New-Caledonia - Working and dealing efficiently with the New-Caledonian French
Benefits of Attendance
The aim of this seminar is to significantly improve the participants’ effectiveness in their professional relationships with the New Caledonian French 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 Caledonian context and culture
- Analyse possible situations in which misunderstandings may arise and identify ways of communicating
- Reduce stress and misunderstandings
- Decipher and understand Caledonian 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 New-Caledonian culture
- A French archipelago in the Melanesian Arc
- A multi-ethnic and multilingual population
- New Caledonia's Kanak and Caldoche heritage: a turbulent history
- An economy based on mining, finance and tourism
- An unusual and temporary French overseas regional authority
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- A strong attachment to the land and to one's origins
- Powerful patriarchal and clan-related values
- Spirituality and stability
- When private and public life overlap
- A respect for status and authority
- A strong sense of identity and honour
- Community and collective ties
4. The Caledonian corporate world
- The labour market: a source of social betterment and discrimination
- Clearly defined and managed roles and functions
- The role of the state and the authorities
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the New-Caledonian
1. Effective communication with the New-Caledonian French
- Moderation and formality: the importance attached to appearances
- The importance of protocol and etiquette
- Deciphering non-verbal communication
- Varying communication styles according to the situation
- The French language and local dialects
2. Adapting your working methods
- Effective management: leadership, discipline and experience
- Encouraging a team spirit and group cohesion
- Supervision, guidance and praise
- Giving relationships that personal touch
- Enhancing complementarity and encouraging performance
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the New-Caledonian French
- Understanding and verifying the context or situation
- Adapting your strategic decisions: a willingness to listen combined with responsiveness
- Creating the right conditions for a long-term partnership
- Attitudes to contracts and their implications
- Understanding 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
