Stephan Branch, Founder and CEO of World Trade Resource (Source: World Trade Resource)
Dr. Stephan M. Branch, Founder and CEO of World Trade Resource (WTR), announces a book on cultural competency, a field he has spent decades shaping. Published in hardback, audio, and digital editions, and distributed globally, the book “Cultural Intelligence in the 21st Century: Driving Inclusion, Revenue, and ESG” has already reached readers in more than 50 languages.
“This book represents years of lived experience,” said Dr. Branch. “I have worked on five continents and across more than 50 countries. What I have seen time and again is that cultural competency is not optional; it is the key to unlocking leadership potential and business success in today’s global economy.”
The book blends personal storytelling with a practical workbook-style structure, making it accessible to executives, students, and leaders at every stage of their careers. It also incorporates the proprietary competency model Dr. Branch developed through WTR. The model provides organizations with tools to measure, analyze, and build cultural competency among teams, ensuring businesses can thrive across diverse markets and geographies.
Contributions from some of the leaders at organizations further enrich the text. These chapters share experiences of navigating cultural complexities in places as diverse as China, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States. “I wanted the book to go beyond theory,” Dr. Branch explained. “It had to be about performance, sales, strategy, operations, and brand. Cultural competency drives the bottom line.”
The inspiration to write the book came from his clients, who urged him for years to put his insights into writing. “For large organizations, it’s not feasible to send thousands of employees to consulting sessions,” Dr. Branch said. “They wanted a roadmap. This book gives them that roadmap, and in many ways, it gives it all away. If someone reads it from start to finish and really studies it, they won’t need to call me in.”
The book’s creation also reflects his personal dedication. Dr. Branch spent a summer on Skopelos Island in Greece, taking time away with his family to focus on writing. “The hardest part is starting,” he recalled. “But once I began telling stories from my career, the ideas flowed. The competency model only came later, halfway through, when I realized the book needed to be as practical as it was personal.”
While the book has found a place in university libraries around the world, its true legacy, Dr. Branch hopes, will be inside organizations themselves. “Every major corporation has global talent development teams. My dream is that this book becomes their go-to guide for preparing future leaders,” he said. “If it can save leaders time, energy, and costly mistakes, and help them realize their full potential, then it’s done its job.”
The book is already fueling conversations through live and virtual chats, where executives and managers can engage directly with Dr. Branch. “What excites me most is seeing companies implement ideas right away,” he added. “That’s the impact cultural competency can have; it’s immediate, practical, and transformative.”
For business leaders navigating global markets, this book is not just a recommended read; it is quickly becoming an indispensable tool for growth and inclusion. For Dr. Branch, the point is clear: “It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about flexing. Sometimes just a small adjustment in how you build relationships or manage hierarchies can unlock extraordinary success.”
Media Contact
Name: The World Trade Resource Team
Email: [email protected]
