NewtonX is a business-to-business market research company that leads the industry. Serving clients on six different continents with names as universally recognized as Google and Microsoft, this company truly personifies the modern direction of interaction with an international base. As NewtonX’s Head of Client Delivery, Kurt Schulze is responsible for leading the global expansion of the company’s service capabilities. Mr. Schulze oversaw the hiring and establishment of NewtonX’s London office and presently manages and oversees this office in addition to the Mumbai and New York offices. In addition to his impressive resume which boasts employers such as Goldman Sachs, Kurt has spent his professional life in many different parts of the world since leaving his homeland of South Africa. Regarding his intuitive comfort zone for a global perspective, Kurt states, “I consider myself very lucky to have been raised in a highly diverse upbringing with extensive travel. An Austrian father, a Scottish mother, born and raised in South Africa, a country with eleven official languages, where I attended the German School. Post university I was at the Boston Consulting Group where I worked on projects across Africa and Europe, further diversifying my understanding of different cultures and business settings. In addition to all of this, I’m an avid traveler who has visited forty-two countries and has lived on four continents. This highly diverse upbringing has given me an intimate understanding of different cultures and motivators.”
In real-life and on paper, Mr. Schulze was the perfect person to take on this role at NewtonX. His business pedigree includes a Wharton MBA complemented by his time at world leading global institutions including the Boston Consulting Group (one of the most prestigious management consulting companies in the world), Goldman Sachs (the world’s most pre-eminent investment bank) and leading strategy & operations at THE YES (a successful e-commerce company that was later acquired by Pinterest). Born to an internationally diverse home and fluent in multiple languages, Kurt has worked all across Europe. As both a consultant and a founding member of successful start-ups, he has an impressively successful track record. Kurt saw the potential in taking on his role at NewtonX as invigorating for both the company and himself stating, “Managing offices across New York, London, and Mumbai presents an exhilarating challenge that goes beyond the norm. My mission is to weave a cohesive corporate culture that not only spans continents but also respects and incorporates the unique geographic cultures where we operate. This endeavor demands ongoing investment, both in terms of resources and commitment, to ensure our global team feels connected, valued, and part of a unified mission.” He continues, “The key demand in navigating these differences is the constant effort required to foster a culture that’s globally inclusive yet locally relevant. This means creating spaces for global connection opportunities that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. We leverage a number of recurring global meetings, to bridge the physical distance between our offices. Regular virtual meet-ups and social events, cross-office project teams, and digital cultural exchanges are just a few ways we ensure everyone is aligned and feels part of the broader NewtonX family. We also host global offsite retreats which are a wonderful way for people to reconnect in person and build connection.”
Unquestionably, the demands for such a scenario are high. Not the least of these is collaboration across significant time zone differences. There are cultural aspects which might seem subtle on the surface but are essential to establishing an environment where others feel seen and heard. Local regulations differ from location to location and must be adhered to. Aspects such as the recognition of culturally significant holidays are aspects that must be recognized and navigated. Kurt Schulze sees the unique factors of each individual part of NewtonX as contributing to a greater sense of cohesiveness rather than points of division. He remarks, “In essence, the demands of managing such a geographically and culturally diverse team require a proactive approach to fostering a shared culture. It’s about investing time and resources into making every team member, regardless of where they are in the world, feel connected to our core values while also celebrating the unique contributions they bring to the table. This ongoing investment in our people and culture is what keeps us globally relevant and continuously enriches our corporate ethos. Leveraging the different cultures within our organization to grow and evolve our corporate culture is a critical aspect. We actively encourage the exchange of ideas and perspectives that reflect our team’s geographic diversity. This has led to innovative solutions and practices that are globally relevant and sensitive to local nuances. For instance, our approach to problem-solving now incorporates a broader range of strategies, inspired by the diverse business environments we operate in.”
Writer : Basil Thomson