Testimonials

On communication

"You have demonstrated time and time again how English language communication learning can be used as a tool for achieving business success...whatever the business is. Your flexible, creative and outcomes-orientated approach combined with your genuine passion for the job do you great credit."
Monica Larsson, Head of International Training & Education, Swedish Armed Forces

On culture

"Your contribution has helped us understand even more clearly that the multicultural nature of the company is an opportunity,a source of strength and innovation."
Terry Stock, Director Human Resources, Rolls-Royce Marine

On coaching

"The outcome for us was a highly motivated senior manager, whose core skills were maximised within a remarkably short period of time."
Jenni McLaren, Director Human Resources, Talarius

On "When Cultures Collide"

"An authoritative roadmap to navigating the world's economy."
The Wall Street Journal

On "Cross-Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach"

“Richard has done it again. This is a very pleasant way to better understand the need of cross-cultural communication in the increasing global business. To be humble and show respect are only a few qualities to understand the benefits of cross-cultural communication. This book should be mandatory for everyone, not only people in the cross-cultural business.”
Jorma Halonen, Executive Vice President & Deputy CEO, Volvo Group

“Richard Lewis’ penetrating and insightful diagrams illustrating the communication styles of over 70 cultures are excellent examples of how a visual approach can enhance veracity. This book is a ‘must’ for trainers in the intercultural field.”
Reinhard F. Leiter, Senior Vice President, Head of Executive Events, Allianz SE

On "Humour Across Frontiers"

“Wildly funny and unexpected. A delight to read. The distinction of the book comes from the way it pinpoints national differences through hilarious humour.”
Michael Gearin-Tosh, Professor in the Overseas Department of Stanford University

“Richard Lewis has spent a lifetime teaching international businessmen how to translate such diverse languages as Finnish into Vietnamese, and Portuguese into Australian; now he achieves something even more difficult – explaining how and how not to share the often impenetrable humour that sets different peoples’ funny bones tingling. Enjoy it, as I did, on your next long airplane ride. The sub-title is Around The World in 80 Jokes but in fact there are more than 800.”
Sir Eldon Griffiths, former Chairman, now Patron, World Affairs Councils of America

“Some people have humour, some do not. Richard Lewis is gifted with plenty of this precious quality. As if this would not be enough, he has collected the best jokes from all around the world and, as the foremost expert on cross-culture, he has compiled the material into a book which will attract an international audience. Read and smile!”
Uno Grönkvist, former Senior Vice President Corporate Relations, Swedish Telekom

“Humour across Frontiers is the perfect companion to Richard Lewis’s earlier encyclopaedic analysis of cultural characteristics across the globe, When Cultures Collide, and should be in the luggage on any trip. Both books will be in mine.”
Roger Ainsworth, Master, St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University

“In business, I often work with international teams and I have noticed that shared humour is a great clue to common understanding among people. So it leads to better teamwork. Nevertheless, humour is very dependent on culture…and Richard Lewis taught us that cultures sometimes collide! So does humour. At a time of business activities without borders, it is necessary to understand humour across frontiers. It is the best way to build trust and intimacy between people. So let’s go round the world in 80 jokes…and hopefully with 80 smiles!”
Michel Caron, Corporate Vice President, Michelin

“With this text the world seems to become a better place to live in. Humour across Frontiers offers us a witty and pleasant journey throughout countries and mentalities – an undoubted contribution for a better intercultural understanding.”
Carlos Baleia, Portuguese playwright

“This is a wonderful book. We live in an age in which we are so defensive of our identity and so protective of our differences that we are in danger of losing a sense of common humanity. This book shows that we do share many things, not least a sense of humour. While the book is very sensitive to differences between cultures, it is overall a terrific celebration of what we as human beings have in common.“
Lord Plant of Highfield

“Richard Lewis offers the reader a parade of international, but culture-bound jokes. Open the book, don’t rush and you have embarked on a most enjoyable intercultural journey.“
Jukka Valtasaari, Finnish Ambassador to the USA

“Great leaders have learned to use humour effectively. This book is a must for global business leaders!“
Bob Beck, Chief People Officer, BearingPoint

Riversdown House Tennis & Golf Tournaments

Our annual tournaments for alumni of Riversdown House will be held on the following days this year:

08/05/2008

› Read More »

Zhou Enlai

Zhou Enlai, Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1949 until his death in January 1976, was once asked for his...

› Read More »

OECD executive

"We are drowning in...

› Read More »

What’s your Personal Cultural Profile?

If you would like to try out CultureActive, our Personal Cultural Profiler, click here for a multimedia introduction and the chance to take your own assessment at the end.