You perhaps cannot escape being tied to outsourced environment in some form or fashion, and for those that are fully engaged with outsourcing partners dealing with resources with multiple vendors in various countries it makes it pertinent to learn and understand the culture of the country where your resources are.

I will provide some insights and collateral on some of the outsourcing hubs in my next series of blog. lets start with Indian sub continent which happens to be one of the largest outsourcing hubs today.

To be inter-culturally competent doesn’t mean you are an authority in the values and beliefs of every culture. What it means is that you hold a deep respect for cultural differences and are eager to learn, and willing to accept that there are many ways of viewing the world.

Consider these tips while working in a Multi-Cultural Team:

Be Flexible (“blessed are the flexible for they cannot be bent out of shape!”)
Understand & Respect Different Cultures
Build Working Relationships Based on Different Work Values.
Beware of Generalizations – Cultures are Changing/Globalizing
Equal/Fair Treatment for all Team Members
Convey Your Desire to Be Sensitive to Another’s Culture – Early in the Relationship
Do Not Impose Your Own Values/Expectations on Others
Culture Cannot Be An Excuse for Poor Communication/Misunderstanding

Here are some good guides to learn more on this subject.

Internet: Centre for Intercultural Learning, An excellent site providing a local perspective on most issues.

http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-en.asp

An interesting publication produced by the United States Peace Corps that is a mix of personal experiences, cross-cultural training, and a host of ideas to help in establishing and expanding a global mindset. You may download this 256 page book (3.7Mb) for free, or download just the chapters you want.
Culture Shock Guides A well written book series (each on a different region or country).

Culture Matters http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/culture

Read: The World is Flat Thomas L. Friedman – provides in depth understanding of globalization in the 21st century.

Read a Local Newspaper or Magazine Many of these are available at no cost on the internet.