Loved the book because it is a compelling and insightful exploration of global business practice through the lens of cultural intelligence. Drawing on decades of first-hand experience across more than 100 countries, Foster blends vivid storytelling with practical lessons that resonate with both seasoned executives and emerging leaders. The book goes beyond surface-level etiquette, revealing how subtle cultural cues, values, and unspoken norms shape negotiation, collaboration, and trust in international contexts. Each chapter delivers an engaging mix of personal anecdotes and actionable insights, making complex cross-cultural concepts immediately applicable. Foster’s deep expertise ensures the narrative remains both accessible and authoritative. This advanced reader copy showcases a rare combination of entertainment and education, offering a rich resource for anyone seeking to navigate today’s interconnected world with confidence, adaptability, and genuine cultural respect.

This is a business book written in the style of a memoir with every chapter at the end including a succinct list/description of the key takeaways. Personally, as a person from a pretty non-business background, I found this book very easy to digest and the stories quite engaging. I thought the cultural nuances were well illustrated in a kind and comedic manner. All of the stories were descriptive and vivid, but I particularly enjoyed the story about the colleague in Brussels. I think there’s a story here for everyone, as they highlight aspects of culture that are the smaller details that could be taken for granted (I had never previously thought about the American attempt to strive to find commonality or pulling people into their camp).
Particularly enjoyed the commentary of one of the final chapters reaffirming the relevance of understanding different cultures even if people may have influences of more than one. Highly recommend!

This is a good book for anyone who needs to interact with people outside their own culture, and also a great way of thinking about how your own local culture fits in along each of the ranges Foster talks about. Things that seem just normal and friendly, or responsible, or chaotic may be great in the right cultural context, and stubbornly insisting on your own way in the face of a wall of cultural norms is often futile (and rude). Some chapters are better than others- the one on Belgium didn't really work- but the rude unsent letter Foster penned for the California waiter illustrated to me just how ingrained our cultural norms are. Just reading it made me bristle on the waiter's behalf, against the onslaught from such a rude guest while the waiter was just doing his job, correctly, aside from the missing fork (which might have been missed by whoever had that table before shift-change, or whatever).
If you know a lot of people from other places, or travel much, many of these insights may not be all that new, but it is still interesting to see them all in one place, laid out in a more organized manner.

Business Beyond Borders is a sharp and engaging look at what it really means to work across cultures in today's global business world. Dean Foster brings decades of experience to the table. Instead of bogging things down with theory, he tells stories, real ones that show just how important cultural understanding is when doing business internationally.

From escaping an earthquake in Mexico City to navigating the complexities of authority in the Middle East or social dynamics in Cuba, each story pulls you in and teaches you something concrete about how different cultures operate. These aren't abstract lessons; they're things you can actually use. Foster doesn't just describe the differences; he shows how they play out in real-life situations, whether you're managing teams, negotiating deals, or simply trying to avoid making the wrong move in a foreign boardroom.

One of the standout ideas for me was just how much mindset matters. It's easy to think the way we do things is "normal," but Foster makes it clear that what's normal in New York might be totally off in Rio or Beijing. Whether it's how people approach time, authority, communication, or even their thought process (linear vs. holistic), these cultural dynamics are critical if you want to succeed globally.

I appreciated how readable and practical the book is. The "golden rules" at the end wrap things up nicely, but it's the stories that really stick. They make you think twice about your own assumptions and encourage you to adapt, rather than just expecting others to meet you where you are.

All in all, Business Beyond Borders is informative, relevant, and surprisingly fun to read. If you're working in an international environment or plan to, this book is worth your time.

Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Business for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.