Cross-cultural Support

The value of cross-cultural support goes beyond relocation as an essential tool for growing global organisations.

Difficulties in coping with a change of culture can be a major contributory factor when a relocation doesn't work out. 'Culture shock' can add to the pressure on an employee who is already having to cope with the demands of a new job, and may have a negative effect on the whole family, leading to a decision not to continue with the posting – depressing for the family, and costly for the company. Cross-cultural support is, therefore, of great value, both to individuals and to you as an employer.

Profile Locations' practical cross-cultural awareness programmes for relocation ease the transition for employees and their families relocating to the UK or overseas, ensuring smooth and successful relocations. They provide cost-effective, flexible solutions tailored to your organisation’s business needs, from recruitment to repatriation.

Our comprehensive range of support includes:

• Cross-cultural support programmes, for individuals and groups
• Industry sector cross-cultural training
• Spousal and family support
• Cross-cultural support for overseas recruits
• Repatriation support

Each of our programmes is delivered by experienced cross-cultural consultants, with the assistance of a national of the country as appropriate.

Two types of programme are available:

Since family harmony is essential to the success of a new posting, these programmes are suitable for spouses as well as company employees.

Content is stimulating and comprehensive. We not only cover the basics of everyday living, such as essential documentation, health, climate and transport, but also add value by exploring cultural differences and similarities and their effects on personal interaction and communication, both in business life and in the wider world.

2. Specialist in-depth support and development within the business context, for employees and their managers

Employees operating across global platforms, or needing to function effectively in a new country, must understand their own culture and the culture they are operating in as part of their personal and business development. Profile Locations is unique in being able to deliver a seamless service, providing cross-cultural support and training to support relocation and the needs of the business through the diversity of our experienced consultants, who work together to provide exactly the combination of support you require.

Our approach combines relocation expertise and extensive location knowledge with the expertise of specialists in HR, cross-cultural training, career development, change management and a range of industry sectors.

Programmes are individually tailored and interactive, to cover participants' key concerns, align their individual cultural identity with that of the new country, and satisfy their wider needs.

Topics covered include business communication, global development, teambuilding, office culture, protocol, business functions, and work values. In addition, we add value by exploring:

• Building cross-cultural teams
• Managing global projects
• Negotiating and delivering client services
• Managing international virtual teams

Case studies

Pierre was CEO of a vibrant, highly challenging growth company operating transnationally and offering him significant career potential. His coaching programme took place during his first few months, when he was especially keen to maximise his value for the company; it was growing fast, and there was significant pressure on him to perform at the same time as stepping up to lead a multinational and expanding team operating in three countries. As a result of the coaching programme, Pierre radically changed his management and leadership styles: he began to capitalise on the multifaceted resources represented by his team, to understand and leverage cultural differences between team members, to plan and manage growth, and to bring to his company more of the skills and capabilities that made him distinctive.

Pierre said at the end of the coaching programme that it had enabled him to gain a greater understanding of his priorities and to develop a set of tools to think about, and manage, his work and other priorities. He observed that, as a result of the coaching, he was more focused professionally, better at prioritising and delegating, and had improved his ability to balance different demands. His company was now getting a better return on its investment in him in terms of both effectiveness and productivity. Six months after the end of the coaching, Pierre was still applying the learning he had gained, which had seen him become more efficient and more balanced.

Jens, MD of a fast-growing business, wanted to improve both his leadership skills and the company's results. He had moved to this London-based post from the European mainland, and, although he was well travelled, he struggled with some aspects of British culture in the workplace. He wanted a coach with an international outlook who would help him discover his inner strengths, learn how he could convert those strengths into business benefits and be clear about why his expectations of his team were sometimes disappointed.

The coaching programme aimed to enhance Jens's leadership and management skills and help him increase his understanding of how differing cultural expectations impacted on communication and leadership – and, therefore, on business results – and what he could do to align them more effectively. As a result of the programme, Jens believes he has improved his management behaviour and is now a more effective leader.

A Brazilian spouse had thought she was adequately prepared for life in the UK, but, on arrival, found it impossible to integrate, because 'everything was so different'. By talking to her, our consultant was able to identify the places where she would feel at home in her new city, places where the language, food, atmosphere and style were closely aligned to her own. The consultant also linked her to other like-minded people, so that she could form a ready-made network, satisfying her emotional and social needs. Her quality of life was immediately improved, which, she said, had a powerful impact on her partner's wellbeing and ability to focus on his job, and subsequently enhanced the relocation experience.

For further details, please contact us.