Who Should Attend

Any member of a multicultural team or working with a multicultural team

Benefits of Attendance

• Be aware of their one's own cultural baggage
• Understand the culture of the people with whom one interacts professionally
• Decode different communication practices and the working methods of one's colleagues
• Anticipate and prevent breakdowns in communication stemming from cultural differences
• Establishing common standards and a common language
• Acquiring the skills needed to successfully work as part of a multicultural team.

Training Approach

• Team work and case studies experiences in the company
• Personalized action plan and cross-cultural strategies
• Access to the Nomad’ Network, an exclusive online tool for Akteos’ clients and experts : find resources, exchange experiences, knowledge and insights

Programme Outline

Module 1: Understanding cultural codes

1. Pinpointing cultural differences

• The rules by which groups operate
• Identifying sources of ambiguity and incomprehension
• Reconciling differences

2. Developping awarenesse of culture's impact on communication

• The origins of culture and value systems
• Cross-cultural interactions: individual, functional, organizational and national levels
• Preconceptions and stereotypes
• The stages of cultural adaptation
• Differing perceptions and communication problems

3. Decoding cultures

• How time and space are managed
• Reasoning styles, risk-taking and change management
• Social relationships with individuals and groups
• Importance attached to tasks and relationships
• Communication (implicit, explicit and non-verbal messages)
• Power distance, status and acceptance of rules
• Expression of emotions in the workplace, conflict management

4. Ananlysing one's cultural profile

• Individual profile
• Group profile

3.2 Module 2: Maximising the effectiveness of multicultural teams

1. Creating a climate of trust

• The notion of trust differs from one culture to another
• Identifying any possible causes of suspicion
• Obtaining information about each culture represented within the team structure
• Maximising cultural synergy: making the most of proximity
• Resolving cultural conflicts

2. Creating a common language

• Understanding the linguistic context
• Listening more closely to understand underlying and implicit meanings
• Checking that your contacts have correctly understood your message
• Drawing up team standards and benchmarks
• Organizing successful meetings based around a common denominator

3. Adapting working tools and methods

• Identifying cultural traits and habits
• Anticipating any factors likely to constitute an obstacle
• Managing time, priorities and deadlines
• Introducing an effective and dynamic working climate and organisation
• Creating a common working culture
• Areas requiring attention: checking, reacting, managing

4. Communicating more effectively over long distances

• The special characteristics of remote teams
• Identifying sources of influence or power
• Better written communication.  Getting your message across effectively by telephone
• Long distance meetings