Egypt - Working and dealing with the Egyptians
Objectives
The aim of this seminar is to significantly improve the participants’ effectiveness in their professional relationships with Egyptians, enabling them to be operational right from the start.
At the end of this training, participants will have acquired insights and techniques to:
- Be aware of their own cultural baggage
- Fully understand the Egyptian context and culture
- Analyse possible situations in which misunderstandings may arise and identify ways of communicating
- Reduce stress and misunderstandings
- Decipher and understand Egyptian decision-making and negotiation processes
Programme Outline
Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences
1. Intercultural awareness : the key to success in international business
- Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
- The basics of effective intercultural management
- Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes
2. Key aspects of Egyptian culture
- The cradle of civilisation. An intersection of several cultures
- Modern Egyptian identity: the result of a complex heritage
- A country of great geopolitical importance. A changing society
- The educational system
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- Religion as part of daily life
- The family: a central pillar of Egyptian society
- A tradition of tolerance and hospitality
- Dawsha, passion and emotionalism
- The Egyptian way of thinking and reasoning. Communication styles
- A flexible and haphazard view of time
- Physical proximity and its differences between the sexes
- A sense of hierarchy
4. The Egyptian corporate world
- The dichotomy of the public sector and the private sector
- The status accorded to age and qualifications
- Pride in one's job
- The loyalty and commitment of staff
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Egyptians
1. Effective communication with the Egyptians
- The "greetings ritual"
- Communication: the personal touch
- The impact of networking and non-verbal communication
- Working language: the role of the interpreter
2. Adapting your working methods
- Effective management: skills, credibility and leadership
- Decisions by superiors: a willingness to listen, respect and sincerity
- Paying careful attention to appearances. Building trust over the long-term
- Making the most of skills and encouraging responsibility
- Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Egyptians
- Past masters when it comes to trading
- Building trust and confidence
- Planning around unexpected events
- Getting fully involved over the long-term
4. Final handy tips
- Caution, patience and humility
- Protocol and etiquette
- Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
- Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
- Humour: a double-edged sword
