Globalisation has increased the need for managers and investors to develop a strong understanding of how boards in different countries operate, but to date there's been little insight into the modus operandi of boards in different cultures. In a global economy, surprises lurk at every turn and speaking the same language offers no ready reckoner. "Everyone who wants to invest in a US company or to hire a CEO from the US to run an organisation in another country must understand how US businesses are run," emphasises Rosemary Howard, executive director of AGSM Executive Programs.