Gabon - Working and dealing with the Gabonese
Benefits of Attendance
The aim of this seminar is to significantly improve the participants’ effectiveness in their professional relationships with the Gabonese, 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 Gabonese context and the culture
- Analyse possible situations in which misunderstandings may arise and identify ways of communicating
- Reduce stress and misunderstandings
- Decipher and understand Gabonese decision-making and negotiation processes
Training Approach
- Exercises and case studies based on the experience of participants 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 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 Gabonese culture
- An equatorial country of sub-Saharan Africa
- A young, large, multiethnic population
- The impact of French colonisation
- The challenges posed by independence and democracy
- Oil: a precious windfall which has attracted numerous other countries
- The economic ambitions of a tightly run state
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- A male-dominated society
- The family: the cornerstone of Gabonese society
- The presence of religion in a secular environment
- A relative view of time
- Hierarchy and social classes
- The group and the community takes precedence over the individual
- Pride in one’s identity. A sense of honour
4. The Gabonese corporate world
- A respect for hierarchies and authority
- The collective aspects of productivity
- Personal commitment and a fear of failure
- The influence of politics on the country’s economic and business life
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Gabonese
1. Effective communication with the Gabonese
- A direct communication style
- Deciphering unspoken messages
- The importance of mediators and networking
- The French language and local dialects
2. Adapting your working methods
- Say what you mean and do what you say
- Supervising staff and giving praise where praise is due
- Encouraging feedback
- Dealing with sensitive and touchy people
- Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Gabonese
- Giving relationships that personal touch: humility and subtlety
- Patience, perseverance and coherence
- Self expression: frankness and honesty
- Written contracts, their interpretation and implications
- Organising the post-negotiation phase
4. Final handy tips
- Caution, patience and humility
- Protocol and etiquette
- Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code
- Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
- Humour: a double-edged sword
