Nordic Growth Summit
We are delighted to present an exclusive interview with one of our amazing speakers, Julien S. Bourrelle, a Canadian mechanical engineer turned cultural expert, renowned for his work on understanding and bridging cultural differences.
As we gear up for the Nordic Growth Summit (NGS), Julien offers a glimpse into how his expertise aligns to the event's focus on Business Growth, HubSpot, and AI.
Hear what he had to say when we asked him a few questions here.
In a few sentences and in your own words, please describe who you are and what you do… And more importantly why you do it:
I am a Canadian mechanical engineer within the field of rocket science (astrodynamics) with a very international background turn cultural expert after moving to Norway in 2009 to take a PhD.
In Norway, I am known for my lectures and book series “The Social Guidebook to Norway”.
My work is about helping businesses better understand cultural differences and better benefit from diversity. I use simple and entertaining illustrations to make my cultural knowledge accessible to every employee. I work across the Nordics, and also with cultural differences between the Nordic cultures.
How does your expertise align with the focus of the Nordic Growth Summit - Business Growth, HubSpot, and AI?
When growing internationally, or employing a culturally diverse workforce, one needs to understand the challenges that come with working with different cultures and operating in different cultures.
I help leaders understand culture and cultural differences and how to navigate a culturally diverse international business world.
And how do you feel your expertise can help our audience (Nordic-based C-Suite professionals)?
As C-level managers leading a culturally diverse workforce across country boundaries, you need to have an understanding of cultural differences and an ability to adapt to them to be successful.
This is the essence of my work with C-level managers.
Without giving too much away, can you give a teaser about what attendees can expect from your talk?
You will be inspired to see your behaviours and cultural norms from an outsider’s perspective and reflect on how you are being perceived and how you perceive the behaviours of people from different cultures.
You will laugh and reflect on aspects of cultures you may not have realised or thought of.
What's one piece of advice or a key takeaway you'd like attendees to walk away with from your session?
Learn to be more aware of how you perceive the behaviours of people of other cultures and how they perceive you. The more you understand, the more you can adapt your leadership to convey your message correctly to a variety of cultures.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers or attendees ahead of the event? Any books, resources, or topics they should look into to get the most out of your session?
You are welcome to watch my two TEDx lectures, read my books about the Norwegian, Swedish and Scandinavian cultures and visit www.juliensbourrelle.no
Don't miss the opportunity to gain insights from cultural expert Julien S. Bourrelle and 9 other world-class speakers at Nordic Growth Summit.
Join us on April 11th, 2024, from 0900 to 1700 at Radisson Blu Plaza, Oslo.
