Training
Our intercultural seminars "train" people to work and do business with people from other countries and cultures. We divide this - according to the background of the participants - into two parts. First, we find out to what extent the observational habits, feelings, thoughts and actions of our participants are culturally aware. Then we specifically prepare them for situations which involve intercultural interaction.
We base our training on balanced knowledge of German, foreign and intercultural interaction. Building on this, we develop specific strategies for dealing with possible friction stemming from intercultural interaction in team situations, differing executive leadership styles or during negotiations.
Our intercultural training is geared towards:
- people who are planning to live and work abroad.
- people who work or lead a multicultural team.
- people who advise and attend to international staff.
- people who are confronted with intercultural challenges here in Germany.
- family members who accompany employees working abroad.
After appraising and analysing your needs, we present you with a comprehensive offer for a set of seminars tailored to your needs. For our general cultural sensitivity training as well as country and context-specific training, we offer a pool of qualified trainers. At present we offer training specific to individual countries and contexts for the US, Asia, Eastern Europe, France, the Middle East and Latin America.
We normally have two coaches train one group, and at least one of them has a foreign cultural background specific to the target country or area. Questionnaires for self-evaluation for a foreign project help us to prepare a seminar which is then tailored to the experience and background of the participants as well as their training and project needs.
Intercultural competence means the ability to communicate, negotiate and act in culturally diverse situations. People with high intercultural competence have a more pronounced ability to interact with people from another culture independently, effectively and culturally aware to the mutual satisfaction of all involved. This includes the ability to empathise, behavioural flexibility, curiosity, lack of prejudice and the tolerance of ambiguity during negotiations, reflecting on one's own cultural identity as well as the acknowledgement of cultural similarities and differences.
Our seminars on general cultural sensitivity are presented in two parts: thinking / reflecting, then action based on the knowledge acquired. This is why our method includes:
- intercultural case studies
- discussions
- short theoretical presentations
- role-playing using real-life examples
- video material
- simulations
The following topics are covered - taking into account the level of knowledge and experience of the participants:
- cultural and intercultural competence
- characteristics, levels and manifestations of culture
- awareness development of one's own cultural background (self-perception and how others see us)
- introduction to cultural standards and magnitude
- verbal and non-verbal communication in intercultural encounters
- intercultural communication
- stereotypes and preconceptions
- conflict situations and problem-solving strategies
culture-specific seminars
Different cultures and project areas demand different abilities when it comes to doing business. The interplay of situational, professional and cultural factors has to be seen in the respective cultural context using basic intercultural competence.
Because of this, our culture-specific seminars include the following topics:
- cultural and intercultural competence
- awareness development of one's own cultural background (self-perception and how others see us)
- basic socio-cultural facts, norms and values of the target country
- presentation of culturally specific behavioural patterns and "rules of the game"
- investigation of culturally specific communication patterns (hierarchy, bureaucracy, work mentality, teamwork, relationships)
- shedding light on specific intercultural conflicts in daily life in the business world
- description of daily life in the target culture
- interculturally differing leadership styles
Building on a general refresher course on intercultural interaction, our method - modified according to the experience and background of the participants - includes:
- discussion of the target culture
- short theoretical presentations
- intercultural case studies
- role-playing based on real-life examples with a coach from the target culture
- video material
- simulations
In intercultural coaching, we investigate each key situation individually. Through this individual support, we develop problem-solving strategies which enable our clients to specify their own ideas, set goals and to initiate behavioural changes to themselves and their environment. This kind of seminar (individual or in teams) can stand on its own or can also complement a culture-specific training course. Our seminars take place on-site or are supported through new media.
Our method - taking into account the specific requirements of the participants and project - includes:
- analysis of strengths and weaknesses
- video-supported role-playing
- systemic constellations
- work with organisational charts
