| Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon | | | | problems in the workplace at a very different |
| communication and interpersonal relationships. In | | | | angle to traditional methods. Its innovative, |
| the business world this occurs daily, where people | | | | alternative and motivating way of analysing and |
| from different cultures interact and are expected | | | | resolving problems helps people to adopt a |
| to perform and make decisions. Cross cultural | | | | similarly creative strategy when approaching |
| training aims to develop awareness between | | | | challenges in their work or personal lives. |
| people where a common cultural framework does | | | | Develop Interpersonal Skills: Through cross cultural |
| not exist in order to promote clear lines of | | | | training participants develop great 'people skills' |
| communication and better relationships. | | | | that can be applied in all walks of life. By learning |
| Cross cultural training has many benefits to be | | | | about the influence of culture, i.e. the hidden |
| gained by both participants and businesses. For | | | | factors upon people's behaviours, those who |
| participants in cross cultural training, the 10 main | | | | undertake cross cultural training begin to deal with |
| benefits are that it helps: | | | | people with a sensitivity and understanding that |
| People Learn About Themselves: Through cross | | | | may have previously been lacking. |
| cultural training, people are exposed to facts and | | | | Develop Listening Skills: Listening is an integral |
| information about their own cultures, | | | | element of effective and productive |
| preconceptions, mentalities and worldviews that | | | | communication. Cross cultural training helps people |
| they may otherwise not have contemplated. | | | | to understand how to listen, what to listen for |
| Cross cultural training helps people learn more | | | | and how to interpret what they hear within a |
| about themselves through learning about others. | | | | much broader framework of understanding. By |
| Encourage Confidence: Cross cultural training | | | | becoming good listeners, people naturally become |
| promotes self-confidence in individuals and teams | | | | good communicators. |
| through empowering them with a sense of | | | | People Use Common Ground: In the workplace |
| control over previously difficult challenges in the | | | | people have a tendency to focus on differences. |
| workplace. | | | | When cross cultural communication problems arise |
| Break Down Barriers: All of us have certain | | | | the natural inclination is to withdraw to opposing |
| barriers such as preconceptions, prejudices and | | | | sides and to highlight the negative aspects of the |
| stereotypes that obstruct our understanding of | | | | other. Cross cultural training assists in developing a |
| other people. Cross cultural training demystifies | | | | sense of mutual understanding between people by |
| other cultures through presenting them under an | | | | highlighting common ground. Once spaces of |
| objective light. Through learning about other | | | | mutual understanding are established, people begin |
| cultures, barriers are slowly chipped away thus | | | | to use them to overcome culturally challenging |
| allowing for more open relationships and dialogue. | | | | situations. |
| Build Trust: When people's barriers are lowered, | | | | Career Development: Cross cultural training |
| mutual understanding ensues, which results in | | | | enhances people's skills and therefore future |
| greater trust. Once trust is established altruistic | | | | employment opportunities. Having cross cultural |
| tendencies naturally manifest allowing for greater | | | | awareness gives people a competitive edge over |
| co-operation and a more productive workplace. | | | | others especially when applying for positions in |
| Motivate: One of the outcomes of cross cultural | | | | international companies with a large multi-cultural |
| training is that people begin to see their roles | | | | staff base. |
| within the workplace more clearly. Through | | | | The above benefits are but a few of the many |
| self-analysis people begin to recognise areas in | | | | ways in which cross cultural training positively |
| which they need to improve and become | | | | affects businesses through staff training and |
| motivated to develop and progress. | | | | development. |
| Open Horizons: Cross cultural training addresses | | | | |