Intercultural Training and Coaching
Intercultural training for employees with different international contacts
The continuing globalisation of the economy has led to an increasing number of international teams working together across national borders.
Furthermore there are more employees with partners and customers around the globe. Via intercultural training you obtain a more effective collaboration despite cultural differences.
The goal of intercultural training is not to broaden the cultural difference by finger-pointing at them. On the contrary, the goal is to acknowledge the worldwide differences without criticizing them and by making the best out of it.
This is because intercultural cooperation often means to reflect on your own cultural background. You need to question your own behaviour and to be able to react flexibly to other cultural communication styles. Without that flexibility it is difficult to become successful in international settings.
General challenges of intercultural cooperation
- How do I communicate with colleagues from other cultures?
- In which way do I recognise intercultural differences, and how can I react flexibly to them?
- Why do colleagues sometimes react so strangely?
- What is important when communicating with people with different cultural backgrounds?
- How do I deal with international customers? What are their expectations?
- What is an interculturally competent way to give effective feedback?
If you have a concrete international team that needs an intercultural team training please see International virtual teams. The same applies if the virtual collaboration in international teams should also be part of the training.
Country specific training for the United Kingdom, France and the US
For German-based employees or seen from a world-wide perspective
It is not always easy to maintain successful international cooperation and good international business relations. The United Kingdom, France and the US seem to be very similar cultures to the German culture for example. They are all Western cultures.
However, appearances are sometimes deceptive: Irritations may arise, why the chemistry is not as good as expected. And why business transactions don’t work so well.
Intercultural competence and flexibility is often a precondition for good relationships with colleagues and partners worldwide. It also means becoming more open and flexible toward non-expected behaviour and different expectations
Challenges of working with the British, the French, or the US Americans from a German perspective
- What should I do to maintain good business relations with the British, the French, and Americans?
- How can I avoid intercultural misunderstandings?
- What do Americans really mean if they ask ‘How are you doing’?
- Are all Americans superficial?
- Why do the French always stick together?
- Are the French really all arrogant?
- Which faux-pas should I avoid with the British?
- What does my British boss mean if he says ‘Maybe you want to…’?
Avoid falling into the trap of assuming we are the same. Get the necessary intercultural competence and flexibility to improve your business dealings and cooperation with the British, French and Americans.
Intercultural ‘Germany training’
For international employees working with Germans / working in German companies / having German customers
More and more international employees work in Germany. They have different cultural backgrounds: For this reason they often have difficulties integrating and communicating freely with their colleagues and superiors in German. Understanding the German language is a first important step.
But to be successful in Germany, it is also important to understand the German business culture. This is key to understanding the German expectations and to the German communication style.
The same applies for international employees based in different countries but working for German companies. They often need to communicate and cooperate a lot with the Germans from Headquarters. Even though these employees do not need to learn German understanding the typical German behaviours in business is essential in order to avoid expensive misunderstandings and demotivation.
Typical challenges for international employees working with Germans
- Who can I call “du”, and who should I call “Sie”? Why is there this difference anyway?
- Why are the Germans often so rude?
- One appointment after another, is this really necessary?
- How punctually do I have to turn up for meetings?
- Why does my boss act so strangely?
- What can I do to be taken seriously, so that I can get ahead here?
- Why are the Germans so distant and formal?
How you benefit from intercultural training and coaching:
- Productive cooperation and fewer misunderstandings in international teams
- Successful international business relationships
- Integrated and motivated international employees, who stay in the company long-term
- A stronger feeling of ‘one company’ – regardless of the country the employees live and work in
Contents of intercultural training and coaching sessions
Intercultural training is usually scheduled over 1-2 days. Benefit from tailor-made intercultural training and coaching for your needs.
- International cultural dimensions: How do cultures differ?
- Cultural standards in Germany: What makes the Germans tick?
- Cultural standards in the UK: What makes the British tick?
- Cultural standards in France: What makes the French tick?
- Cultural standards in the US: What makes the Americans tick?
- Meetings, presentations, negotiations and cooperation with Germans, the British, the French and Americans
- Intercultural communication for Germans
Offer your employees an intercultural training for more intercultural competency in the company. Make sure that intercultural differences will not become a stumbling block globally. For more information please contact me.