Description: A one-day cross-cultural training program provided to employees leaving for an assignment overseas.  The employee's spouse may also attend.  The program is conducted by an ITAP-certified trainer along with a country specialist.

Objectives: To prepare the employee to fulfill his/her business objectives during the overseas assignment, which often involves taking on new roles and responsibilities.  The management preferences of the relocating employee are compared to those in the destination country.  The employee then learns how these differences impact business and management practices such as: hiring, managing and motivating people; communicating with superiors, colleagues and subordinates; negotiating and communicating with clients; time management; planning; and business protocol.  By the end of the program, the participant has information on how to avoid mistakes and has developed strategies which enable him/her to be productive from the beginning of the new assignment.

Components: The program usually consists of eight components.  Participants are invited to suggest the extent to which they wish emphasis given to each of these on the basis of their needs and goals.

1. Work Objectives: An in-depth exercise to clarify the management tasks and expectations associated with the employee's new assignment and the potential obstacles to achieving his/her goals.

2. Culture in the Workplace Questionnaire™: This premier cultural profile enables relocating employees to compare their work style preferences with those of employees in the country of assignment.

3. Culture in Business: The employee learns to apply differences in cultural values to the business context.

4. Communication: Language and communication problems and solutions. Simulations are used to practice numerous forms of communication including holding meetings, making presentations and interacting with colleagues and clients.

5. Team-Building: Strategies for developing effective intercultural teams including hiring, managing, motivating and compensating a team in the new culture.

6. Critical Incidents - Understanding Work-Related Dilemmas: A series of situations is examined and evaluated to provide practice in handling typical business problems related to the new work environment.

7. Planning: Building on the country and cultural information that has been discussed during the program, the relocating employee develops a strategy to implement his/her work objectives and achieve his/her business goals in the new cultural, social, political and economic environment.

8. Discussion: Latest business news from the destination country.