Global Business: Working with ... Country Series
Charis global business training programs provide clients with the awareness, information, skills and resources to work effectively with colleagues, customers and suppliers around the world.

In the Working with ... Country Series participants learn how to conduct business across borders, with skills in leading teleconference meetings, negotiations, approaches to problem-solving and decision-making; presentations, email, interoffice communication, and hosting delegations. The courses cover core values, interpersonal relations across age, gender, rank and status; perceptions of time, work, and authority. In the Communication section, participants learn to recognize and adapt to different styles, including those which are more direct or ambiguous, organize information differently, vary in turn-taking, and exhibit new or unfamiliar strategies for influencing others.

Faux pas? No worries. Participants will be prepared for social protocol, making introductions and business card exchange, gift-giving and business entertainment. Linguistic and cultural cues for body language, helpful local phrases and naming conventions are covered. Important information for business travelers includes local laws, transportation, dining, and security issues they are likely to encounter.

These one-day programs are delivered by a country expert or bicultural team, and include video, lecture, experiential exercises (case studies, role plays, activities and simulations), multi-sensory input (flags, maps, music, artifacts) and application to participants’ projects or teamwork. Ethnic lunches can also be arranged. For leaders working with multiple countries or regions, see the Global Leader Competencies program.

International Relocation
Employees and their families, who are relocating to represent their company abroad, face many personal and professional challenges. Charis prepares employees and their family members to transition through the stages of cultural adjustment, recognize the resources and skills they can use to function effectively in their destination country’s culture, and gain personal and professional success from this international experience. Each Living and Working Abroad program is customized to the expatriate’s level of familiarity with the country, the concerns they have, and their interests in transitioning their lifestyle (fitness, faith centers, children’s or spouse’s activities, etc.) Programs are delivered only by professional intercultural trainers who have lived in the destination country (usually host country nationals) and have had several expatriate experiences themselves. Programs can include The International Profiler™ or the Cross Cultural Adaptability Inventory.

Participants enjoy a succinct overview of their destination country’s history and its impact on current politics, economics, religions, and lifestyle of the host country nationals. With insights to the cultural values of the major ethnic groups of the country, participants learn communication strategies that start relationships positively and avoid causing offense. Learn daily living essentials, including hiring and managing domestic help; shopping; interfacing with neighbors, school teachers and administrators; foods and dining; driving, transportation and police; social life, gift-giving and other items of etiquette. Gain up-to-date advice on health, medical, emergency, and security issues. Explore the local religions and beliefs, the related festivals or holidays, and gain insider recommendations for fun recreation and leisure activities.

Business training, on the second day, is dedicated to the challenges of managing and leading the organization while based in the assigned location, and integrating the corporate culture effectively with the local business practices. Among the topics covered are how business values, such as competition, innovation, risk taking, profit incentives, quality, customer orientation, accountability, valuing diversity, work/life balance, etc. are understood and practiced. Leaders learn how to gain feedback from subordinates who have a strong respect for hierarchy. Influencing others to gain buy-in and motivate performance are always key learning objectives of this program.

Please go to Living and Working Abroad for more business topics and details.

We welcome you to contact us at Charis Intercultural Training at info@chariscorp.com