Nov 03

Bonfire Night: An Essential British Experience for Anyone Living and Working in Great Britain

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

Every year on 5 November people in Great Britain celebrate Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night. Anyone living and working in Great Britain should be aware of this tradition as it can be a great opportunity to experience local culture and socialise with friends and family. Understanding British customs and traditions can also help you to more effectively integrate into British society and establish better working relationships with your British counterparts.

Fireworks ludwig wagner i Bonfire Night: An Essential British Experience for Anyone Living and Working in Great Britain

© istockphoto.com/Ludwig Wagner

So what is Bonfire Night and how is it celebrated? Bonfire Night commemorates the events of 5 November 1605 which are sometimes also referred to as the Gunpowder Plot. The protagonist of these events was a man called Guy Fawkes who was part of a group of English Catholics who were unhappy with the protestant King. Guy Fawkes, Robert Catesby and a group of other Catholics started plotting the King’s assassination.

On the night of 5 November the conspirators attempted to kill the King by placing some explosives under the House of Lords. Their aim was to kill the King as well as many other members of the monarchy and government. One of the most active participants in this murder attempt was Guy Fawkes who was responsible for guarding the explosives in a cellar under the House of Lords. The plan was foiled and Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellar. After being tortured for several days, he confessed and was then executed.

On that same night in 1605 people set bonfires alight to celebrate the King’s survival. This tradition has been respected ever since and people all over Great Britain and in some Commonwealth nations like New Zealand and Australia celebrate this day with bonfires and fireworks. In addition to bonfires and fireworks, some will make “guys” – effigies of Guy Fawkes made out of old clothes and newspapers that will then be burnt in the bonfires.

Another tradition observed on this day is the State Opening of Parliament. Ever since these events of 1605, the King or Queen will traditionally only enter Parliament once a year on 5 November. Before the event, the cellars of the Palace of Westminster are inspected by the Yeomen of the Guard to assure the monarch’s safety and commemorate and celebrate the historical event.

Being aware of traditions and customs like this can help anyone living and working in Great Britain to understand the culture. Attending a cross cultural training programme like Living and Working in Great Britain will provide you with all the information you need about British customs and traditions like Bonfire Night as well as other useful information on British social and business culture.

So if you are living and working in Great Britain be sure to take part in one of the events going on in London or other cities in Great Britain this weekend.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Jul 01

Living and Working Abroad – The Expatriate Experience

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation No Comments »

Recent research by Mercer, quoted in an article by the Financial Times, suggests the number of expatriates around the world has increased by 4% since 2009 despite the economic downturn and the many cuts companies are implementing. As more and more companies send employees to live and work abroad, they need to consider a number of key factors including the importance of selecting the right location, understanding the local culture and providing the right level of cultural awareness training for relocation initiatives.

Airplane Maurits Vink i Living and Working Abroad The Expatriate Experience

© istockphoto.com/Maurits Vink

Location, Location, Location.

Current expat trends show that Western Europe and the US are the two biggest poles sending and receiving expats. London and Geneva are considered to be the best cities in Europe while New York seems to be the favourite in the US, especially for bankers. The Asia-Pacific zone is currently experiencing an important rise in expatriates, especially in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong. However, there is a visible drop in expatriations in Africa due to the current political tensions and wars.

Sending employees abroad can provide significant opportunities for companies as well as for employees.  For expatriations to be a success for both parties, however, companies must carefully consider the following aspects when selecting a location:

  • Current market situation and opportunities
  • Added value of the country and its knowledge in a specific field
  • Local savoir-faire and experiences that can be shared with other parts of the business
  • Expat expectations and specialisations. For example, engineers in the oil and gas industry are ideal for assignments in the Middle East or Africa
  • Expat profile and situation (gender, family, etc.) which determines the level of living conditions required

The Pros and Cons of Expatriations

Attitudes towards expatriations can be very mixed. While some see the benefits, many employees are often more worried about the many challenges international assignments can present. From losing touch with the parent company to not receiving adequate cultural awareness training support, employees can sometimes fail to see the many benefits an international assignment can bring both personally and professionally.

Any company hoping to send employees abroad therefore needs to actively present international assignments as positive opportunities by emphasising their advantages.  Highlighting some of the following topics can help companies avoid creating mistrust or misunderstanding with potential expatriates:

  • Potential for career progression
  • Increased salary or compensation in many cases
  • Attractive perks and benefits for the whole family
  • Development of professional skills that could lead to future promotion
  • Enhanced personal experiences and potential opportunities for travel they will have abroad
  • Discovery of new people, traditions, landscapes and ways of working
  • Familiarise kids to a new language and culture and open their mind
  • Added values and benefits that the employee will contribute to the company

Expatriates need to understand that it is the right moment to go abroad and that it will result in benefits not only for the company but for themselves.

“Fortune favours the prepared mind” – Louis Pasteur

When relocating abroad, expatriates face a whole new set of cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours. Their ability to integrate their new cultural surroundings with their own unique cultural background and expectations is paramount to the success of the expatriation.

Expatriates must have an in-depth understanding of the destination country in order to avoid culture shock and to build more profitable relationships with locals. Living and working in another country can be radically different so it’s essential that expats have the cultural skills they need to adapt to and understand the new customs and traditions they encounter to optimise the expatriation.

Cultural awareness training for relocation programmes such as Living and Working in China can vastly help to improve an expatriate’s experience and success when living and working abroad. Cultural awareness training helps to prepare future expatriates and their families for their relocation abroad and provides them with a global understanding of the culture, values, customs and traditions of the new country.

The family should also be involved in cultural awareness training, as studies show that if the family does not successfully adapt to the host country, the whole expatriation could be in jeopardy. By having expatriates and their families participate in a culture for relocation programme, companies will get the most out of the employee’s assignment, thereby increasing their ROI.

Expatriations offer a unique experience for both the expatriate employee and their family. As such the importance of cultural awareness training programmes should not be underestimated. Providing the right level of cultural support and training combined with selecting the most appropriate location and marketing the benefits of the assignment, companies can truly benefit from sending their employees to live and work abroad.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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May 06

Understanding the World of ‘Third Culture Kids’

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 »

What do Yoko Ono, Carlos Fuente and Barack Obama all have in common? A shared cultural identity based on similar upbringings: they are Third Culture Kids.

Third Culture Kids spend their developmental years in a fusion of multiple cultures, typically growing up in countries different from their parents’ ‘passport country’. Dr. Ruth Hill Useem first coined the phrase in the 1950s when she was conducting primary research on American children in India. Useem recognised that children growing up in this fusion of cultures exhibited elements of their parents’ cultural background as well as facets of their immediate cultural surroundings, thereby creating their own ‘third culture’.

Flower Tulips Maria Pavlova i Understanding the World of ‘Third Culture Kids’

© istockphoto.com/ Maria Pavlova

TCKs have an innate open-mindedness and cross-cultural awareness that significantly helps them to cope with their unique cultural make-up and use it to their advantage. They usually come from globally mobile groups such as expatriate communities, the military, governmental bodies or missionaries.

When parents decide to accept an international assignment they must consider the long-term impact that exposure to multiple cultures will have on their children. Unlike adults, children and teenagers can be more deeply affected by their experiences abroad. Why? Because, unlike their parents, they are in a natural process of developing their identity.  Exposure to multiple cultures at an early age means that each new experience will be embedded in their identities for life. This is a key characteristic of TCKs and a massively potential tool for their future professional lives. Given the implications that international assignments can have on families, spouse and family training can be worth its weight in gold.

The TCK community is vast. TCKid, a non-profit community supporting TCKs around the world, welcomes over 21,000 website members, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Every TCK possesses a unique multicultural identity but they are all able to lay claim to a common TCK identity. Common behavioural characteristics of TCKs might include the ability to:

  • Build cultural bridges easily
  • Integrate well into new surroundings
  • Adapt well to unfamiliar situations
  • Pick up new languages with ease
  • Adopt an open-minded and flexible approach with others
  • Demonstrate maturity at an earlier age than their non-TCK peers

Although TCKs tend to have a high level of cross-cultural awareness, they also have a concerning identity dilemma. TCKs live in a dichotomy of worlds. They identify with an abundance of cultures but yet they are unable to take full ownership of any. As they get older, questions such as ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where is home?’ becoming increasingly difficult to answer. For a TCK, home is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

TCKs have little experience in domestic schools where peers do not fully appreciate their multicultural backgrounds. Often on repatriation to their ‘passport countries’, this can sometimes push them to the fringes of social groups where they are misunderstood or simply do not feel like they fit in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is common to find TCKs who possess a deep-rooted wanderlust.

Third Culture Kids are Third Culture Kids for life. When they can recognise their own TCK behaviours, feelings and identity traits they are more likely to realise that they do in fact share a common ground with others. TCKs of all ages can manage their cross-cultural awareness and unique multicultural identities and use them to their advantage rather than a restraint, throughout life.

Parents and TCKs alike can benefit immensely from spouse and family training programmes before, during and after an international assignment. Culture for relocation programmes like these provide opportunities to discuss the challenges of each international assignment and develop strategies for the whole family to ensure they effectively adjust to their new environment, no matter how many cultures may be present.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Dec 21

How Can Sports Help Expats More Effectively Manage an International Assignment?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

Relocating to another country can be a challenging experience for many international assignees. Cultural differences international assignees may encounter in the food, language, working practices or cultural values can lead to culture shock. The ability to effectively manage culture shock and cultural difference is crucial to the success of the international assignment. A cultural awareness training for relocation course can help expats to more effectively manage the challenges of living and working in a new country through developing strategies to stay active, meet people and find new hobbies in the target culture.

Football Adam Kazmierski i How Can Sports Help Expats More Effectively Manage an International Assignment?

© istockphoto.com/ Adam Kazmierski

Finding new hobbies is an excellent way to successfully adapt to a new culture but it can sometimes be a challenge as many international assignees search only for things they did in their home country. There are many new hobbies and activities expatriates can get involved in that can bring immense benefit to them. Expatriates living in South East Asia recently discovered this when they opened a Gaelic Football club.

Gaelic football was played widely in Ireland during the 19th century and came to South East Asia through international assignees coming from the UK. Surprisingly, this sport was well received and the locals joined expatriates in creating several teams which are now competing against each other across China, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. Joe Trolan recently described Gaelic Football in the Korean Times as a real bridge between British international assignees and Koreans.

Some find it strange to see a traditional Gaelic sport spreading throughout South East Asia but this is a perfect illustration of sport’s uncanny ability to bridge cultural differences and ease intercultural communication. Indeed, sport is a great way to overcome cultural differences.

One of the best examples of this is football, commonly called the “world game”. Football’s unrivalled popularity and ability to bring different cultures together is proven through the many tournaments across countries and cups like the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Football is not the only sport that creates bridges between cultures. Cricket, for instance is equally popular in the UK, Australia and India, thanks to the common past shared by both countries. Japan, Korea and the US share the same passion for baseball while ice hockey enjoys an enormous popularity both in Eastern Europe and North America.

These sports and many others are instrumental in bringing cultures together around the world and helping expatriates effectively manage their international assignment. Whether playing together with locals and other expats in a league or watching a sports event together, sports can break down barriers of cultural difference and help expats build relationships that will improve their international assignment.

Playing or watching sports on an international assignment is just one thing expats can do to ensure their success abroad. Understanding the key cultural values of their own culture and their host culture and being able to effectively manage these differences is essential. A cultural awareness training for relocation course can give international assignees the cultural insights and strategies they need to overcome the main challenges of an international assignment.

Knowing how a culture operates and how to build relationships with people in the target country will help expats throughout their international assignment. The cultural awareness, knowledge and skills expats can gain from a cultural awareness training for relocation course can also help them to perform more effectively in any sport they decide to play as an expat, making international assignment more enjoyable.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Sep 17

Cultural Awareness Training: Ensuring a Successful Cultural Adaptation

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 »

An international assignment is always a challenge from both a professional and personal perspective as coping with the differences within the workplace and the personal environment can be difficult.

Statistics show that failed international assignments are mainly related to a lack of adaptation either from the expatriate or his/her family. A failed expatriation can have severe consequences for an organisation and result in a significant loss of money as expatriates can be expensive.

Globe Kasia i Cultural Awareness Training: Ensuring a Successful Cultural Adaptation

© istockphoto.com/ Kasia

Studies suggest that a failed international assignment can cost between$100,000 and $300,000. Failed business or project objectives also indirectly harm the brand image and limit the future business perspectives of the company. Finally, the damage on the expatriates’ morale and performance can also be disastrous, depression and a long lasting loss of confidence can affect them even after they return.

Working habits are one of the main problems encountered by expatriates as they can be fairly different from one country to another. The way people deal with risk, hierarchy, time and decision making processes are different and these differences can hinder an expatriate’s performance. Expatriate cultural programs can increase the understanding of the impact of these differences which will help them to adapt more easily to his/her new environment. Cultural awareness training will also provide expatriates with key insights and practical information about business and social practices in the country.

It is also crucial to assess and understand the expatriates’ main concerns in order to help them to succeed. According to the HSBC Expats Survey results, expatriates are mainly preoccupied with their ability to make friends abroad, socialise and adapt to the local community. They are also concerned about ensuring their partner and family have an enjoyable experience.

All of these challenges can be difficult to overcome without the appropriate and relevant cultural awareness training. Deciphering Chinese or Indian social and business practices and customs is almost impossible without the proper guidance. During an expatriate cultural program, delegates can also benefit from the experience of their trainer who will share anecdotes and first hand testimonies that can help expatriates to foresee what await them in their host culture. Cultural awareness training also helps to break down myths and stereotypes which sometimes lead to false assumptions and cultural insensitivity.

Providing expatriate cultural programs such as Living and Working in India or Living and Working in China can help future expatriates to adapt quickly to their new environment and reduce the risks of failure. The relevant and appropriate strategies and tools they will receive on expatriate cultural program will give them the confidence they need to work effectively in another culture and cope with the specific challenges of their expatriation.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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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

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Sep 02

Cross Cultural Training: How to Compete Successfully on the Global Market

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 »

Organisations increasingly send employees abroad on international assignments all over the world. While this has several advantages such as an increased global reach for the organisation and access to a broader talent pool, it also creates a large array of new challenges for international assignees who have to adapt to new working practices and communication styles. Helping international assignees to develop their intercultural skills through cross cultural training is crucial for global organisations that require successful communication and collaboration across cultures.

Globes Mike Bentley i1 Cross Cultural Training: How to Compete Successfully on the Global Market

© istockphoto.com/ Mike Bentley

Understanding the impact of culture on business and working practices is vital. Our behaviours and values are widely influenced by our cultural background but this can sometimes be difficult for foreigners to decipher without the right cultural tools and understanding. A comprehensive analysis of cultural values in specific countries can significantly help employees to decipher key cross cultural attitudes towards aspects such as time, hierarchy or risk. Culture also influences how we communicate verbally, non-verbally and virtually. All these cultural elements can hinder effective communication within international teams and cause cross cultural misunderstandings and frustrations if not understood or managed.

Being aware of cross cultural business practices is sometimes not enough. When organisations decide to send employees to work on short or long international assignments, it’s important that they consider the support options to ensure that expatriates understand the impact of culture on their daily life. How to socialise, hints of the country’s environment and useful information for the other members of the family are just a few examples of what a cross cultural training course can provide international assignees. These elements must be taken into consideration as they can greatly reduce the culture shock upon arrival.

A lack of cultural awareness can harm business opportunities and cause organisations to lose large amounts of money and time spent on human resources. Communicaid’s cross cultural training courses are specifically designed to provide key information and insight needed by the international assignees and their family, enabling an easier adaptation process which is essential for a successful personal and professional experience on the global market.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Aug 20

The Will to Live… Abroad – Intercultural Training is Key to Global Success

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Human Resources No Comments »
Globes Mike Bentley i1 The Will to Live… Abroad – Intercultural Training is Key to Global Success

© istockphoto.com/ Mike Bentley

According to the 2010 Hydrogen Global Professionals on the Move Report, top executives and managers are increasingly willing to go on international assignments in foreign countries. Why are these highly qualified workers so eager to work in a different country? The report shows that they are not fleeing the economic crisis but they are in fact, trying to advance their career and stand out in this competitive global market.

It is true that being an expatriate has many advantages. From a career perspective, working abroad has always been a valued experience and enhances any CV. The experience international assignees gain in key positions in subsidiary companies or divisions abroad can significantly help to boost career opportunities later in their life.

In addition to improved career opportunities, expatriates also traditionally have higher wages and an improved status in their company. Although increased wages and status are attractive, the report indicates that these two aspects are not the main factors motivating employees to go on an international assignment. Instead, the report suggests their interest is increasingly around the challenging aspect of expatriation and the opportunities they would have to develop their skills in an international context.

One of the best examples of this is the quick rise of Philip Clarke through the Tesco Group. Clarke held several posts abroad, particularly in Asia where he was impressively successful, before being chosen as the next CEO of Tesco by Sir Terry Leahy. There are no doubts that he was chosen because of the skills he developed abroad and in his many roles at Tesco where he showed a great capacity to adapt to each new environment and choose the best suited option to ensure the success of the stores under his supervision.

Top executives, managers and team members who recognise the opportunities an international assignment can bring, like Philip Clarke did, should be aware that it takes more than being good at their job. Future expatriates need the expertise and social skills necessary to accomplish their business objectives and responsibilities but this along is not enough.

International assignees have to possess a global mindset which allows them to lead and manage their foreign counterparts effectively. Flexibility, adaptability and cultural awareness are also important skills to have. While these skills can be developed slowly through experience, going through a tailored intercultural training programme will ensure they avoid any cultural faux-pas and help them to reach their full potential in their new cultural environment. Intercultural training is key to helping them overcome the many different cultural challenges awaiting them in the target culture which can hinder their progress and performance.

Working effectively in a new country takes time and requires cultural knowledge and insight which can only be gained through a combination of experience and intercultural training delivered by qualified trainers with ‘dirt under their nails’. Intercultural training courses like Communicaid’s Living and Working in Brazil or Living and Working in India are designed to help top executives, managers and team members settle and adapt to the new work and social environment of their expatriation through intercultural knowledge, tools and strategies.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jul 15

International Relocation: Helping Children Thrive in a New Culture

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture 1 Comment »

Relocating overseas to a culture that you know little about can be daunting enough for an adult but it’s even more so for young children and teenagers. Kids can find it really difficult to move away from friends, family and familiar places to an unknown country and culture.

Flower Tulips Maria Pavlova i International Relocation: Helping Children Thrive in a New Culture

© istockphoto.com/ Maria Pavlova

 

The good news is that psychologists and intercultural specialists believe that children often adjust more easily to a new environment than adults as they are more intensely involved in the life of the new society. School life, for example, provides a wonderful opportunity to make friends and therefore to integrate into the life of a new community.

All the same, it would be naïve to assume that children are mature enough to deal successfully with all the challenges of the host culture. Some of the most difficult issues for expatriate children are:

  • Language barriers
  • Different school system and education style and expectations
  • New communication styles
  • Leaving friends and making new ones

Undertaking an intercultural training course that gives young children and teenagers an understanding of the country they are relocating to can be immensely helpful. Explaining the customs and traditions or way of life as well as a few key expressions in the local language can make a big difference on their adjustment.

Intercultural training can help children of all ages adapt to their new school, new friends, new activities and new life abroad. Ensuring they have everything they need to make a smooth adjustment can help the family carry out their entire international assignment and save the organisation money. Studies show that one of the most common reasons for failed assignments is the family unhappiness or inability to settle in the new country.

In addressing these challenges and providing children with tools to deal with them, cross-cultural training courses for relocation such as Spouse and Family Training and Support or specific language courses can prepare children to meet the challenges of a new environment. Giving them the support they need, can make the difference between them having a difficult time or thriving in the new culture.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jul 12

Cross Cultural Perceptions: Is Kissing in Public Indecent or Accepted Behaviour?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture training for Business & Management No Comments »

A recent article published by the BBC recounts the misadventures of a London citizen sent to Dubai by his firm as an international assignee. The man, Ayman Najafi, was charged for indecency after kissing a woman on the cheek in a restaurant. He was found guilty and spent a month in jail before being deported by the Dubai administration.

Mr Najafi protested and claimed that a mere kiss on the cheek was not indecent and that this kind of behaviour was commonplace among expatriates in the country. He also insisted that Dubai was “deceptive” as “the laws have not developed as quickly as the country”.

Business meeting Middle East Catherine Yeulet i Cross Cultural Perceptions: Is Kissing in Public Indecent or Accepted Behaviour?

© istockphoto.com/ Catherine Yeulet

 

While this critical incident led to some extreme and uncommon consequences, it remains a perfect example of the need for cross cultural awareness training courses for international assignees. Cultural misunderstandings and incidents occur more than most international assignees can imagine, mainly because while their behaviour appears to be perfectly acceptable for them it may be perceived as rude by the inhabitants of their host country.

To adapt, international assignees need to bear in mind the main cultural and religious values and try to act in accordance with them when living and working in another country. If we come back to the case of Mr Najafi, countries like the United Arab Emirates which are strongly influenced by Islam, forbid physical contact between men and women. This cultural fact remains true even in a globalised and modern looking city like Dubai.

To help international assignees have a smooth adaptation to their professional and personal environment and ensure they do not make any cultural faux-pas, it is crucial to provide them with key cultural information and knowledge about the target country before they relocate. Providing them with an understanding of the main cultural values, helping them to decipher the cultural background of the country and making them aware of the key do’s and don’ts in the culture will minimise the risks of cultural misunderstandings and critical incidents which can have hugely negative consequences for both the individual and the organisation.

Cross cultural awareness training courses such as Communicaid’s Living and Working in the UAE or Living and Working in India can help international assignees to understand and avoid any inappropriate behaviour. With the knowledge and insights gained from intercultural training, they can ensure a successful international assignment, not only in the workplace but also in their daily life.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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