Sep 10

Helping the Whole Family to Adapt to a Foreign Country

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

According to the 2010 Global Relocation Trends Survey, only 47% of international assignees had families with children when they went abroad last year. This all time low percentage shows a new trend in international human resources: organisations increasingly prefer to send expatriates with no children for short and long term assignments. This is primarily because the inability of the family to adapt is one of the primary causes of failed international assignments and is one of the main concerns for HR professionals.

Family H Gall i Helping the Whole Family to Adapt to a Foreign Country

© istockphoto.com/ H Gall

Indeed, sending a whole family to a foreign country can represent a huge challenge without the proper preparation. Offering an expatriate cross cultural program to the partner and children can be an excellent way to prepare them for their international experience. By undergoing an expatriate cross cultural program, families can get the insights and understanding they need about the environment, way of life, currency, customs or food in the target country. Increasing their understanding of the visible part of the culture they are going to live in is just one aspect. Training can also make expatriates aware of the core cultural values of the target country that they will need to understand and adapt to.

Deciphering the core cultural values of the target culture can help all family members to cope with culture shock which is one of the greatest challenges they will face and can jeopardise the whole expatriation process. An expatriate cross cultural program can also help them to understand the different communication styles and social etiquette to ensure they can communicate what they need and behave without making any cultural faux pas during their expatriation.

Expatriate cross cultural programs can also provide the partners of international assignees practical tips about finding a job or building their social network. This ensures partners avoid getting bored and feeling disconnected from society which can negatively impact their adaptation to the new country. Getting the children ready is equally important. Expatriate cross cultural programs can help kids to understand the differences they will encounter in their new school while it will also improve their ability to adapt to their new environment and make new friends.

Regardless of where you are going on an international assignment, going through a cross cultural training course is the best way to make sure you enjoy your new life as an expatriate. Cultural training programs can also provide peace of mind to human resource professionals responsible for ensuring the expatriation is a success.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • •
Jun 10

Perceptions of Animals across Cultures: Man’s Best Friend or Dirty Beast?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for the Public sector 1 Comment »

When living and working in another country, there are numerous things to consider apart from the more obvious ones of climate, language, religion, currency, etc. Some important considerations are less obvious. For example, do you have a pet or do you enjoy a hobby such as horse riding? Your animal or hobby may be perceived in a completely different light in another culture so it’s important to consider the significance given to specific animals in different parts of the world and general perceptions towards them.

One example which is often mentioned in popular press is the case of dogs. In some cultures, like the US or UK, dogs are loved and considered a great pet to have at home and with the family. In other cultures, such as those where Islam is the majority religion, dogs may be perceived as dirty or dangerous. Muslims’ treatment of dogs is still a matter of debate amongst Islamic scholars . While these animals are widely considered by many Western cultures to be ‘man’s best friend’, the Koran describes them as unhygienic. Muslims will therefore avoid touching a dog unless he can wash his hands immediately afterwards, and they will almost never keep a dog in their home.

Cairo sunset clu i Perceptions of Animals across Cultures: Man’s Best Friend or Dirty Beast?

© istockphoto.com/ Clu

 

In Iran, for instance, a cleric once denounced ‘the moral depravity’ of dog owners and even demanded their arrest. If you are an international assignee living and working in Saudi Arabia or another Arabic country, you should remember this when inviting Arab counterparts to your house in case you have a dog as a pet. This is just one example of how Islam and other cultural beliefs can impact on aspects of everyday life that someone else may not even question. A Middle Eastern man might be very surprised when going to Japan, for instance, and seeing dogs being dressed and pampered like humans and carried around in baby prams!

Dogs are not the only animals which are perceived quite differently from one culture to another. In India, for example, cows are sacred and are treated with the utmost respect. Conversely in Argentina, beef is a symbol of national pride because of its tradition and the high quality of its cuts. An Indian working in Argentina who has not done his research or participated in a cross cultural training programme such as Doing Business in Argentina may be surprised at his first welcome dinner with his Argentinean counterparts where a main dish of beef would be served.

It is therefore crucial to be aware of the specific values assigned to objects or animals in different cultures to avoid faux-pas or cultural misunderstandings, particularly when living and working in another culture. Learning how people value animals and other symbols around the world is one of the numerous cultural examples discussed in Communicaid’s intercultural training courses. Understanding how your international colleagues may perceive certain animals can help you ensure you aren’t insensitive and it may even provide you with a good topic for conversation.

Communicaid’s cross cultural training for relocation courses can be specifically tailored to meet the needs of your business and prepare your employees for any international assignment or business venture. Our courses are tailored to include all potential topics of interest and problems that might arise to prepare your workforce to deal with them appropriately.

Living and working abroad requires not only knowledge of the business culture of a particular country, but also a more in-depth understanding of its culture and wider traditions. Such understanding will facilitate fruitful relationships and successful business partnerships wherever you need to go.

© Communicaid Group Ltd.2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Jun 07

A Dangerous Culture? Mexico’s War on Drugs and its Impact on Business Development

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »
Mexico City andres balcazar i A Dangerous Culture? Mexico’s War on Drugs and its Impact on Business Development

© istockphoto.com/ Andres Balcazar

In recent years, news about Mexico in the foreign media tends to revolve around one topic – the deadly warfare taking place in the country since President Felipe Calderón declared a ‘War on Drugs’ at the start of his presidency in 2006. His intention was to disband the Mexican drug cartels who took control of the profitable trafficking routes left by the Colombian cartels defeated in the 1990s. Yet, this approach backfired and violence has escalated to the extent that the city of Juarez in the border state of Chihuahua has a murder rate three times higher than any other city in Mexico, making it the most violent in the country.

While these could be frightening events for companies thinking about doing business in Mexico, these headlines show only one side of the picture. In fact, living and working in Mexico should not be any more daunting than, say, living and working in Argentina or living and working in Chile.

Even though drug cartels and gangs do pose a real danger, this danger tends to affect people already heavily involved in the drug trade rather than the population in general. Violent incidents generally occur around border or seaside towns within a few states in Mexico, meaning there is only a limited impact on the remaining twenty-plus states.

Mexico, a newly industrialised country, is the eleventh largest economy in the world and the second largest in Latin America, only behind Brazil. Mexico is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and of numerous Free Trade Agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

 

Mexico also has one of the fastest-growing middle classes in the world, whose spending power provides numerous and profitable opportunities for foreign investment. Additionally, Mexico has a proven record of high-quality industrial manufacturing, the car industry being the perfect example as Volkswagen, Toyota, BMW and General Motors, among many others, have set up successful business ventures there.

Tourism also plays a vital role in the Mexican economy, as Mexico is among the tenth most visited countries in the world. Tourist destinations range from the impressive ruins of Mexico’s ancient civilisations to idyllic beach resorts to highly industrialised and modern cities. A world-renowned cuisine, rich cultural history and the friendliness of its people make doing business in Mexico a very interesting and attractive business experience. Foreign companies should therefore ignore the benefits of doing business in Mexico at their own peril.

Mexicans are very friendly and open to foreigners, however a good knowledge and appreciation of the local culture and traditions will go a long way when doing business in Mexico. Communicaid’s cross cultural awareness training courses are essential for companies thinking about setting up business in Mexico or already dealing with Mexican partners.

While doing business in Mexico may seem less foreign to Europeans than doing business in Angola, for instance, knowing the local business etiquette and communication practices will ensure a smooth transition for international assignees, short-term visitors or managers who work on long-term projects or communicate virtually with Mexico. Communicaid’s Doing Business in Mexico cross cultural awareness training course will help you to understand Mexican business and social culture and build strong business partnerships with your Mexican colleagues.

Learning a bit of Spanish will also go a long way in making the right impression and building a solid relationship. Communicaid’s Latin American Spanish language courses will help give your company an edge when doing business in Mexico. Even if you do not attain a level of fluency in Mexican Spanish, understanding how Latin American and Iberian Spanish are as different as American and British English and learning a few key greetings and expressions will help you secure a good deal when doing business in Mexico.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
Jun 02

What is the most challenging destination for an international assignment?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 3 Comments »

China and India are often regarded as two of the most challenging destinations for international assignments. However, there are difficulties awaiting every expatriate, regardless of their destination.

Many people assume that cultures which are drastically different to their own will cause them the most challenges, however going to a country that has a similar set of cultural values or language can be even more problematic if international assignees are not prepared for possible pitfalls like assumptions of similarity, stereotypes, cultural differences and a lack of preparation which can lead to a failed expatriation experience.

Flags 2 Daniel Cardiffi1 What is the most challenging destination for an international assignment?

© istockphoto/Daniel Cardiff

 

If we take the example of a British international assignee living and working in the US, the so called cultural closeness between the two countries (and thus strong assumptions of similarity) can create frustration and critical incidents. But there are indeed huge cultural differences between the US and the UK, and the fact that both countries speak the “same” language does not always help.

In fact, speaking the “same” language can actually hurt as many will not expect differences. US natives are not usually familiar with the nuances and turn of phrases used by the British, while the British may be confused by differences in vocabulary and business jargon. Small differences in the way English is spoken and used in each culture can lead to severe misunderstandings. Adding to the language are the many cultural values, attitudes and working habits which are often very different.

An international assignment in India or China presents a unique set of challenges. It is commonly accepted that these countries have their own values and cultural flavour; this is why intercultural training programmes are increasingly offered to expatriates going to work there. However, understanding the culture of these countries is one thing, living there every day is another. Living the rush hour in New Delhi or trying the unusual (from a westerner perspective!) Chinese cuisine cannot be explained, it has to be experienced first hand.

That being said, understanding the cultural drivers, values and traditions and having a set of strategies that help international assignees deal with any challenges they may encounter is essential for anyone going on an international assignment, no matter how ‘challenging’ the destination. This is where cross cultural training for relocation can help, whether it’s for the employee moving or their family or both, any destination which is deemed challenging can be turned into a destination of opportunity and success with the right kind of training and support.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
May 26

Seeing Eye-to-eye across Cultures

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 1 Comment »

 

Face-to-face meetings have a tremendous importance in the global business world. It is during these occasions that important matters are discussed and contracts are signed. Face-to-face encounters can sometimes be difficult to handle, however, especially when meeting people from different cultures where the risks of intercultural misunderstanding can jeopardise business opportunities.

One benefit of meeting international counterparts face-to-face is the ability to communicate directly without relying on virtual communication that can result in misunderstandings and confusion. While direct communication is channelled mainly by words and sentences, the major part of our message is delivered through our body language.

 

Business Woman shaking hands i Seeing Eye to eye across Cultures

© istockphoto.com/ Neustockimages

Let’s take the example of how we look at people during a conversation. In most western cultures, looking at someone in the eyes when talking is regarded as a sign of respect and truthfulness while the lack or absence of eye contact is perceived negatively as shyness or lack of attention. This perception is not shared by everyone however.

In many Arabic and Asian cultures, for instance, looking directly into someone’s eyes can be seen as disrespectful or challenging and should therefore be avoided, especially during important meetings. A French team leader and Chinese executive may experience difficulties when communicating face-to-face because of their different expectations and interpretations of eye contact. The French team leader will likely make efforts to look at the Chinese executive to build trust and establish credibility. Meanwhile, the Chinese executive may expect more indirect eye contact as this shows respect to more senior individuals. The different interpretations of eye contact can end up damaging the relationship and create misunderstanding.

This kind of cultural misunderstanding can be common without intercultural training. By participating in one of Communicaid’s Intercultural Training courses, you can increase your understanding of when and how eye contact is appropriate or not, reducing the potential for miscommunication and negative perceptions. Communicaid’s Living and Working in France or Doing Business in China cross cultural awareness training courses can help you and your organisation to gain a better understanding of your international counterparts and help you to face the challenges rising from cross cultural situations.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

pixel Seeing Eye to eye across Cultures
Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
preload preload preload
Allow Cookies?
Powered by Strategic Internet Consulting