About Us

Cultural IQ

Fostering Connections, Embracing Diversity

About Cultural IQ and her team of China Experts

PROFILE - Christine Gao

Ms Christine Gao brings over 18 years of professional experience in international trade and business development. She has witnessed and actively participated in China’s transition from a planning economy to a marketing economy under a reform known as the Open Door Policy.

MISSION STATEMENT

Ms. Gao’s focus is to assist organizations and individuals, through consulting, coaching, Cultural IQ seminars and workshops, to develop an understanding of the Chinese culture and the business opportunities within the Chinese market. Her experience covers:

Co-Owner CSC, Beijing, China

Prior to arriving in Canada in 2006, and forming Cultural IQ, Christine was co-owner of Creative Solution Consultation Limited in Beijing, China. Her company managed projects and was an exclusive agency for European and North American companies doing business in China including one of the largest automation and testing equipment producer in the world, Bodine Automation, Connecticut.

Chief Representative, Chinaway Engineering Limited, Beijing

Christine joined Chinaway Engineering Limited, a Hong Kong based company in 1998. As Chief Representative of this import and export consulting enterprise, her duties included: maintaining business relationships with European and North American manufacturing clients; evaluating competitiveness of client products/solutions; the development of relevant marketing that references the need of the Chinese market and management of the Chinaway Beijing office and sales force.

Project Manager, China National Machinery I & E Corporation (CMC)

Christine’s experience here includes project manager for one of the state-owned enterprises under China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing. She managed the commercial component of purchasing contracts and projects covering a wide range of sectors including light and heavy industry, automotive ( Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen) as well as textile machinery and shipbuilding industries. She has travelled extensively in her role throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and North America.

Education

Christine holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology. She has the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from International Coach Federation (ICF).

PROFILE - Terry Pringle

Terry Pringle is President of Champion Resources, an organization that builds leadership skills and organizational accountability through management training and consulting.

Terry has a background as an executive with national and international manufacturing organizations where his areas of expertise include: finance, strategic planning, and human resources. Since 1995, he has been assisting organizations with their development of leadership and teamwork, with training workshops using “Accelerated Learning”, a more effective method of changing behaviours and getting business results.

Terry holds designations as a Fellowship Certified Management Accountant, Certified Human Resources Professional and a level 3 National Coaching Certificate. He has extensive provincial committee and Board experience in roles as executive and chairperson. Terry has been featured in the Globe and Mail for his advice to businesses on human resource management practices and travels throughout Canada speaking at conferences about “Bridging the Generation Gaps”.

Terry also volunteers his time as the Coordinator for The Children’s Wish Foundation in Ontario.

Contact Terry at terry@champion-resources.ca

PROFILE - Lou Bergner

Lou Bergner is a Project Management Professional and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration. He has more than 15 years of project management experience implementing and administering small to medium sized projects in a several countries and industries. He trains and mentors in project management and business analysis best practice.

Lou combines his extensive international experience with his general and project management expertise and a thorough understanding of how information technology can streamline business processes and provide critical information to managers.

Lou holds an MBA in Finance and Computer Systems from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and a BA degree in Economics and International Relations from Lake Forest College, in Lake Forest, Illinois. He is also a certified Project Management Professional.

“If one understands a cultures’ values, one understands a people.“

Following many years of her experience working with European and North American businesses, Christine Gao founded Cultural IQ following her innate passion for sharing and learning. Been there, done that, plus a unique background of international business, coaching and training, Christine and her team of China experts are ready to work with you in helping you take the first step towards accessing the China market.

China is a nation of strategies. One of the must-read books for Chinese people is 36 Strategies. Whether it’s doing business in China, or accessing the Chinese market here in North America, do you have a Strategy?

We are here to help.

Learn more about our “Accessing the China Market Seminar” and Cultural IQ Learning seminars, or contact us for a FREE consultation session for your specific needs.