   You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - The Personal MBA - HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025 - The 48 Laws of Power - Blue Ocean Strategy Joining Leonardo we have Kathryn Read, Partner at Uniconsult-Wick & Partner. She spent more than 25 years at the nitty gritty end of export doing business in more than 150 countries.    - If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host, Leonardo Marra, welcome to The International Business Podcast. Today’s the last episode of 2024. I’ve decided to bring back the best episodes of the year. And by best, I mean the most listened to. Enjoy these pills from your favorite episodes, and see you in 2025. Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. - If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.  Today we dive into the fascinating world of international professionals relocating to Denmark. As of 2024, Denmark's GDP is projected to reach approximately $412.28 billion, reflecting a solid growth rate of around 3.0%. This growth is largely driven by key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and technology, which are contributing significantly to the economy. In addition to its impressive GDP figures, Denmark boasts a strong business environment characterized by high levels of innovation and a commitment to sustainability.   ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - Denmark - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture -  Millionaire Expat: How To Build Wealth Living Overseas Joining Leonardo we have Kate Dahl, career consultant for internationals in Denmark. Kate is renowned in Denmark for helping internationals and organizations, with her comprehensive training and workshops on how to search for jobs in a Danish cultural context and on how to adapt to the Danish working environment. Relocating to a new country is exciting, but when it comes to finding a job, many expats find themselves navigating unfamiliar terrain. As someone who has been in their shoes, Kate helps expats successfully land their dream jobs in Denmark by offering tailored job search training. Her approach focuses on communicating each individual’s unique value in the Danish cultural context and making them visible in the Danish labor market. Whether it’s crafting a CV that stands out, writing a compelling cover letter, optimizing a LinkedIn profile, reaching out to Danish companies, or acing the job interview, Kate provides clear, actionable strategies to get her clients noticed by Danish employers.   Over the years, she has empowered hundreds of internationals to secure roles in Denmark through a proven, practical approach that bridges the gap between their skills and the expectations of the Danish job market. Whether someone is just starting their career in Denmark or needs to reinvent themselves in a new field, Kate offers a unique expat perspective that helps navigate the complexities of the local job market with confidence. - Link to download free list of companies hiring internationals in Denmark. - If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.   Today, we talk about inflation.   Inflation is an essential economic principle that denotes the overall rise in the costs of goods and services within an economy over time. This phenomenon results in a decline in the purchasing power of money, indicating that consumers can acquire fewer items with the same amount of currency. Inflation is typically measured using indices such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the average price changes in a basket of selected goods and services over a specified period, typically on an annual basis.   In today’s connected global economy, inflation plays a big role in international business. Companies that work across borders have to deal with different inflation rates, which can impact how they set prices, their profit margins, and how competitive they are overall. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Sources for further analysis: - Supply Chain and Inflation: Issues and Impacts  - Ford warns investors of an extra $1 billion in supply chain costs. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠ - Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is Leonardo from Shanghai, and welcome to the international business podcast.  Today we delve into business innovation.   What is design thinking? How can an organization improve the volume and quality of new ideas? And more.   ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.   You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - HBR's 10 Must Reads on Business Model Innovation - How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom - Invention: A Life Business innovation is critical for maintaining competitiveness in today's fast-paced global market, particularly in the realm of international trade. It encompasses the development of new products, services, processes, or business models that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and create significant value for both the company and its clients.   Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. helps organizations and their leaders generate sustained results in the areas of innovation, strategy, profit growth, organizational effectiveness, and leadership. Formerly a Vice President for Acxiom Corporation, he has led established and startup business units in North & South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.   With over 30 years of experience in leading established and startup businesses across various industries and regions, Jeff is a strategic growth, innovation, and leadership expert who helps organizations and their leaders generate sustained results. As the Managing Director of Innovation Junkie, he partners with C-Suite and executive leaders who are looking to scale their organizations more efficiently and create disruptive solutions for the key problems facing the world today. Jeff is also a three-time best-selling author, a certified executive coach, an instrument rated multi-engine pilot, a podcast co-host, and an investor. His books, The Innovator’s Field Guide, The Top Performer’s Field Guide, and Creating Startup Junkies, provide practical insights and tools for entrepreneurs, innovators, and change agents.   If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story.   - Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. Welcome to the International Business Podcast, hosted by me, Leonardo.   Are you based in the U.S. but tasked with expanding sales into Latin America? Are you a French national in Tokyo managing Asia-Pacific markets? Or perhaps you're in Spain overseeing exports to the Middle East and North Africa?   These are just a few examples of the myriad combinations of international professionals out there.   Over the past five years, I have interviewed experts from various industries worldwide, engaging in conversations that uncover their challenges and provide insights to help you become a better international business leader.   I am the Head of Digital & Sales in Asia-Pacific for a large Italian company. A Roman by birth, a Londoner after graduation, and Shanghainese since 2018, I have worked internationally across different sectors for the past 15 years — from food packaging to healthcare to education.   Let’s explore the show in more detail. The core of the podcast consists of episodes featuring expert guests who share their perspectives and experiences on specific business topics.   We also have the Weekly Concept series, which includes shorter episodes illustrating key concepts in this discipline, such as tariffs escalation, global manufacturing, foreign direct investment, and more.   Lastly, we offer Plus episodes available only to premium subscribers. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Self-learning is one of many strategies that can meet the contemporary needs of a changing and unpredictable workplace. Surround yourself with peers and learn from them. We have listeners from 100+ countries as of now.   This is what you gain from this show.

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline. Today, we talk about global manufacturing.   Global manufacturing involves companies evaluating diverse political, cultural, and technological factors when selecting production locations. Key challenges include balancing in-house production with outsourcing and deciding on centralization versus decentralization. The sector is transforming through smart factories that leverage IoT, AI, and automation for enhanced efficiency. By 2030, sustainability will become crucial, with manufacturers focusing on eco-friendly practices to meet consumer demands. Geopolitical factors also impact supply chains, making resilience strategies like nearshoring increasingly important.   - Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. Today, we explore the divide between China and the United States and its global repercussions.   The world is increasingly dividing between the U.S. and China. No government or company is immune to the escalating tensions between these two superpowers.   - China’s old growth playbook relying on real estate for growth is damaged. What are the new productive forces to drive growth?   - Some analysts argue that Vietnam or India is the next China. This is also part of the diversification of supply chains, the China Plus One strategy. Can Vietnam or India really be the next China?   ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.   Joining Leonardo today we have Shaun Rein. He is the Founder and Managing Director of the China Market Research Group (CMR), the world's leading strategic market intelligence firm focused on China. He works with boards, billionaires, heads of states, CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 500 & leading Chinese companies, private equity firms, SMEs and long/ hedge funds to develop their China growth, political and investment strategies.   Rein authored the international best-sellers "The War for China's Wallet: Profiting from the New World Order," "The End of Cheap China” & "The End of Copycat China".  His latest book is “The Split: Finding Opportunities in China's Economy in the New World Order”  You can purchase his latest book on Amazon here. By using this link, you would also contributing to the podcast. Rein is regularly featured in the Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times. His op-eds have appeared in the New York Times. He frequently appears on CBS, CNN, BBC, CNBC, PBS and MSNBC. Rein formerly taught executive education classes for London Business School and was a weekly columnist for CNBC and Forbes. He also wrote a column for Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Rein is one of the most sought out keynote speakers focused on innovation, consumer trends and the economy in China. He served on the Board of Trustees for St. Paul's School and was a member of the Investment Committee. He can be booked via speaker bureaus or directly through CMR. If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story.     - Connect with the host Leonardo Marra   

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.   Today, we talk about escalation, specifically tariffs escalation. Tariff escalation refers to a trade policy characterized by protectionist measures, in which nations implement elevated import tariffs on manufactured products compared to those levied on raw materials or unrefined goods. This approach aims to safeguard domestic industries by making imported finished items more expensive, thereby encouraging consumers to purchase locally produced alternatives. As a result, countries often seek to promote their own economic interests while simultaneously limiting foreign competition in the market. Find further information here: US, China trade tariffs escalating would be ‘costly for everybody,’ IMF deputy director says Trump’s tariff proposal could cost over $2,000 (£1,500) per capita to US consumers Trump's proposed tariffs would raise prices for these products, experts say Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. Today we discuss about corporate culture, multicultural teams, cultural agility and more. How can leaders actively shape and reinforce the corporate culture within their organizations, especially during times of change? Teams are the core of organizational performance and need dedicated support to align on goals, come together to anticipate challenges, collaborate under stress, and communicate proactively. Specificially with multicultural teams, what are the typical issues that happen? What is cultural integration?   To learn more about each guest joining Leonardo today, please check below. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.   Marion Campan is a French entrepreneur who embarked on the journey of improving work standards in China and in the world.  After 10 years in the corporate world, she founded Intandid, an HR solution provider for foreign brands in China.  Every day, Marion and her team are growing people and organizations. As a Professional Certified Coach, Marion stands out for her ability to create Strengths-based environments that drive success. Marion's diverse international experience spans across France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Taiwan, and China, providing her with a unique perspective on global business dynamics. Her profound understanding of behavioral psychology fuels her drive to help individuals thrive within their professional spheres. Maria Pastorelli is an experienced executive and team coach, cross-cultural facilitator, and keynote speaker based in Shanghai, China, for the past 15 years. As the founder of Bridge Consulting and co-founder of Global Impact Teams, she is dedicated to helping international leaders and teams find new ways to work better together in globally distributed environments to improve both performance and engagement. She has partnered with Fortune 500 companies in various sectors (manufacturing, automotive, beauty, Chemical, Retail, telecommunications) to strengthen cross-cultural leadership, remote team collaboration, change management, and more. She is fluent in Italian, English, and Chinese, and has been a speaker for TEDxNYU Shanghai on the importance of conversations to deal with differences in business. She also passionately advocates for women by leading the Global Women Entrepreneurs Network community and supporting local initiatives like Mentor Walks Shanghai. Denis Niedringhaus is a leadership coach based in Luxembourg specialised in Multicultural Agility.   He helps Senior Managers new to Luxembourg and France make a successful professional transition and integrate their  environment .  He's a LinkedIn Top Executive Coaching Voice and author of numerous articles on Intercultural Agility.  Three continents, three languages and 30 years of experience in multinational companies, he's the Managing Director of Weilan Coaching and Training and shares his insights and experience on the challenges facing expats in Luxembourg, France and Mainland China. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline. Today, we present the concept of hierarchical business culture, a vital aspect of organizational dynamics that significantly influences management practices. In today’s increasingly globalized world, understanding and effectively navigating the nuances of hierarchy in cross-cultural settings is crucial for ensuring successful leadership and management across diverse environments. What are the key features of hierarchical culture? There are four primary characteristics that define this organizational structure. Clear Authority Structure Top-Down Decision-Making Formal Communication Emphasis on Seniority What are the implications for international business? Cultural Sensitivity Decision-Making Speed Employee Engagement Training and Development Links to further your research: Japanese Corporate Culture Doing Business in China with culture and etiquette Management Practices Across Firms and Countries ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is Leonardo from Shanghai, and welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we delve into the experiences of foreigners working in Japan, collaborating with Japanese professionals, and vice versa.  Who is your typical executive in Japan? How does leadership change across language and culture? What is the thing most foreigners get wrong about Japan business culture? And more. To learn more about each guest joining me today, please check below. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Jason Durkee is President of corporate training firm Idea Development in Tokyo. During his 30 years as a consultant in Asia, he's helped more than 40,000 people communicate, manage and work better across languages and cultures. Jason was born and raised in Seattle, graduated from Sophia University's Faculty of Comparative Culture in Tokyo, worked in Japan and Shanghai, founded Idea Development in 2003, developed the company to be an leader leader and has managed global teams since 2003. Since 2003 Idea Development has specialized in providing learning and development solutions to clients in Japan that achieve meaningful business results. Focusing on innovation, communication, working across cultures and leadership. Over the years, the company has grown consistently and now proudly serves more than 130 clients a year. Jeff O’Dea has worked in Japan as an educator for over 30 years. During this time, he has collaborated with many global companies in his roles as a coach, trainer, consultant, presenter, and educator. He is passionate about discussing, drawing, and writing on cross-cultural communication, particularly as it pertains to Japan and Japanese business professionals.Jeff is dedicated to helping Japanese business professionals enhance their communication skills and, more importantly, boost their confidence and mindset to communicate more effectively in English. He has also had the opportunity to work with a range of expatriates in Japan, assisting them in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for their Japanese partners and colleagues.   Tom Roberts, known as “The Expat Whisperer,” is an expert in global leadership and intercultural complexities. As a senior executive, author, keynote speaker, and certified executive coach, Tom has guided numerous C-Suite and VP leaders in transforming their international experiences into career advantages. With over a decade of international assignments across 11 countries, he understands the unique pressures faced by expat executives. Tom emphasizes the importance of recognizing the cultural influences from one’s home, host, and headquarters environments to ensure success for both the leader and their family. He founded Cranberry Leadership to enhance the success of expat assignments, leveraging data-driven assessments and his extensive experience. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline. Today we present the concept of dollarization. Dollarization occurs when a country transitions from using its domestic currency to adopting a foreign currency– typically the US dollar -  to use alongside or instead of its own currency. Links to further your research: Dollarization in El Salvador celebrates 21 years Full Dollarization - The Pros and Cons An Economic History Of El Salvador’s Adoption Of Bitcoin ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is Leonardo from Shanghai, and welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we discuss the China's digital ecosystem.   ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. The digital economy in China, contributing to 10% of the GDP in 2023, is a critical component of national development. China's commitment to advancing its digital economy includes massive investments in emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and 5G. This strategic focus aims to position China as a leader in the global digital economy. Today’s guest is Ashley Dudarenok. Ashley is a naturalised Chinese serial entrepreneur, award winning digital expert and book author, recognised by Thinkers50 as a “Guru on fast-evolving trends in China”. She is the founder of ChoZan 超赞 China digital transformation consultancy and Alarice, China-focused digital marketing agency. Ashley and her team help world's top companies and brands to learn for and from China. She’s also a sought-after professional speaker covering topics around customer centricity, the future of retail, technology in action. Ashley is the author of 11 books on digital China. She has over 500,000 professionals follow her social media channels for daily China business insights.   What are the functions in WeChat? Is Weibo still relevant? How are Chinese companies going global? This and more in today’s episode.

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline. Today we present the concept of Foreign Direct investment (FDI).  Foreign Direct Investment is a significant aspect of international economics, representing a long-term investment made by an individual or entity in one country into business interests in another country. FDI plays a crucial role in the global economy, promoting economic growth, enhancing productivity, and providing access to new markets and technologies. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Links to further your research: CFI article World Bank article OECD article Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin AWS launches Malaysia’s first cloud infrastructure region Connect with the host Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. Welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we discuss expats. To learn more about each guest joining Leonardo today, please check below. ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. Expats are crucial for global companies as they bring diverse perspectives, specialized skills, and cultural insights that enhance international operations.   ⁠Gabor Holch⁠ is an intercultural leadership coach, consultant, speaker and author specialised in East-West executive assignments and business relations. He supports corporate executives and public-sector leaders in succeeding across national and cultural boundaries instead of getting lost in translation. An expat since age 4, he transitioned from diplomacy to consulting, moved to China in 2002 and became China’s first foreigner granted a Certified Management Consultant degree in Mandarin Chinese. In 2005 he founded Campanile Management Consulting. He has advised, coached and trained leaders for 100+ clients in 25+ countries through his own firm, partner consultancies and the business academies of half a dozen multinational corporations. He has spoken at conferences and corporate events and lectured at business programmes in Europe and Asia. He has written three books and published about a hundred articles. His latest book, Dragon Suit: The golden age of expatriate executives in China, was published by Business Expert Press, New York, in summer 2023.   ⁠Chis Smit⁠, has become a role model for many individuals throughout his career. Cultural Diversity and Company Culture can be greatly misunderstood within an industry that is continuously evolving and Chris is looking to spread awareness in these areas to help implement change. When booked as a speaker, Chris focuses on topics such as Intercultural Management, Leadership, Management, and Marketing. In 1987, Chris attended the University of Amsterdam where he was awarded a master’s degree in Organisational Psychology. This was then followed by him gaining a Business Consultant role at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Dedicated to making a difference, Chris has now become a Managing Partner of Culture Matters. His beliefs not only benefit himself but thousands of people throughout the business world which is why he has been able to build a successful career. Chris hosted the TEDx Talk ‘⁠Humor and culture in international business⁠ in 2014.   ⁠Shelley Doyle⁠ is a pioneering Social Wealth Strategist and a Master's student at Royal Roads University, specializing in enhancing the social wellbeing of remote and hybrid leaders. With over 20 years in communications, Shelley has pivoted to empower corporate teams, remote leaders, and founders to foster meaningful connections and sustain their social wellbeing in our digital age. Through her innovative workshops and talks, Shelley merges cutting-edge research with her global experiences, equipping leaders with tools and strategies to reconnect, enabling them to feel deeply trusted, connected, and supported. Join Shelley’s ⁠newsletter community⁠ Check out her ⁠Podcast⁠