Connecting Cultures: Learnings from APCO’s Global Exchange Program 

Do you ever find yourself at a hawker center, eating Hainanese chicken rice in the thick of an 8-minute thunderstorm, talking about the 2024 super-election year with a colleague you’ve worked with for three years but never met in person? Welcome to APCO’s Global Exchange Program—a unique initiative that allows employees to work in different APCO offices around the world.  

I traveled from Chicago to Singapore where I was hosted by my colleague, Gemma Kyle. She supported me in my travel planning, connecting me with colleagues in Southeast Asia ahead of my visit and showed me some of the hippest spots on the island. My two-week adventure flew by, but the value of spending time on the ground in another market continues to prove invaluable.  

Here are a few key takeaways from our shared time in Singapore:  

Internal Development of Our Network

Alyse: As a visitor, I didn’t quite know what to expect after landing in the world-famous Singapore Changi Airport. During my stay, Gemma facilitated several meet-and-greet discussions, where I had the opportunity to exchange views with colleagues from Singapore and the regional team, including Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea. We had much to talk about following the reelection of Donald Trump and the global challenges and opportunities that may result for our clients. Having the chance to speak face to face was key in building stronger relationships and understanding the diverse perspectives and capabilities within our global team. Beyond learning from my colleagues, I formed friendships through similar ice cream orders and collaborative planning of where my Singapore adventure would take me next!  

Gemma: As a host, I am continually amazed by the willingness of colleagues to travel so far—24 hours no less—to spend time in a country barely visible on a world map. This eagerness speaks volumes about the ‘global mindset, local roots’ ethos that defines APCO. Alyse’s visit has not only strengthened the bond between our Southeast Asia and Chicago offices but has provided a bridge into North America. She has introduced us to senior leaders across the region, integrated us into global discussions on the U.S. presidential transition and shared new approaches to client servicing and business development. Through her visit, we’ve gained more than just insights; we’ve cultivated a thought partner, an advocate for our team and a navigator for reaching untapped expertise within our global network.  

Learning About Cultural Nuances

Alyse: Visiting neighborhoods like Little India, Kampong Glam and Chinatown, I was struck by the variety of rich cultures that define Singapore—it’s a celebration of diverse histories and traditions coexisting and thriving in one global hub. This mirrors the broader Southeast Asia region, where diversity is both a strength and a guiding principle. 

As the region evolves, businesses are shifting toward more intentional and personalized strategies, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer viable. To navigate this landscape effectively, it’s important to be educated: understand the region’s history, the interplay of its diverse cultures and religions and how global policies influence the aspirations and goals of each Southeast Asian country.  

Gemma: As the saying goes, you can never truly know a place until you live there. And while two weeks may be brief, the immersion is supercharged through daily exchanges with local colleagues. This exposure offers a window into the values, lived experiences and historical narratives that shape the outlook of a country and its people. Singaporeans—and Asians more broadly—are relationship-oriented in business. They prefer to cultivate long-lasting partnerships as opposed to sealing a quick deal. Sharing favorite dishes at the hawker center is a national pastime and a natural way to establish connections and trust. By grasping these subtleties, you are better placed to interpret local responses to global events.  

Providing Holistic Counsel to Our Clients

Alyse: These cultural experiences are not just meaningful on a personal level; they are important to our ability to work together as One APCO, providing informed counsel to our clients. I now have direct connections with APCO colleagues who are deeply immersed in Southeast Asia’s tech and healthcare policy sectors—two rapidly evolving industries that are deeply rooted in the region and whose challenges increasingly influence Western companies. 

By grasping local nuances, we can create strategies that are not only more effective but also culturally informed and respectful. It’s inspiring to see how much we can learn from each other and how these shared insights shape our understanding of the complex challenges our clients face. 

Gemma: We are an American firm, and the United States plays a vital role in Southeast Asia—diplomatically, militarily, economically and culturally—but approaching the region (or any other) through a purely U.S.-centric lens risks oversimplifying its complexity and doing a disservice to our clients. Many of the multinational corporations we work with depend on our ‘glo-cal’ perspective to safeguard their operations in dynamic and heterogeneous markets. These clients rely on us to provide a nuanced understanding of the diverse factors—which include history, culture and religion – that shape emerging risks and opportunities here and elsewhere. The Global Exchange Program strengthens our ability to deliver holistic counsel by forging connections with colleagues who possess firsthand market knowledge and by deepening our appreciation for different cultural norms.      

Global Mindset, Local Roots

The Global Exchange Program exemplifies the spirit of One APCO, fostering connections that transcend borders and strengthen our collective expertise. By immersing ourselves in different markets, we gain firsthand insights into how local cultures, histories and values shape operating environments. These experiences are invaluable in enhancing our ability to offer more informed and culturally aware counsel to clients navigating diverse and dynamic regions, such as Southeast Asia.