Globalization or Westernization? — The Silent Erasure of Indigenous Roots in the Corporate World

Culture Fit or Culture Erasure?

Why do global companies often demand “global etiquette” that aligns more with Western norms, subtly rejecting traditional greetings, attire, or value systems?

English: The Language of Power or Suppression?

In global meetings, native speakers dominate. Are we global, or just anglicized?

Spiritual Values vs. Corporate Goals

Many Eastern cultures value rest, meditation, or prayer breaks—why are these seen as unproductive or unprofessional in global setups?

Festivals & Faith: Who Gets the Day Off?

Multinational companies often favor Christian holidays worldwide—what about Diwali, Eid, or Lunar New Year?

DEI or Just Tokenism?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion often stops at skin color or gender. What about cultural inclusion? Language? Customs?

Local Wisdom is “Unscalable” — Who Decides That?

Indigenous farming, healing, and teaching methods are rejected by global systems. Are they truly unscalable—or just uncomfortable for Western investors?

East Adopts the West. West Markets the East.
Yoga becomes a billion-dollar industry abroad while being undervalued where it was born. Why is profit respected only when rebranded in the West?

Safe Disclaimer (for speaking/presenting):
> This presentation aims to spark a dialogue—not division. We respect all cultures and perspectives and believe open conversations can lead to truly inclusive global management.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Navigating Cultural Nuances in Global Business​

Global businesses often face the challenge of reconciling universal corporate standards with diverse cultural practices. This tension frequently leads to the subtle, or not-so-subtle, suppression of local customs in favor of Western norms, raising questions about true inclusivity.

The "Global Etiquette" Dilemma​

Many multinational corporations inadvertently impose a "global etiquette" that aligns predominantly with Western ideals. This can manifest as a subtle rejection of traditional greetings, attire, or value systems, creating an environment where non-Western practices are seen as less professional or appropriate.

English: Unspoken Power Dynamic​

While English serves as a common language in global meetings, its dominance often leads to native speakers holding an inherent advantage. This can marginalize non-native speakers, hindering their full participation and raising concerns about whether "global" truly means "Anglicized."

Spiritual Values vs. Corporate Productivity​

Many Eastern cultures integrate practices like rest, meditation, or prayer breaks into daily life and work. However, in global corporate setups, these deeply held spiritual values are often perceived as unproductive or unprofessional, clashing with Western-centric notions of continuous work.

Holiday Disparity: A Question of Recognition​

Multinational companies frequently prioritize Christian holidays worldwide, potentially overlooking or downplaying the significance of major festivals like Diwali, Eid, or Lunar New Year for their diverse workforce. This highlights an imbalance in cultural recognition and inclusion.

DEI: Beyond Surface-Level Diversity​

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives often focus on visible characteristics like skin color or gender. However, true cultural inclusion extends to language, customs, and intangible value systems. Without addressing these deeper cultural aspects, DEI efforts risk becoming mere tokenism.

"Unscalable" Local Wisdom: A Western Bias?​

Indigenous practices in areas like farming, healing, and education are often dismissed by global systems as "unscalable." This raises a critical question: are these methods genuinely unscalable, or are they simply uncomfortable for Western investors and their established frameworks?

The West's Rebranding of Eastern Culture​

There's a recurring pattern where Eastern cultural elements, like Yoga, gain significant commercial value when rebranded and marketed in the West, while remaining undervalued in their places of origin. This prompts reflection on why profitability seems to be validated primarily through a Western lens.

Safe Disclaimer: This discussion aims to spark a dialogue—not division. We respect all cultures and perspectives and believe open conversations can lead to truly inclusive global management.