10 Sep. Cultural Competence is not a nice-to-have – it is Critical to Success

Molly, you are a true boundary-crosser between cultures, industries, and disciplines – a Sino-Malaysian by birth, a trained chemist, and a passionate intercultural trainer. What led you onto this path?
I have always been fascinated by how people from different cultures work together – and why it sometimes fails. During my time as a chemist, I was involved in various industrial and research projects in Southeast Asia, in places such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta. I realized that it is not enough to understand the technical processes – one must also keep cultural differences in mind. That’s how my desire to build bridges between cultures was born.

What exactly do you offer today?
I support companies with intercultural competence training in German-Asian collaboration. A particular focus for me is onboarding and the long-term retention of international professionals. Another key area is building trust and fostering effective communication in international project teams.

Which countries do you mainly work with?
My focus is on China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam – and, of course, Germany.

Your background is not “only” cultural, but also technical. What role does your scientific experience play today?
A very significant one! As a scientist, I speak the language of technology – and I understand the interconnections in industrial processes. This understanding helps me design trainings that are practical, relevant, and tailored to the realities of technical companies.

How did things continue for you after moving to Germany?
Here I studied Southeast Asian Studies and Psychology and then gained experience in the marketing department of an automotive company. There, I was involved in developing go-to-market strategies for the Asia-Pacific region. I also taught in the master’s program “Automotive” at Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences – with a focus on international team leadership.

What are your current training and consulting areas of focus?
Intercultural competence training in German-Asian collaboration
Trainings on integration and trust-building in intercultural contexts
“Fit for Germany” programs for professionals and executives from Asia
Team coaching and team development for international project teams
Onboarding and long-term retention of international professionals

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