Linear-active audiences
Northern EuropeNorth America
Task-oriented, organised and plan-focused. They value an agenda, facts, punctuality and a clear conclusion.
Plan for: a visible structure, evidence first, direct answers.
Your challenges · Know your audience
Audiences do not listen the same way. Plan for it.
Our work builds on the Lewis Model, a reference in intercultural business communication. It gives you a first map of what each audience needs from you.
The map
Three broad listening styles
The Lewis Model groups communication and cultural behaviour into three broad categories. They are tendencies, not rules. Individuals, companies and generations vary.
Use the map to form hypotheses about your audience, then check them with the people who know it.
What each audience tends to need
From your slides to your Q&A
Multi-active audiences
Southern EuropeLatin AmericaMiddle East
People-oriented, expressive and talkative. They build trust through relationship before they rely on data.
Plan for: time for rapport, flexibility on order and timing, personal stories next to facts.
Reactive audiences
East Asia
Respectful, reserved and accommodating listeners. They avoid putting anyone on the spot and weigh what they hear.
Plan for: a calm pace, room for silence, indirect questions and no forced confrontation.
The other half
The fog your own culture can create
Your culture also sends signals. Listeners may attach stereotypes, clichés or prejudice to your nationality, accent, age or company before you say a word.
These assumptions create static between you and your message. We help you anticipate them, neutralise the unhelpful ones and place a few positive signals on purpose.
A note on method. Cultural profiles are a starting point. We never reduce a person to a category, and every audience gets its own briefing.
A common misunderstanding
British and American codes are one culture among many
Their codes are legitimate in their own context. They are not a universal standard for persuading an audience from another culture. We use professional English as the shared language and take the decision logic from your audience.
Tell us about your next international presentation.
Describe your audience, your date and your stake. You receive an answer within 24 hours, from the expert who will deliver.
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