Testimonials
"AppRiver approaches business with a focus on creating a positive customer experience from first contact to post-op support. In fact, the company provides around-the-clock customer care to more than 45,000 corporations around the globe with the objective that our clients achieve maximum value from our IT security services. In order to maintain consistently high levels of service, we require our staff to participate in continuing education programs designed to increase cross-cultural awareness and competencies.
I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Vicki Flier Hudson on several occasions. From “Presentation Zen” to “Cross-Cultural Competency” training courses, we continually seek out Highroad Global Services to augment internal communication flow and relationship-building skills across borders. I particularly enjoy how Vicki seamlessly incorporates AppRiver’s unique Phenomenal Customer Care™ principles into each lesson plan. The feedback is always overwhelming positive, not just from Appers, but from outside organizations as well. The Customer Service Institute of America, for example, recently recognized AppRiver for our exceptional customer service and named the company winner of its International Service Excellence Award. There is no doubt in my mind that Highroad Global Services helped us achieve this success."
- Michael Murdoch, President & CEO - AppRiver, LLC
MFG.com Sees Reduced Errors and Increased Revenues
Situation: A recent survey was conducted with MFG.com, an online marketplace that saves clients time and money by instantly matching a buyer's drawings and specifications to qualified suppliers. The survey asked MFG.com leaders and staff to describe the results they have seen since a series of global excellence programs were brought on site.
Results: Here is what the survey showed about the value this organization gained --
- 100% of those surveyed experienced improved communication flow, increased teamwork and improved relationships across borders.
- 75% of those surveyed experienced decreased errors, improved work processes and productivity
MFG.com's Senior VP of Global Business Development, Sherwin Krug, had this to say:
"We have seen increased profits and revenues since these programs. Our office in China has now grown to 100 plus employees and employees that travel now do so with greater ease and less fear of creating international incidents. International cooperation including friendships are now commonplace. Vicki is both highly personable and extremely knowledgeable on cross-cultural business and social customs. Her insight was both practical and helpful and will no doubt help the MFG.com team from creating "international incidents" as we continue to embark on our worldwide expansion. Vicki's has an engaging style and I would not hesitate to recommend her as a presenter to companies large and small."
An MFG.com staff member said this:
"Our product is released with fewer errors than before. Since training we have formed better relationships with our Chinese colleagues. We have general conversations with each other rather than just talking about work."
In November of 2009 Highroad Principal Consultant Vicki Flier Hudson spoke in at a conference in Pune, India on the following topic: “Connecting Worlds: Offshoring to India from the U.S. American Perspective – Strategies and Solutions” Here’s what some of her participants had to say after seeing this presentation:
“This was a very informative and effective session thanks to Vicki’s great usage of real life examples and pictures.”
“Insights FROM BOTH SIDES of the cultural divide looking into the communication issues facing the outsourcing world.”
“The case study and exercise used made sure that we all had practical take-aways from this session.”
“Vicki’s enthusiasm is great, she really made sure all her audience was engaged!”
"Vicki is a great trainer, speaker, and storyteller! Not only did she prepare superb visual aids and training activities for AppRiver’s Cross-Cultural Competency Training, but also customized in-class scenarios that helped to incorporate our unique Phenomenal Customer Care™ methodologies. In the weeks leading up to her visit, I had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Vicki. I helped her gather examples from various members of our management team for her to better understand the company’s culture and goals. This made her training initiatives even more relevant and meaningful to our employees. Her energy was inspiring, and each session offered tangible ways for students to implement the lessons learned. We are planning future sessions with Vicki to expand our cross-cultural competence in order to meet the needs of the clients we serve in the global marketplace."
- Gretchen Clarke, Director of Training & Development - AppRiver
"Ms. Flier, I would like to thank you for the superb experience that you have provided us today. I would say with confidence that this is the best cross-cultural presentation that I have ever experienced. Your passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject are admirable. The preparation, the flow, the pace, the materials, the clear communication, the professionalism, the sophistication, the confidence, the intellect, the effectiveness, the funny stories and the useful exercises were beyond any of my expectations. [This class] was a true eye opener!"
- Stefan Andretti, Senior Consultant, CGI
“It’s been said that ‘You can’t please all of the people, all of the time’, but our recent experience with Vicki Flier at our 2006 Global Meeting leaves us to question how this statement could be possibly be applicable to her flawless presentation of the Cross-Cultural Skills workshop. From over 80 guests, representing countries including Singapore, France, Germany, UK, US, Japan, China, Brazil and Mexico, we received no greater positive feedback during the 3-day meeting than at the close of the Cross-Cultural Skills workshop. The consensus of the group was that the training was a “real need, not a perceived need” and that Vicki gracefully delivered relevant information that would be useful in our day-to-day business interactions. Please extend our gratitude to Vicki for offering cultural enlightenment and providing the skills we need to improve our global interactions.”
- Damali Noel-Lockett, Marketing Communications Manager, Arch Chemicals
Yesterday I attended a training class in-house with Vicki Flier Hudson called India Insider: 10 Secrets to Successful Business With India. It was EXCELLENT -- one of the most beneficial classes I have attended here. I HIGHLY recommend this class for all our associates -- especially since we deal with Indian colleagues on a daily basis. This class addresses not only the cultural differences between Indians and Americans, but, more importantly, gives specific techniques and methods of improving our working relationships. You will come away with techniques you can employ immediately. I encourage you ALL to take this class. It will do MUCH to improve out working relationships.
- Karen C., class participant, Quality Assurance Lead
"I love the 4 Step Process. I've shared it with many of my leaders because not only can you use it for resolving cultural differences but interpersonal differences as well."
- Dan Sax, Human Resources, Intercontinental Hotels Group
"This was by far the most comprehensive and best presented class that I took for my TESOL certification. You raised the bar regarding our knowledge, and in doing so you raise the value of the certificate."
- Patricia Anzilotti Shaw, Kennesaw State University
“The world is figuratively shrinking but at the same time becoming more complex. Vicki Flier's stimulating and well organized workshops help shed cultural baggage and enable all to reveal more about themselves as well as people in other cultures. Everyone in the session I attended expressed awe and delight at the cultural insights gained and life changing attitudes learned.”
- Richard George, class participant, Air Force public affairs (ret.)
"In my time working with Vicki Flier, I have found her to be effective, diplomatic, dedicated and highly competent in cross-cultural business skills. Her education and training programs are invaluable."
- Traci Burnley, Supplier Management, Philips Medical Systems
"Vicki Flier Hudson facilitated a dialogue with panelists at the GE Energy – NAAAP Atlanta (National Association of Asian American Professionals) Asian Heritage Month program on May 6, 2010. Time appeared to go by so fast – and I believe it was because of the expert facilitation by Vicki. Vicki, you asked thought provoking and relevant questions about Asian American values and impact on work productivity. The dialogue was focused and Vicki drove home many learning messages garnered from the panelists. Vicki’s personal stories about cross cultural interactions were relevant and helpful. It was a successful program. Thank you, Vicki!"
- Fabian Rozario, President – National Association of Asian-American Professionals
"Thank you very much. We all learned a lot from your very interesting seminar! You are a great presenter and the material was fun, and very needed for everyone in this competitive world...especially all the interpreters."
- Cristina Franco, Atlanta Association of Interpreters and Translators
"Ms. Flier was a valuable resource to me and to the entire Distribution team. Her training programs, testing and follow up were professional, well planned and, most importantly, effective. As the largest and most diverse department at Immucor, the Distribution Department has employees of all colors, gender, ages and backgrounds. Through it all she found a way to provide quality training programs that produces effective and measurable results.
- Richard Renix, Customer Service Supervisor, Immucor Inc. , Norcross, Georgia
"You were a great help in making all the many pieces of our new puzzle fit into a picture. You turned theory into practice and ...always with patience and a smile."
- Elaine-Waering Schultz, Export Manager, Medizinische Diagnostik GmbH, Rodermark, Germany
"I really meant it when I said you are one of the best speakers I have been to see in a very long time!"
- Lindsey Giffin, International Business Society, University of Georgia
"Dear Vicki, With cross -cultural training gaining mainstream acceptance and as a major part of HR, the MBA students feedback showed that your talk and discussion on cross-cultural communication was interesting, very informative and gave them a better insight and understanding on using it as an effective communication tool. They look forward to meeting you again for more interaction."
Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with the MBA students.
- Dr.Chandra Niranjan, Dean, IBMR Business School, Bangalore, India
"Vicki, your session was very good and I would like to say that your engaging and inclusive style allowed the team to speak up and share their views openly. Also, your flexible approach gave us the space we needed to have a good conversation. We now have a better understanding of working in a virtual team environment. Thanks!"
- Ashish A., Team Lead for multinational consumer goods company, Mumbai, India
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