What does it take to be a global manager?
In an increasingly international business world, cross-cultural encounters are ever more frequent. International mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, multinational meetings and special project teams now put greater demands on the communication skills of managers to establish, maintain and repair business relations.
International Strategy
Any international strategy must acknowledge the determining role the management of cultural differences can play in the success or failure of strategic international alliances of all kinds. Creating a team of managers and key professionals with the right linguistic, communication, and attitudinal skills to operate in global markets is essential for cross-border alliances to function effectively.
Vive la Difference?
We all know the problems that language can cause for international marketing; the car name that means "no go" in Spanish; the Swedish biscuit that sounds particularly unpleasant in English -- but how controversial can the colour of product packaging be? The short answer is very! Producing a standard package design for the European market makes sound financial and brand image sense but satisfying the varying cultural influences at work in different European markets can prove extremely difficult. The Italians may want bright colours and vivid graphics but why is simple brown cardboard such a hit with the Germans, Danes and Swedes?
A specific need for global skills training
There is an emerging need for communication training for both native and non-native speakers, which focuses primarily on the first of these skills. It is a lack of sensitivity to the cultural factor, which too often impedes their effectiveness as communicators despite competent linguistic skills and an interpersonal style appropriate to communicating with colleagues, and counterparts who share 'acceptable' ways of behaving.
Addressing the issues
So how can you avoid the pitfalls and help your company become an effective global operator without:
- any specific knowledge of foreign languages?
- any specific overseas experience?
- any time-consuming research?
What can you do?
Global Excellence has the fast and efficient solution. It's called Global Manager's Programme. This empowering one-day foundation seminar provides an essential framework to help you appreciate different business cultures and develop the skills and confidence you need to build successful business relationships. Participants will learn techniques and skills that they can apply to their work situation immediately. There's no more cost-effective way to prepare for the challenges of the international market place.
- Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to better:
- Use strategies for building more productive teams
- Use a highly effective model for understanding cultural assumptions
- Communicate critical information clearly
- Work in a manner that inspires new ways of thinking in a diverse group
- Understand how culture impacts work styles, teamwork and communication