As our planet seemingly becomes smaller and we find ourselves sharing an increasingly global workspace, one of the challenges we face is effective communication with people of different cultures. Interpersonal relationships are difficult at the best of times but when they are complicated by matters of language and culture the likelihood of misunderstandings, embarrassing moments, missed deadlines and even lost business deals is even greater.
Why Cross-Cultural Training?
Intercultural awareness and communication skills are paramount to success in our global economy. In order to build effective communication, beyond speaking the same language as the people with whom we do business, we must have knowledge of their values, beliefs and attitudes.
The goal of our tailor-made courses and workshops is to provide a skill set for enhancing multicultural communication with colleagues, clients or customers. Understand how the difference between your cultural values and beliefs and those of your associates impacts business behavior, including attitudes toward time, negotiating and trust building. We help boost your cultural savvy, providing you with the tools to anticipate obstacles to successful business relationships, increase efficiency and build productivity.
Who can benefit from our training sessions?
We can contribute to your success if you or your employees are:
- Working in a multi-cultural environment in the USA
- Relocating to another country
- Working with foreign nationals in a global context or as part of a global team
- Thinking of moving to the USA from another country
No matter what they are, we offer a solution to your cultural-training needs!
Living in the USA
This course is designed to provide you with practical information about living in the USA, including the historical and social factors that shape American culture and values.
Working in the USA
Combines Living in the USA with practice information and advice for expatriates working in the USA.
Living in the USA: Expat Partners
Combines Living in the USA with practical information and advice for expatriate partners/spouses of their working counterpart.
Working Across Cultures: Country Specific
Are you planning on relocating to another country? Are working in a multi-cultural environment in the USA or as part of a global team?Living in the USA
This course is designed to provide you with practical information about living in the USA, including the historical and social factors that shape American culture and values:
- Background (History, geography, language, government, society etc.)
- Core values, beliefs, ethics and customs
- Communication (greetings, titles, common/useful expressions, topics of discussion, sensitive topics, gestures and non-verbal)
- Traditions and Holidays
- Etiquette (politeness, dining, tipping, entertaining, dress, etc.)
Working in the USA
Combines Living in the USA with practice information and advice for expatriates working in the USA, including:
- Adjusting to the local corporate culture
- Relationship and trust building
- Attitudes toward leadership and hierarchy
- Business etiquette
- Forms of address
- Business cards
- Dress
- Hierarchy
- Gift giving
- Concept of time
Living in the USA: Expat Partners
Combines Living in the USA with practical information and advice for expatriate partners/spouses of their working counterpart. Like its companion program, English Communication for Expatriate Partners/Spouses this program considers the unique day-to-day activities and challenges that the non-working expatriate partners/spouses encounter when they first arrive in the United States.
It includes the following areas:
- Household: buying groceries (international food options), furniture and household goods, dealing with utility companies
- Doctors/Hospitals: speaking with healthcare providers, describing your or your child’s conditions
- Schools and Education/Daycare: the culture of American schools, managing your child’s education/daycare
- Leisure: local restaurants and dining, tipping, arts, culture, travel
- Banks/Finances: opening a bank account, writing a check, credit and credit ratings
- Transportation: dealing with the DMV - studying for and passing your driver’s exam, taking public transit
- Social security application
- Tips for connecting with other expat families in the region
Working Across Cultures: Country Specific
Are you planning on relocating to another country? Are working in a multi-cultural environment in the USA or as part of a global team? If so, how does your cultural style compare to that of your foreign colleagues?
Let us help you build solid business relationships by learning more about the key values and customs of your foreign colleagues and how they relate to your own cultural programming. The stronger your cultural knowledge and awareness is, the better positioned you are to avoid misunderstandings, delayed timelines and conflict.
Areas covered include:
- Background (History, geography, language, government, society etc.)
- Core values, beliefs, ethics and customs
- Communication (greetings, titles, common/useful expressions, topics of discussion, sensitive topics, gestures and non-verbal)
- Traditions and Holidays
- Etiquette (politeness, dining, tipping, entertaining, dress, etc.)
- Japan
- Germany
- France
- Mexico
- Canada