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 Laotian culture

• An enclave state in the middle of the Indochinese peninsula
• French colonisation, Japanese occupation and the conflicts in Indochina
• A people’s republic under the control of the army
• A rural, multiethnic population
• The Buddhist religion
• A buffer state subject Indian and Chinese influences

3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships

• Family origins, bloodlines and community
• Politeness and modesty, restraint and self-control
• The importance of maintaining face and prestige, an aversion to conflict
• An omnipresent hierarchy
• Money, religion and self-worth
• Rules concerning personal space and physical contact
• The Falang: the relationship with foreigners
• Festivals, the Baci ceremony and the culinary arts

4. The Laotian corporate world

• Day-to-day planning influenced by the religious calendar
• Collective decisions, though taken in a strictly hierarchical environment
• State control, the communist party and the authorities

Module 2: Succeeding in work with the Laotians

1. Effective communication with the Laotians

• The importance of greetings and the rules surrounding the “wa”
• Unspoken and implicit communication
• Deciphering what people really mean
• Learning the language: a definite advantage

2. Adapting your working methods

• Effective management: supervising, convincing and problem solving
• Remaining vigilant to avoid being manipulated
• Gaining respect without causing offence
• Building trust and confidence: comradeship and respect
• Pitfalls to be avoided

3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Laotians

• The key to establishing trust: politeness and a willingness to help
• Identifying decision-makers and power chains/power conflicts
• Identifying negotiation styles
• Time, priority and deadline management
• Attitudes to signed contracts and their implications
• Organising the post-negotiation phase

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