Guadeloupe - Working and dealing with the Guadeloupian French
Benefits of Attendance
The aim of this seminar is to significantly improve the participants’ effectiveness in their professional relationships with the Guadeloupians, 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 Guadeloupian context and culture
- Analyse possible situations in which misunderstandings may arise and identify ways of communicating
- Reduce stress and misunderstandings
- Decipher and understand Guadeloupian 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 Guadeloupian culture
- A Caribbean archipelago in the French West Indies
- A young and racially mixed population
- A rich and diverse heritage thanks to Guadeloupe's long history
- Creole roots with a republican administration
- An economy chiefly based on agriculture and tourism
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- A flair for hospitality
- Matriarchal values handed down from one generation to the next
- Social behaviour
- Community ties and the importance of festivities
- A polychronic view of time
- Pride in one's identity, touchiness and a sense of honour
- The importance attached to status and education
4. The Guadeloupian corporate world
- A hierarchical corporate structure
- A work ethic which places the emphasis on performance
- Privilege, favouritism and nepotism
- The prevalence of public sector employment and the cruel reality of unemployment
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Guadeloupian French
1. Effective communication with the Guadeloupians
- A communication style heavily characterised by ambivalence
- Politeness, protocol and etiquette
- The importance of networking
2. Adapting your working methods
- Effective management : a willingness to listen, discretion and leadership
- Listening, deciding and acting
- Showing respect and carefully cultivating your reputation
- Encouraging a team spirit and feedback
- Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Guadeloupians
- Preparing your arguments and your action plan
- Proposals, compromises, follow-up and perseverance
- The comparative advantage to be gained from networking
- Understanding written contracts, their interpretation and implications
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
