Intercultural Training

• Pre-Departure Programs and Programs for the Incoming Expatriate
• Repatriation
• Executive Programs for Negotiators and Business Travellers
• Multicultural Team Building
• Assignment Assessment Programs
• Argonaut Online

ICC provides Intercultural services to a large number of Australia-based organizations, including business, government, education and aid institutions. We work with employees and their families, project teams, business travellers and staff associated with international operations.

ICC’s Intercultural Training Programs are delivered in every capital city of Australia and in many remote locations. Through our associates worldwide can deliver programs across the globe.

Our trainers are all well qualified professionals from a variety of backgrounds, with experience in business, and in living and working overseas. Our trainers undergo regular training and development in the field of cross cultural awareness and training techniques.

ICC responds quickly to its clients’ needs, and tailor programs to meet the specific needs of both employees and families. In the case of relocating families, ICC runs age-appropriate parallel programs for school age children to introduce their host location and address their issues and concerns.

Pre-Departure Programs and Programs for the Incoming Expatriate

These are practical custom designed programs for the individual (and family) that will assist their effective adjustment into any foreign country. Modules include daily living, family adjustment, historical perspectives, cross cultural comparison, living and working with cultural difference. External presenters with recent experience living and working in the particular host country are sourced from academia, business and government sources to contribute to each program, delivering the host country specific modules.

Customized programs are designed on the basis of discussion with the relocate and completion of a comprehensive needs assessment questionnaire. These programs will:

• Help the employee hit the ground running, confident of being able to interact appropriately in the job in the new culture and achieve maximum effectiveness
• Assist in positive family adjustment and wellbeing. As many as one in five overseas assignments fail due to issues connected with the family’s adaptation to the new culture.
• Underwrite the success of your investment

Children’s programs

Customized children’s programs are designed on the basis of discussion and needs assessment questionnaires, and delivered by experienced trained teachers. Program objectives are to:

• Validate the children’s own concerns about the move, and address them positively
• Teach them about life in the host country in a fun and interactive way
• Prepare them for the roller coaster ride of emotions
• Recognize the role of each family member in supporting the others

Repatriation

A custom designed program to help organizations retain valued employees. Provides a forum for returnees and their families to discuss adjustment issues and put perspective on their overseas experience. An estimated 40% of returning expatriates leave the company within 2 years (GMAC Global Relocation Survey Trends 2000). ICC’s Repatriation Programs assist employees and families returning to Australia to:

• Identify and develop strategies for the effective management of personal and professional issues involved with repatriation
• Explore changes in the industry, the home office, the country and the community
• Develop realistic plans for celebrating the overseas experience and incorporating elements into their new life
• Review the Overseas Assignment, reflecting on
  • Shifts in cultural orientation
  • Challenges encountered
  • Skills acquired, and how to utilize them in the home environment
  • Recognize and understand the process of transition and change, particularly as it relates to the phenomenon of Reverse Culture Shock

Executive Programs for Negotiators and Business Travellers

Programs designed to maximize effectiveness of executives negotiating in different cultures through understanding of different values, expectations and negotiating techniques

These practical custom designed programs will provide your business negotiators and overseas travelers with the tools needed to interact appropriately and effectively in pursuit of your company’s goals

In association with our wide base of resource people we will create a forum for discussion from of the following:

• Framework for working with cultural difference
• Communication techniques including verbal and non verbal
• Business and social etiquette
• Historical, social and political perspectives
• Current trends and issues
• Negotiating skills for win-win outcomes
• Country specific negotiating styles
• Practical tips in surviving business travel
• Use of interpreters

Multicultural Team Building

These interactive workshops are designed to produce more effective teams in a work environment that includes people from different cultures

Workshops will:

• Identify cultural differences between team members
• Provide forum for discussion about these differences
• Create constructive communication strategies for team work
• Identify business strengths in each cultural group
• Develop positive dynamics within the team
• Create synergies to maximize effectiveness of team structure
• These workshops will include role-plays and team exercises to equip individuals with the tools to contribute effectively to their team in the workplace

Assignment Assessment Programs

As part of the pre-departure decision-making and preparation phase, this session provides an opportunity for potential expatriates and employers to increase knowledge and understanding of the cultural and personal issues associated with a specific international relocation. Subsequent to the session detailed evaluation and feedback will be provided to both participants and their employers. Should the assignment proceed, the session provides an important first stage of pre-departure preparation.

Program Objectives:

• To provide a framework for understanding cultural differences and how they are manifested and work and social settings
• To develop cultural profiles and consider the cross cultural implications of this assignment
• To gain information on the normal pattern of intercultural adaptation and to consider the particular issues involved in accepting this assignment

Argonaut Online

Argonaut is a simple-to-use intercultural training tool that can be completed on line in about 20 minutes, and gives immediate feedback in clear diagrammatic form, highlighting major areas of difference and potential conflict between the home and the target culture. As well as giving further information about each of the countries in each of twelve areas, such as use of time, or conflict resolution, Argonaut suggests strategies for overcoming the gaps, and allows the participants to apply the strategies to realistic practical scenarios.

Argonaut for individual employees:

• Argonaut is a valuable tool to help focus on individual needs and areas of potential conflict in pre-departure programs for International Assignees, particularly when their responsibilities cover more than one country.
• In conjunction with telephone coaching, it can be used for International Assignees who are being cross-posted, who are in remote locations, or who for whatever reason are unable to access face-to face pre-departure intercultural training.
• Argonaut can be used very successfully as a tool for the training of high potential employees to operate effectively in the global marketplace.
• Business Travellers can significantly increase their knowledge and effectiveness, and be coached for success in negotiating cross-culturally.

Argonaut for Teams

• Teams working with colleagues based in other countries will benefit through understanding perceptions of each other, and working through those perceptions to leverage strengths and overcome areas of conflict
• Multicultural teams can also learn to identify the range of their strengths and abilities, and leverage them while recognising and minimising the areas of potential conflict

A more detailed Argonaut Brochure is available for download.