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 Latvian culture

• A Baltic state: geography, population and languages
• A multi-ethnic society
• A fragile economic situation
• The challenges of European integration

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

• A well-entrenched tradition of equality
• The powerful role played by women in Latvia
• Reserve, caution and mistrust
• The importance attached to appearances
• The slow pace of time in Latvia
• Humour, irony and causticity
• The importance of collective folklore

4. The Latvian corporate world

• The persistence of Soviet methods
• The differences between the private and public sectors
• A hierarchical company structure with centralized decision-making
• Professional relationships

Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Latvians

1. Effective communication with the Latvians

• The importance of networking
• Understanding gestures
• Silences and unspoken communication
• The advantages of learning Latvian

2. Adapting your working methods

• Effective management: experience, reliability and perseverance
• Building trust to maximise personal commitment
• Dealing with touchy and sensitive people in order to combat inertia
• The importance of socialisation both through and during work
• Pitfalls to be avoided

3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Latvians

• Proposing and convincing
• Forging long-term relationships
• Patience and perseverance
• Attitudes to contracts and their implications

4. Final handy tips

• Caution, patience and humility
• Protocol and etiquette
• Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code
• Sensitive subjects: politics, history, Russia
• Humour: a double-edged sword