Cross-Cultural Training

Cultural awareness training is essential to success in today's global marketplace. Multinationals risk losing millions of dollars from failed international ventures if they are not sensitive to cultural differences around the world. Recent studies show that the most common reason for failure in international assignments is the inability of employees to adapt to and manage different cultures. VIP’s Cross-Cultural Training Programs prepare employees to understand and interact successfully with other cultures which will facilitate effective communication and ensure success in international business transactions.

The following facts and figures may give you a better idea of the issues and costs entailed in failing to accomplish international assignments. VIP’s Cross-Cultural Training Programs can help your company avoid these issues.

Assignment failure rates range from 7% to 20%, depending upon the source and home country.
The cost of one international assignment failure can range between $100,000- $300,000 per employee with a base salary ranging from $75,000 to $100,000, with a total cost per year for US-based companies as high as $2,000,000,000.
 
Expatriate failure may lead to the non-fullfilment of strategic objectives, which may also harm the company’s reputation and/or brand image.
Some hidden costs of failure for the employee can include low self-esteem, loss of prestige amongst colleagues, family problems, depression, embarrassment, career-path damage and loss of promotion prospects.
 
Executives interviewed about the reasons for their failure frequently identify the inability of both parties involved in the joint venture to recognize that they had different and incompatible approaches to the task. Cultural differences did not allow them to agree on terms or a common ground.
 

McNulty, Yvonne and Phyllis Tharenou. “Expatriate Return on Investment: A Definition and Antecedents.” International Studies of Management & Organization 34.3 (2004): 68–95.

Cross-Cultural Training Program Information

VIP can facilitate you international transactions by empowering your employees to understand and manage cultural differences. Our Cross-Cultural Training Programs can be paired with our Language Training and Relocation Services to ensure a smooth transition for your employees.
VIP can design a Cross-Cultural Training Program tailored to the needs of your company and your overseas projects. First, we conduct a careful assessment of the overseas project, and then create a program that suits your requirements, strategic goals/objectives, availability and time frame.

VIP's Cross-Cultural Training Programs are:

Customized for the specific country, region and city where the assignment or venture will take place
Structured in four 8-hour sessions or longer, depending on the project
Conducted by an experienced, professional, bicultural facilitator

Cross-Cultural Training is suitable for:

Expatriates moving overseas by themselves or with their families on long-term or short-term assignments.
Business groups traveling to negotiate or interact with foreign business partners.
Foreign executives transferred to the US, who need to familiarize themselves with local customs, the English language and business practices.
 
 

Your employees will develop an understanding of a foreign country’s:

  
 
Country facts/statistics
Local customs
Government/legal procedures
Management practices
Economy
Social values (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism, time orientation, etc…)
Business and social etiquette
 
  Understanding differences in language and culture will improve international transactions by developing a company’s ability to:  
 
Improve business communication
Improve teamwork resulting from well-trained supervisors and support staff
Enhance the ability of employees to effectively coordinate projects by building a positive relationship with their international partners
Identify potential complications that may arise in a foreign country
Manage cultural differences
Communicate effectively with locals