Understanding cultural differences between seemingly similar cultures

Recently, a friend of mine was meeting with a realtor to begin the process of selling their home. The real estate agent suggested that by spending about $20,000 making a few updates (refacing the kitchen cabinets, installing new counter tops and replacing the shower in the master bathroom, along with some painting) they would be able to start listing the home $125,000 more than they would be able to otherwise. 

That somewhat minor investment ultimately did payoff, as they actually sold the home at about $150,000 more than where they thought they would be listing it originally without having the work done. You might conclude that it was a very nice return on investment.

Similarly, Darcy Roehling from Aperian Global points out that it works the same way when a company makes an investment into an expatriate. By providing cultural training to help prepare them for an assignment, even when seemingly the two locations seems similar, the return can be dramatic. 

She states, "An assignee who recognizes and understands these relatively subtle gaps will be more effective on assignment in comparison to an assignee who underestimates the differences or isn’t aware they exist."