Worldprism Profiler

An in-depth profiling tool that allows users to identify their own cultural orientations, compare themselves with others, and identify appropriate strategies for working effectively with the differences.

Who can benefit?

There are three levels of user for the Worldprism Profiler. First, individuals who manage and/or interact with different cultures through such business roles as: global business developer, manager of global accounts, global team member or leader, interface with foreign clients, merger and acquisition manager, or potential expatriate. Secondly, cross-border teams who can increase awareness of differences among members, and, thirdly, organisations who can profile their dominant organizational culture.

How does it help the user?

Individuals can benefit greatly from increased self-awareness, and from the guidance the tool offers on how to recognise and work with people with different cultural orientations. This can help enormously in, for example, cross-border project work or sales. By everyone on a team completing the Worldprism Profiler, team members can quickly become attuned to differences and how they could be used to add value to the work of the team. Organizations can benefit in a number of ways. For example, when organizations are partnering with one another, a proactive comparison of cultural profiles can highlight areas that could cause tension in the relationship.

How long does it take to complete?

The online questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete.

How does it work?

Data gathering:
Users complete an online questionnaire and submit the results to TMA World for processing. Individuals receive an online personal culture profile, and guidance on how to recognise and work with cultural orientations other than their own. Team members receive individual profiles plus a team profile highlighting key areas of difference. Organizations receive a profile compiled from all individual questionnaire submissions.

Comparison:
Individual users contrast their own cultural profiles with those of selected national profiles. Team members can do the same although the emphasis is on comparing differences with the group. Organizations can compare themselves with subsidiaries, partners, or even markets, in order to develop strategies for success.

Application:
If the Worldprism is used in the context of a programme such as DIVERSITYworks, users apply the tool as they are facilitated through a cross-cultural effectiveness process. Online, users can apply their understanding of the tool to a range of international business scenarios.