New Joint Venture Focuses On IT Workforce and Cross-Cultural Teams.

Addressing cultural awareness and communication issues yields improved productivity

MINNEAPOLIS -- A majority of H-1B work visas today are approved for technology-related jobs workers are placed within US companies where they typically work alongside US nationals. However, oftentimes

Seeking to improve productivity in today's culturally diverse IT workforce, Concord Technology and ECCO International have launched Concord Multicultural Services (CMS). CMS delivers custom training to address diversity and cross-cultural sensitivities for businesses that have multi cultural teams working together on projects. Well-functioning diverse teams increase innovation and productivity. CMS will operate as a division of Concord Technology, a national leader in senior-level IT recruiting, staff augmentation, and consulting for IT strategies and applications.

Concord Multicultural Services is unique in its approach as it combines Concord Technology's IT management and field expertise with ECCO International's proven cross-cultural and diversity programs. The resulting multicultural training initiatives build communication competencies within a specific business' IT team. This helps the team increase their awareness of the need to understand and respect differences, and most critically provides them with tools to increase their ability to interact effectively across cultural and style differences.

"Today's reality is that global contract employees make a huge contribution to the IT profession. It is important for them to work effectively and comfortably with US nationals in team and supervisory roles," said Chris Davis, CEO of Concord Technology.

"This is a two-way street, in which everyone, whether a US-born citizen or someone from India who is here on an H-1B visa, will benefit from being educated on cultural influences that impact the way we deliver and receive direction on the job," said Amy Tolbert, Ph.D., CSP, founder of ECCO International, which helps individuals and organizations address today's global marketplace.

About Concord Technology

Minneapolis-based Concord Technology is a national leader in recruiting senior level IT talent with a broad range of skills, including software development, data management, quality assurance, business analysis and project management on a contract, contract-for-hire or direct-hire basis. In 2006, Concord Technology launched Concord Professional Services. The new division offers a more traditional consulting division, providing enterprise integration and service enablement consulting. Started in 2003, Concord Technology prides itself on providing responsive, creative and flexible service to its clients and consultants. For more information, visit www.concord-technology.com.

About ECCO International

ECCO (Effecting Creative Change in Organizations) International is dedicated to improving employee and organizational effectiveness and developing multicultural competence for clients in national and global markets. The focus of our involvement is on the continuous, long-term improvement of the workplace environment, and enhancing the quality, productivity and profitability of the organization.

ECCO International brings to its customers over 65 years of business acumen to draw on to meet your needs. Founded in 1990, ECCO International operates from its primary office in St. Paul, MN. For a complete listing of products, services, samples of tools and offerings, associate bios, and client results please refer to our web site at www.ECCOInternational.com.