4STRENGTHENING CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE (COMPETENCY) In today’s global economy, it is essential to build cultural intelligence in order to succeed and lead in innovation. While examining what neuroscience is revealing about the difference between individuals and businesses that succeed and those that fail,
Prof. Ying Yi Hong and Dr. David Livermore introduced the Four Cultural
Intelligence (CQ) capabilities at the 2010 NeuroLeadership Summit:
5ENABLING NEW IDEAS (OUTCOME) Create an environment where great ideas can
surface and grow. Walmart uses
different channels to solicit ideas,
including a monthly Town Hall
Meeting hosted by the CEO, an
annual Associate Opinion Survey,
an Open Door process and more.
The ability to act on diverse ideas
has shaped the growth of the company and helped customers save
money and live better. A couple of
game-changing examples include:
CQ DRIVE
(Motivation)
Our level of interest, drive and
motivation to adapt cross-culturally. Be curious and seek
differences.
CQ STRATEGY
(Meta-Cognition)
Our level of awareness and
ability to plan in light of our
cultural understanding. Draw
a blueprint of how to leverage
differences.
Money Center Walmart offers millions of unbanked and underserved
customers a series of low-cost
financial services through in-store
Money Centers (check cashing,
bill payments, money transfers,
MoneyCard, etc.)
CQ KNOWLEDGE
(Cognition)
Our level of understanding
about cultural issues. Take time
to understand the merits of
differences and shared values.
CQ ACTION
(Behavior)
Our level of adaptability when
leading and relating cross-culturally. Look for innovative
breakthroughs by embracing
differences.
When we seek to strengthen cultural competencies, we advance the effectiveness, creativity and adaptability of today’s culturally diverse workforce.
Efforts such as cultural-heritage celebrations, offering cultural-assessment
tools, cross-country leadership summits and cultural-competency training
all contribute to strengthen cultural intelligence.
Direct Farm This global program
focuses on driving agricultural sustainability. In 2010, Walmart China
successfully engaged more than
470,000 farmers in the Direct Farm
program. Additionally, the company
endeavors to reduce produce waste
by 15 percent while upgrading 15
percent of Direct Farm program
products from Green to Organic
certified; and to increase participation rates to 2 million Chinese
farmers by the end of 2015.
Steve Jobs said, “The source of wealth and capital in this new era is not material things … it is the human
mind, the human spirit, the human imagination and our faith in the future.” When we enlighten and
inspire our people to harness their creativity to generate value in an inclusive culture, we nurture fertile
soil where seeds of innovation can blossom into opportunity of sustained future growth.
‘Fertile Soil for Seeds of Innovation’
