Cultural Training Benefits in the Employee’s Words
Working with intercultural competence, sometimes called intercultural agility or global mindset, is essential for a company’s sustained international success. This requires team members to expand the way they look at the world of work and acquire a deeper understanding about the diversity and cultures in which they are working. Living and working abroad promotes personal and professional growth, requires resourcefulness and adaptability, and provides an opportunity to develop cultural sensitivity and to learn another language. The decision to send employees to work and live abroad promotes the organization’s global agility.
Take advantage of cultural training before, during, and after relocation to maximize global agility and ensure a successful assignment outcome that benefits the organization.
Part One: Candidate Selection
Prior to assignment, assessment based analysis of cultural competencies and preparedness for an international move that identifies strengths and gaps to better manage selection and transition.
Part Two: Cultural Training
Pre or Post-departure, focuses on self-awareness of cultural values and work style and preparation for the employee and accompanying family on living and working in the host country.
Part Three: Intercultural Coaching
While on assignment, IOR’s Intercultural Coaching programs focus on developing effective communication skills as part of a global team.
Part Four: Repatriation Training
Identifies acquired knowledge and skills for successful reintegration that benefits the organization and explores re-entry, or reverse culture shock
The benefits of providing cultural training across all phases of the international assignment are best summarized by the testimonials of a diverse array of employees, from first time relocations to seasoned expats:
- “The program helped provide greater awareness around my own personal experience navigating multicultural environments. I appreciated [trainer’s] ability to tailor content specific to my needs and what I could find most useful based on my own awareness of intercultural sensitivity.”
- “It enables you to recognize your management style and how it will fit or not in the host country. It allows you to identify areas to leverage from and which ones to watch out for. It also provided me with a clear and deeper understanding of working in [host country] and how it compares to other cultures where I have lived and experienced throughout my professional career.”
- “Any expat should go through this type of program to prepare for success when facing a cultural shock and a new environment. Past success does not mean future success, and the ability to adapt to the new culture quickly is such a fundamental aspect of an international career.”
- “This was extremely valuable for coping and understanding the real challenges associated with being back home after an assignment. It is a normal part of the expatriate experience.”
