Intercultural consulting · Geneva
Bridging cultures. Connecting people.
Every culture runs on unwritten rules. We help expatriates and families, athletes and clubs, leaders and businesses decode them, so they can settle in, perform and work together across borders.
It is by discovering other cultures that we truly understand our own.
What we do
Three ways we bridge cultures
01 · Expat Life
How we help you feel at home
A new country brings new codes at work, at school and in everyday life. Here is where we make the difference.
Swiss workplace culture
A 9:00 meeting means 9:00 sharp. Decisions take time, and feedback is often subtle. We help you decode communication styles, hierarchy, consensus-driven decisions and the differences between French- and German-speaking Switzerland. Work with confidence and build lasting trust.
Family integration & school support
Children become independent early, lunch may mean going home, and friendships take time to build. We help families find their place, from the Swiss school system and teacher expectations to local traditions and community life. Because feeling at home is about more than having an address.
Embracing Geneva's social life
In Switzerland, friendships often grow through shared activities, and an invitation home is a meaningful step. We help you find your place, from associations and sports clubs to traditions like the Escalade and summer swims at the Bains des Pâquis. Build genuine connections that last.
Everyday customs
Shops close early, Sundays are quiet, and even the shared laundry room may run on a schedule. We help you understand greetings, recycling, neighbourhood etiquette, administration, healthcare and work-life balance. Less confusion, and more confidence to enjoy life in Geneva.
Where and how
Coaching that fits your life
In person anywhere in the Geneva area, or online from wherever you are, even before you move.
02 · Sports Cross-Cultural
Breaking barriers. Building athletes. Elevating careers.
Talent travels, but culture doesn't always follow. A new league, a new coach, a new language: many international moves stall not on the field, but off it. We connect athletes, clubs, agents and universities across countries, and help everyone adapt so performance follows.
Talk about your projectUS college pathway
Guiding European athletes toward NCAA and NAIA programs, from first contact with coaches to adapting to American campus life.
International transfers
Helping athletes and their families settle in a new country, language and club culture, so the move works off the field too.
Clubs & multicultural teams
Workshops for coaches and staff to integrate foreign players faster and turn a mix of cultures into one team.
Agents & connections
Bridging athletes, agents and clubs across Europe, South America and the US, in their own language.
03 · Organizations & Leadership
When business spans cultures, results depend on understanding
A silence taken as agreement. A direct "no" taken as an insult. A deadline that meant "roughly" to one side and "exactly" to the other. Most business problems start as small cultural misunderstandings. We help organizations catch them early.
Cross-cultural communication & leadership
One manager's honest feedback is another colleague's public embarrassment. Training that helps leaders and staff communicate clearly, resolve conflicts and lead across cultures.
Global business strategy
What wins clients in one market can fall flat in the next, not because of the price, but because of how it's presented. We adapt your approach to local expectations without losing your global goals.
Business etiquette & client relations
First names or titles? Straight to business or coffee first? Small details decide whether a first meeting turns into a second one. We decode them, from first contact to long-term client relationships.
Remote & international workforces
On a video call, silence can mean agreement, hesitation or disagreement, depending on who's on the line. Practical strategies to manage remote staff across time zones, languages and working styles.
About me
Marcelo Simeone
Founder, CultureLink Consulting · International Management · Hospitality · Entrepreneurship
My understanding of cultures wasn't developed in a classroom. Born in Brazil with Uruguayan and Italian roots, I left for Kentucky at 16 to study and work, and have since lived and worked in nine countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia.
I helped open three hotels in Indonesia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, recruiting local teams to welcome guests from more than 65 nationalities. In Geneva since 2002, I have spent fifteen years in events, working alongside international companies, NGOs and expats.
I've been the newcomer many times, and as the father of a student-athlete in the US, I've lived it from the family side too. That is what I bring to every client: perspective, practical guidance and real experience, in six languages.
Intercultural management wasn't a concept I studied. It was a responsibility I lived every day.
How it works
Three simple steps
You work directly with me, from the first conversation to the last session.
A first conversation
We talk about your situation, your goals and what feels difficult right now, with no commitment.
A tailored plan
I propose a format that fits you: individual coaching, family sessions, a workshop for your company, or a mix.
Support along the way
In person or online, I'm with you as questions come up, until things feel natural.
For HR & global mobility teams
Help your international hires settle in and perform sooner
Tailored onboarding support for employees and their families relocating to Switzerland, from workplace codes to schools and everyday life. Programs scoped to your needs.
Ready to bridge the gap?
Expat, athlete, club or company: let's talk about your situation and see how we can help.