A recent addition to the group of researchers is Erin Meyer, whose empirical model is based on interviews with executives with no fixed questionnaire or validation. Her 8 cultural dimensions are focused on cultural differences in the workplace and its managerial and practical approach struck a chord in the market. Business leaders have a need for understanding cultural differences on a pragmatic, not a theoretical, level, and for advice on how to improve their communication, their leadership styles and their negotiation skills in order to achieve organizational goals in an international setting. Meyer has developed a Country Mapping Tool, which is basically the same as Hofstede’s. The visual form of Meyer’s 8 dimensions is that of a horizontal pattern of index points in comparison with Hofstede’s vertical bar graph pattern. Meyer also developed a Personal Profile tool based on 24 questions and a Team Mapping tool which allows people to compare their personal profiles.

Meyer claims you can improve relationships by considering where you and international partners fall on each of these 8 scales:

1. Communicating: explicit vs. Implicit, low context and high context.
2. Evaluating: direct negative feedback vs. indirect negative feedback
3. Persuading: deductive vs. Inductive. Focusing on theories and complex concepts versus practical application first.
4. Leading: egalitarian vs. hierarchical
5. Deciding: consensual vs. top down
6. Trusting: task (legal system) vs. relationship
7. Disagreeing: confrontational vs. avoid confrontation
8. Scheduling: structured vs. flexible