Fons Trompenaars

Fons Trompenaars studied Economics at the Free University of Amsterdam and later earned a Ph.D. from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, writing his dissertation on the "difference in conceptions of organizational structure in various cultures." His acute awareness of cultural differences was further informed by his personal background, growing up speaking French and Dutch, as well as his professional experiences handling operations for the Royal Dutch Shell Group across nine different countries.

He is the author and co-author of 13 books, including "Riding the Waves of Culture, Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business." This book, which has sold over 20,000 copies and been translated into 16 languages, is celebrated for its deep insight into intercultural management in the emerging global village. The Dutch translation of "Riding the Waves of Culture" was honored as “Book of the Year” by the Order of Experts and Consultants on Organization (OOA). Trompenaars has also co-authored "Seven Cultures of Capitalism," adding to his reputable publications in the field.

Trompenaars is not only the founder and director of Trompenaars Hampden-Turner, a consultancy firm specializing in intercultural management, but also a distinguished consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker recognized globally for his expertise. His firm has spent over 30 years assisting Fortune 500 leaders and professionals in managing and resolving business and cultural dilemmas. Additionally, Trompenaars developed the "Trompenaars’ model of national cultural differences" and the "Seven Dimensions of Culture Model," analytical tools that have refined how organizations address cultural diversity. He is a visiting professor for the international MBA Programme at the Erasmus University - Rotterdam School of Management and his contributions to the field have been recognized with awards such as the International Professional Practice Area Research Award by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Trompenaars' thought leadership was further acknowledged when he was listed in the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame in 2017. Recently, he delivered a TEDx Talk titled "Riding the waves of culture" at TEDxAmsterdam, where he shared his insights on leveraging cultural differences for superior business performance.