Who We Are
Culture Boleh Global Training PLT is a Malaysian/Canadian company with more than 20 years of local experience and cultural understanding. We specialize in building strong cohesive relationships between local Malaysians and international colleagues and clients. Our training is always practical and ensures all participants will be comfortable to learn and to share during our sessions. We believe that all organizations that embrace the cultural differences among their staff become stronger, more competitive and more profitable.
What We Do
We provide organizations as well as local and expatriate individuals with the awareness, understanding and skills needed to build lasting relationships with people of other cultures and backgrounds. We help organizations to develop a communication strategy that creates a Cultural Intelligence among their staff. With Cultural Intelligence, their staff will possess the skill set to communicate regionally or even globally. Cultural Intelligence will also enable them to effectively give global presentations and write proposals, reports or emails to global audiences.
How we can help you and your organization
By developing cross-cultural understanding and intelligence, your staff will save your organization time and money. Cross-cultural understanding and intelligence will ensure you build strong lasting business relationships with colleagues, clients and customers. We can help your staff spend less time explaining the meaning of what they write or correcting misunderstandings. Additionally, your staff will learn how to build trust, cooperation and a strong organizational culture of effective global communication.
About Our Logo
Our logo tells the story of the transformation of an individual from one culture who adapts to communicate and work with individuals from another culture. We could illustrate it this way: Imagine you are from Country Culture Yellow, but you have received a work assignment to Country Culture Blue. Your way of thinking, acting and communicating are totally different. However, you set out to learn and understand your new host country’s culture. Over time and with effort you embrace aspects of your new culture, but still keep your original cultural identity. What is the outcome? You become Green! You are able to communicate both socially and within the business environment in a way that demonstrates great cultural intelligence. You are truly successful in your new work assignment. Of course the same example could illustrate the transformation of a student studying overseas in a new culture. It could also equally apply to a single culture team working with a manager or team from a different culture. The point of our logo is that we stay true to ourselves, but at the same time embrace and adapt to our new cultural environment and ways. We USE THE GREEN APPROACH!
Our People
Managing Partner & Principal Trainer
Having lived predominantly in South-East Asia for the past 25 years, Martin has amassed an in-depth and detailed understanding of Asian culture, its rich diversity, and many nuances, having travelled to over 26 different countries. During this period, he has worked extensively in assisting others in developing a similar understanding and in cultivating communication skills that help bridge any perceived cultural divides. He has conducted at varying levels over 600+ coaching and training sessions designed to provide the education, cultural and moral betterment of the audience through more effective communication, and by providing individuals with the awareness, understanding and skills needed to build lasting relationships with people of other cultures and backgrounds. He is strongly motivated to help people to see their potential. He is also known as very effective public speaker, even developing an adult education course for Public Speaking for Belfast University, Northern Ireland.
“Martin knows what it’s like to adapt to a new culture. He hasn’t just studied it…he’s lived it.“
Country Experts
Adelina Mathews (Malaysia Country Expert & Global English Expert)
With over 20 years of experience in teaching and training at different universities and institutions in Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, and the US, Adelina is able to tap into a plethora of experiences in sharing, connecting and engaging with people from all walks of life. Having spent more than 10 years living and working outside her home culture of Malaysia, Adelina is keenly aware of what is needed in order to adapt to new cultures and build the right relationships. With her diverse background, Adelina’s main goal is to help her clients assimilate to new cultures and life experiences. She strives to help people understand and express their ideas clearly. She enjoys coaching, teaching and motivating them in the hopes that the skills they learn will help them push through challenges in life and work. Adelina has provided training in both the private and public sector for Malaysian, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Libyan nationals.
Eric Xu (China Country Expert)
Eric is an Associate Professor at ESSCA School of Management (Shanghai) and Shanghai University. With a career spanning France, Italy, and China, he has held senior leadership roles—including General Manager and Vice President—for multinational companies, focusing on team building, joint ventures, business development, and supplier networks. Since 2005, Eric has specialized in intercultural communication, delivering over 500 training and coaching programs for global clients across industries. His work supports international teams in mergers, system integrations, global rotations, and talent development. Eric holds degrees in International Trade (Nanchang University), Law (Hunan University), and an MBA in Euro-Asia Management from IAE Poitiers, France. He is a certified Global Mobility Specialist and accredited intercultural facilitator. A frequent attendee of the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication (Reed College), Eric speaks fluent Mandarin, English, and French.
Gaku Yoshimura (Japan Country Expert)
Having completed a 3 year course of study in Japanese Business Communication, Gaku has years of sales and advertising experience in the Japanese market. He is an expert in verbal and non-verbal business communication, having worked in Japan and other countries. He has enjoyed the opportunity to service major Japanese corporations as clients such as Canon, SHARP, Japan Airlines, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Yahoo! Japan. Gaku is also a certified Japanese language teacher and has taught in the language and education field for over 10 years. He currently teaches Japanese to international students undertaking their International Baccalaureate Diploma courses, and great attention is given to providing cultural awareness and understanding of the target language. In addition, Gaku serves as an interpreter and translator, providing services to international companies and organizations to help them successfully communicate with Japanese clients. He speaks fluent Japanese and English.
Anita Sachdev (North India Country Expert)
Anita is an Intercultural Consultant and coach, passionate about bridging cultures and transforming communication into meaningful connection. With a background in cultural psychology and global communication, her career spans leadership roles in top advertising agencies in Egypt and the UK, entrepreneurial ventures in New York, and nonprofit work in Canada. Originally from India, Anita lived and worked across the UK and North America for over two decades before returning to India in 2010. Since then, she has worked with global organizations to deliver cross-cultural training and leadership development for expatriates, Indian leaders, and multicultural teams. Anita empowers executives—from CEOs to department heads—to build global-local alignment and enhance collaboration across national and professional cultures. Her coaching approach fosters high-impact communication and individual performance, underpinned by her "wings and roots" philosophy, which blends global perspective with spiritual grounding. Her clients have included Unilever, L’Oréal Paris, Danone, GSK, Life Fitness, and Brookfield.
Áine Edwards (South India Country Expert)
Áine is a Senior Consultant with Aperian Global, based in Chennai, India, with over 10 years of experience in cross-cultural program management across the HR, pharmaceutical, and financial sectors in India, Ireland, and the UK. She brings expertise in project management, recruitment, and intercultural facilitation, particularly supporting UK–India business transitions. Áine has worked with clients such as ADP UK, Hilton, Regus, and EMI Records, and has professional experience in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Fluent in German, she completed an academic placement at Deutsche Bank AG. Alongside corporate consulting, she actively supports social initiatives in education, culture, and the environment. Áine holds a B.Sc. in Computer Applications and IT and has studied Project Management and Development Studies in Cork, Ireland.
Silke Irmscher (Indonesia Country Expert)
Silke is a certified Intercultural Trainer, Coach, and D&I advocate from Germany with over 15 years of experience in Indonesia. She helps individuals and teams build cross-cultural understanding, trust, and effective global leadership. Before founding her consultancy in 2012, Silke worked with GIZ across Indonesia. She now trains and coaches clients like Allianz, Bosch, Danone, and Siemens, using tools from intercultural science, positive psychology, and neuroscience. A Global DISC™ practitioner and Brain Gym® coach, Silke holds degrees in Business Management and Communication Psychology. She lives a multicultural life in Indonesia with her husband and two multilingual children.
Topic Experts
Celina Gan (Coloured Brian Communication Psychology Expert)
Celina Gan is an intercultural trainer and coach with over 20 years of experience across Asia and Europe. She delivers leadership, communication, and cross-cultural programs for multinational companies, government agencies, and universities, including Intel, Nestlé, Qatargas, the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office, and Regent’s University London. With a background in healthcare and law, Celina previously held legal advisory roles at BP Singapore and worked as a consultant in the UK, Spain, and Malaysia. Since 2012, she has focused full-time on training, known for her practical, engaging style that blends humor, real-world examples, and interactive learning. Celina is certified in Colored Brain Communication Psychology and Dynamic Speaking, helping clients build effective teams, expand leadership capacity, and navigate cultural complexity with confidence.
David W. Fingerote (Culturally Considerate Critical Thinking Workshop)
David is an experienced educator and trainer specializing in English language instruction. Since beginning his career in Southern California and relocating to Asia in 2006, he has worked with Ministries of Education and corporations across South Korea, the Philippines, and Malaysia. David brings over a decade of experience teaching learners of all ages and skill levels, with a focus on building confidence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. For the past four years, he has been based in Malaysia, partnering with the Ministry of Education and international firms on language training programs. Known for his adaptable approach and learner-centered methods, David is committed to lifelong learning and helping individuals communicate with clarity and confidence.
Young Yet (Malay Language for Expats)
Young began his passion for teaching Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language) some 17 years ago. Growing up in an environment where he is the only non-Malay kid in the neighbourhood has shaped his ability to understand the Malay language and culture right to its core. Young has extensive experience in teaching learners of all ages. His kind and patient demeanor in teaching is endearing to his many students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cross-cultural training?
It is training that provides you with the awareness, understanding and skills needed to communicate successfully with people of other cultures and backgrounds. Culture Boleh Global Training will generally focus on helping you cultivate Cultural Intelligence as a framework for ensuring you will stand out as an effective global communicator.
Why do I need cross-cultural training?
According to BBC, “the number one predictor of your success in today’s borderless world is not your IQ, not your resume, not even your expertise. It’s your Cultural Intelligence (CQ).”
What is the difference between cultural differences and personality differences?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and it is a very valid concern. The basic difference is that personality is based on a combination of an individual’s genetics, and for the most part, their upbringing. Culture on the other hand, is the shared values and beliefs groups of people hold on to and how those values and beliefs impact the way they behave and the environment they create. Culture can shape an individual’s personality; however, an individual’s personality wouldn’t shape the culture they have grown up in. Cultural groups can be national, generational, ethnic or even organizational.
What are some examples of cultural issues at work?
We write dozens of examples of cultural issues in our blog. Read about them and you may be surprised at how relatable these real-life scenarios are to you. Keep in mind that research shows that culture impact 70% of everything we do on a daily basis at home and in the workplace.
What courses do you offer?
Please CLICK HERE to view all our training programs. Our top two programs are Successfully Living and Working in Malaysia (for Expats) and Working Smart Globally with CQ.
Are all your programs related to culture training?
Yes. We always include a cultural element (related to your target culture) in all of our programs. We do this because we firmly believe that culture is what drives people. Therefore, if you are to achieve success in any aspect of your professional relationships with others, you must understand first, what drives them.
How can I know which program best suits my needs?
You may write to us at info@cultureboleh.com and provide us with your objectives, targeted training date(s) and number of participants. We will then propose a suitable course for you. Alternatively, you can CLICK HERE to view relevant programs by category.
How long are your training programs?
We generally offer 1-Day or 2-Day programs. For those with limited time to spare, we offer 2-hour Tea Talks that can be enjoyed over good coffee and yummy cakes or in some other setting preferred by you.
What is the difference between Public Programs and In-House Programs?
Anyone from the public can join our Public Programs which have been scheduled throughout the year. In-House Programs are specifically for organizations that would like a customized session for their staff.
Are you an HRDF certified training provider?
Yes, we are.
What kind of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, bank transfer and cheque payments.
What are your payment terms?
We require a 50% deposit two weeks before training, and the remainder to be paid within 30 days after completion of training.
Who are your existing clients?
We are trusted by individuals from the world’s most respected organizations. View our client lists or pop over to our Instagram page to check out photos and videos of past clients.
Why should I choose Culture Boleh Global Training PLT as a training provider?
We’ve spent 12 years training more than 10,000 individuals all over Malaysia with great results. Our trainers have an intimate knowledge of the cultures they train about and are authorities on the intercultural process. We also only work with trainers and coaches who have gone through the intercultural learning process themselves by living and working outside of their own culture for a minimum of five years. We know what we’re doing, and we do it well.
I’m interested in one of your programs. What do I do?
Send us the name of the program and your information through our Contact Form or email us at info@cultureboleh.com. We’ll be in touch soon after you hit send!
Clients & Testimonials
