Intercultural Training

The goal of intercultural training is to ensure that employees and families who are living or working internationally are able to successfully manage the cultural differences they encounter. IOR’s cultural training programs are designed to uncover the invisible, but powerful, cultural values that lead to very visible differences in the way people interact socially and at work.

Why are people in some cultures so comfortable openly sharing ideas, when others appear to have nothing to say? Why do colleagues in some cultures insist on spending so much time socializing, when in others just want to get down to business? Why do some cultures feel so rigid when others always seem to be breaking the rules?

And who should adapt to whom?

Understanding the motivation behind the differences begins to de-mystify the clashes that are so common when we work across cultures. Employees who have the skills to maneuver fluidly across cultures hold the key to success in global business.

Intercultural Training for Relocation

Intercultural training for employees and families takes place either before expatriates leave for an international assignment, or post-arrival. The one- or two-day program builds a strong foundation for successful cultural adaptation and effective job performance in the new cultural environment. Repatriation programs focus on applying new insights and skills at home.

Working Globally

Working globally is no longer only the responsibility of expatriates or business travelers. Employees company-wide are working in multi-cultural teams and are often in virtual and face-to-face communication with business partners around the world.  IOR works with employees at all levels of the organization to build strategies for effective intercultural interactions.

Assessment Tools

Assessment tools can be used for assignment selection or as a starting point for employee development.  IOR offers a wide variety of research-based tools to promote understanding of cultural differences and to develop cultural competency.

IOR’s intercultural training programs focus on the important dynamics of intercultural communication.  Being able to successfully recognize and adapt to a variety of communication styles is a critical step toward gaining greater cultural competency.  Intercultural training programs enable employees to begin identifying strategies for bridging cultural differences. Being able to switch between perspectives is the defining skill for building successful business and social relationships, whether employees are relocating to a new host country or working with international colleagues.

IOR’s highly-engaging intercultural training programs motivate employees and their families to: discover their cultural values, analyze the way they interact with others, develop awareness of communication differences and learn to bridge cultural difference.