One of the most fun projects that I had the pleasure working on while I worked for large personal computer company was developing robust strategies for engaging different cultures on the web.

I was asked to investigate how to be “culturally sensitive” with our brand, products, and web technology. The findings were revolutionary for me.

What happened was that I began to see web development and design as more culturally-specific than I had ever done previously; what “worked” in one culture was a terrible implementation in another. Everything from location of text, alignment of images, navigational schemata, and color coordination and patterns all affected the browsing experience.

This really shouldn’t have been a surprise to me. But, the evidence was so overwhelmingly convincing. And we, the Church, need to pay attention.

As we attempt to reach many in the online landscape we’re going to naturally “bump” into many different people, and as a result, many different cultures. Are you communicating, either explicitly or implicitly, in such a way that is understandable and easy to apprehend?

Perhaps a greater question is whether we need to or need to be responsible for it all? Perhaps there’s wisdom in engaging the culturals that we’re more closely aligned and understand? I’m not sure on both, to be quite frank.

In any case, the market place knows a thing or two about being culturally sensitive. Take a look at 7 Billion People (7bpeople.com) and their “demo” on the top right. They visually showcase how their eCommerce solution can be tailored to the different cultures that you’re attempting to market towards. It’s absolutely brilliant.

If the secular business world’s “got” it, shouldn’t we?