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| Living & Working Abroad |
| Expatriate Cross-Cultural Orientations |
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| Synopsis: |
Employees and their families who are relocating to represent their company abroad face many personal and professional challenges. Understanding the stages of the cross-cultural transition process, and recognizing the resources and skills to function effectively in another culture, are essential elements in the success of an international assignment.
Participants will build their knowledge to get their daily living needs met, and work successfully with local customers, suppliers, and co-workers in their destination country. One-day (cultural adjustment, living, intro to business) and two-day (in-depth business training) programs are available.
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| Goals: |
Participants will gain awareness, knowledge and skills for cultural adjustment, cross-cultural communication, business and social practices in their destination country. |
| Training Content - Participants will learn: |
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Intercultural Dynamics: |
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Explore the "invisible baggage" of cultural values, perception, attitudes, and behavior each expatriate takes with them |
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Assess the expat's strength in 4 areas which are key to effectiveness in another culture: emotional resilience, flexibility/openness, perceptual acuity, and personal autonomy |
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Cultural Adjustment: |
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Identify the 5 stages in the cultural adjustment process, and receive tips for making the most of each stage |
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Counsel spouses on the special challenges they may encounter |
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Strategize for a successful reentry to the company for the employee, and to schools, work and community for the family
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| c) |
Destination Country: |
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Introduction: cultural values, history, language, politics, religion, and education. |
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Business Practices
- Business practices: management styles, managing local employees and vendors/constractors
- Manager-employee relations; hierarchy
- Decision-making, problem-solving processes, business meetings
- Communication and presentation style
- Business socializing: dining and hosting
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Social Practices
- Shopping, dealing with local customs and shop hours
- Etiquette, hosting, being a guest, gift-giving
- Holidays, festivals, local superstitions
- Recreation and leisure (customized to expatriates' interests)
- Local services: transportation, telecommunications, banking, medical, schools, police, religious communities, etc.
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What participants have to say:
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"Excellent materials, they were very helpful. The instructor was extremely forthcoming with lots of examples and explanations. I feel more confident about my assignment to Bangalore.” |
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- Expatriate to India, semiconductor company |
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Living and Working Abroad
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Strategies for a positive sojourn during your assignment
Explore the community. Maintain a "tourist" perspective. Learn about the country, current political leaders, social issues, and places of particular historic, natural or cultural pride for the people.
Look for logical reasons behind everything. Treat the culture as a puzzle; find patterns and interrelationships.
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