International Networking & Cultural Codes

The PWN Paris International Hub is buzzing with the energy of the women who came together on November 23rd for International Networking around understanding cultural codes. Twenty women of diverse cultural and business backgrounds met in the elegant setting of Hotel Chateaubriand in Paris, starting with casual networking while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Attendees were then invited to sit at one of the three tables representing different parts of the world, Europe, Asia, South & Latin America, with Ambassadors from those regions who would lead the discussion. After introducing the Ambassadors, and a brief explanation on how they would “travel” to each of those regions in 3 rounds of speed networking, the room switched into high gear. Everyone jumped into lively discussions about culture and work. There was a journey into the diversity of regions that are often mistakenly grouped together in one idea, whereas there are as many cultures as there are countries. There was an exploration about how to build rapport with business partners from other cultures: is small talk important or not; differing notions of time, how important is it? Each round of speed networking ended with takeaways that were shared on sticky notes It was hard to stop these passionate exchanges, but there was the promise of continuing later. The speed networking was wrapped up with a debrief on the patterns that emerged from the takeaways.

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It was then free time for networking, seeking out and continuing discussions that had started at with someone at one table or another. Many were delighted to meet others who had been to the same parts of the world, others were curious to learn about how business is done with people of cultures that they weren’t familiar with. Besides English, several languages were also spoken along the way

Stay tuned for the next International Networking event organized by the PWN Paris International Event!

In the words of some of the attendees:

Ingun Helderop

It was a great pleasure to attend the #Share: International Networking and learn more about the 3 different regions of Europe, Asian and South/Latin America from high skilled ambassadors and others attendees. I am specially grateful for the warm welcome and to be able sharing experiences with other peers whom have a wide selection of expertise and geographical origin. Looking forward for more eye-opening dialogue that stimulate the brain and warms our hearts.

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Katherine Krieger & Sylvie Tournier, internationalwomen.pwnparis@gmail.com