The enlargement of the European Union to 25 member states in 2004 brought new challenges for those who work with EU institutions, whether on a regular or project basis. The cultural diversity in any EU meeting is likely to be greater than ever before. Although exciting, culturally rooted differences can also render cross-cultural cooperation time-consuming and frustrating, ranging from a lack of common language to different concepts of managing, negotiating, and time-keeping—to mention only a few of the challenges encountered in an EU workplace setting.
Working with European Colleagues explores the challenges as well as the opportunities of the cultural diversity that exists within the corridors of EU institutions; how cultural differences are manifest in everyday workplace situations and how these can be best harnessed to make cross-cultural working situations a positive and rewarding experience.
Benefits
A Communicaid Working with European Colleagues course will provide you with:
- Increased awareness of culture and cultural differences and their impact in the cross-cultural
workplace
- In-depth understanding of different approaches to workplace organisation
- An exploration of different working, management and communication styles
- An appreciation for the advantages of cultural diversity in the cross-cultural workplace
- The cultural competence to allow you to reduce cross-cultural misunderstandings
- Practical tips to encourage positive and successful cross-cultural working relationships Who should attend
A Communicaid Working with European Colleagues course will be of benefit if you:
- Work with EU departments and counterparts on a regular basis
- Are involved in EU lobbying activities
- Lead EU-funded cross-border projects
- Are involved in strategic European planning or negotiations
- Are involved in organising visits by EU officials, meetings, conferences and similar events Course content
All our Working with European Colleagues training courses are designed to meet the specific needs of our clients depending on their specific requirements and existing skills set. A Working with European Colleagues course typically includes:
- Cultural definitions and dimensions
- Background to Europe’s cultural diversity
- Attitudes and values across Europe
- Cross-cultural workplace dynamics
- Communicating with European colleagues
- Tips for social and workplace etiquette
- Practical strategies for working with European colleagues Approach
Working with European Colleagues courses are available seven days a week, 365 days a year, either at one of our training centres in London, Paris, Frankfurt and New York or at your offices in any location worldwide. We usually recommend a one or two day course but can also offer a more flexible format to suit your schedule.
Suitably tailored materials will be used throughout your course and your trainer will provide a balance of structured input and discussion of case studies and scenarios relevant to your own particular context.
The most appropriate training format, content and approach for your Working with European Colleagues course will be discussed during your diagnostic consultancy (please click here to read more about our approach).
Working with European Colleagues Course Trainer
Your Working with European Colleagues trainer will be assigned to you following the results of your diagnostic consultancy according to your objectives and areas of focus. Detailed below is the profile of a member of our cultural awareness training team
TH
TH has over twenty years experience of language, management and intercultural training, delivering courses in a wide range of countries including France and the USA where he has lived for periods of time. He has run training courses for a large number of corporate multinationals including GSK, Shell, Conoco, Esso, Microsoft and UBS and public sector organisations such as London Regional Transport and the National Bank of Slovakia. His key areas of expertise are leadership, building international teams, diversity and cross-cultural training.
A graduate in English and American language and literature, TH’s first experience of intercultural training was at the University of California. On his return to Europe, he worked for LTS Training and Consultancy setting up an offshoot in Esso France running their sales and technical presentation programmes. TH then spent the next five years working in international conference management in both Paris and London managing teams and events throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and the USA. Since 1994, TH has worked as a training consultant based in London, firstly in international HR project management working in areas of organisational development, performance management and employee relations and more recently in global leadership consultancy focusing on leadership, diversity, cross cultural issues and workforce development.
Key Communicaid clients where TH has delivered Cultural Awareness and Management courses include BP, BASF, Genzyme and Lehman Brothers. |
Cross-cultural
Training
