Aperian Global takes the following steps to ensure the quality and accuracy of the content for each culture that is represented in the GlobeSmart Culture Guides:
Literature Survey
Aperian Global's editorial team first conducts a literature review of recent publications for each culture that will be developed as a Culture Guide. The reviewers search for books, articles, and online materials that have been written in the last three years that contain useful information on the specific business topics that are covered in the Culture Guides.
Interviews
The editorial team then conducts interviews with selected local country nationals, expatriates, and business travelers, each of whom have been referred from Aperian Global's broad network of clients and associates. Interviewees are selected based on the extent of their experience working in and with the target culture.
Initial Draft
The editorial team then compiles the data from the literature survey and interviews, checks for inconsistencies, and drafts an initial document for the target Culture Guide.
Expert Critique
The editorial team submits this draft for review by consultants and trainers whose job it is to teach and coach business personnel on issues pertaining to working effectively with the target culture. These experts critique the draft and share feedback with Aperian Global's editorial team. The team edits the content and creates the final version posted as a new GlobeSmart Culture Guide.
On-going Review
In addition to this drafting process, Aperian Global conducts an on-going review of the content for each Culture Guide, updating and editing material with the help of GlobeSmart Cultural Experts, consultants, and trainers for each culture.
On-going User Input
The Culture Guides are also continuously updated via input from users. In the footer of every page is a link to Provide Feedback to Aperian Global. The GlobeSmart editorial team, with the help of our GlobeSmart Cultural Experts around the world, determines whether or not the comment or feedback should be added to the existing content. Aperian Global welcomes any and all feedback from users, and generally responds within one business day, letting the users know how their feedback will be used.