Employees of organisations operating globally, e.g. SSC/GBS that would like to gain practical skills in business communication.

• Developing awareness of cross-cultural differences and how they impact business cooperation and mutual understanding.
• Understanding the facts and myths about our own and other cultures, which is crucial to a better comprehension of the cultural context of the collaboration.
• Identification of cross-cultural similarities and differences and developing awareness of how to use them positively to build effective communication and cooperation.

Input and presentations, discussion eliciting the shared knowledge, beliefs and cultural perspectives of group participants, games, interactive activities and case histories.

Building successful cross-cultural working relationships is a 1-day workshop prepared and run by Mandy Pearson who is highly experienced in supporting organisations, teams and individuals to develop their capacity to lead, learn and thrive. Mandy has worked with a range of sectors from financial services to global institutions. She currently lives in Denmark and has lived and worked with many different cultures like Italian nationals in Milan & Bologna, in Greece, Thailand and in the UK. The aim of the workshop is to practice communication styles, gain awareness of the nonverbal behaviour, etiquette and protocol that help in developing leadership and management styles, and cultural sensitivity and awareness when working in a global environment.

1. Introduction to the workshop

2. Understanding the importance of Culture in the workplace
• Aspects of culture — what shapes culture?
• Introduction to cross-cultural differences — the culture map
• Dimensions of culture — models – Hofstede
• Organisational and individual culture
• Cultural understanding, respecting differences

3. Dimensions of Culture
• Hofstede’s cross-cultural communication framework

4. “To understand a culture, you need to know its context” Introduction to intercultural differences and a model of culture and intercultural differences:
• cultural relativism
• myths and facts
• key concepts relating to individual cultures
• historical context
• challenges for communication

5. How You experience other cultures
• Classifying other cultures
• Language as a cornerstone of culture
• Facts and myths

6. Your culture through the international lens
• Stereotypes and myths
• Mutual respect
• Challenges for communication/common mistakes

7. ‘Language shapes culture’ cross cultural language differences and manner of expression in
English
• Most common challenges in communication (compliments, e-mail, feedback)
• Small talk
• Degree of politeness
• Directness

8. Unwritten rules of the work-place
• Workplace culture. System thinking
• Hierarchy — the perception of roles
• Independence
• Conducting presentations, business meetings and discussions
• Problems, emotions and confrontation

9. Values and commonality
• Similarities and differences
• Using shared values as a way to transcend inter-cultural differences and build relationship

10. Everyday problems and their solutions
• Culture as an ongoing conversation
• Workshopping participant scenarios to find group solutions

11. Summary of comparative conclusions
• Golden rules of communication
• Do’s and don’ts

12. Training Summary

• As a closed training, exclusively for employees of your organisation or centre.