| The
Issue For
an executive arriving in a different country, it is vital to learn the “local
ways.” There are dangers of discussing this solely with other expatriates,
as often they will receive little more than a well developed prejudice for the
locals. Management style can be very different and, although internationally experienced
executives move from country to country, they may find that seemingly similar
cultures are so different in reality, alienation can occur and affect productivity.
With
the power of web-based project management tools, never before have managers faced
the amazing opportunity of co-ordinating such a diverse mix of cultures. The negative
impact of this technology can be to “de-humanise” international management,
eroding cultural sensitivity. To get the best out of these teams of both staff
and suppliers, coaching can be used as an opportunity to focus on the human dimension
of the process and to identify goals which would create a greater sense of community. When
a company owns a business in another country, often the relationship is little
more than an associate agreement: there are one or two individuals at the top
of the organisation who report results to their parent company. In
the case of existing businesses which have been acquired, it often seems that
very few of the local staff are even aware that they are now part of an international
group; they may simply see themselves as the original company, superficially re-branded,
with no motivation to explore international opportunities that result in being
part of a larger group. For example, if a French company has a significant customer
in Paris,
then the London
office should seek an introduction to that company in the UK. When
people move with their family, there can be many distractions and challenges in setting up home,
which require more than just material guidance. The
Coach
Our coaches
will have had experience of working in various countries and coaching new arrivals,
as well as people who want to “raise their game." Coaches of this level
will also be aware of management style and cultural differences and will be able
to deal with these within the context of the working role. The
Coaching
Coaching
is an ideal way to communicate cultural differences, as it is a form of learning
that does not give all sorts of questionable advice. It will explore what the
client believes about the new country and help the client discover which of the
views are helpful and which are myths. Then practical suggestions and examples
will enable a faster adaptation to the new environment. For
local staff, we also believe that coaching will identify and work through specific
projects involving other international companies. If companies want to increase
the benefits of an international presence, then coaching is the ideal way to ensure
that these opportunities actually happen.
Summary
People
often laugh at cultural differences. However, in the business world, management
needs to gain the confidence of staff, and sales people need to close deals and
create long-term relationships. One of the key ways of gaining people’s
confidence is to show a knowledge and willingness to learn about them and their
way of doing things.
Although
this may seem obvious, coaching can speed up and improve this process, avoiding
a stressful and sometimes antagonistic atmosphere. In a competitive business world,
we believe coaching gives an advantage so that the full opportunities that globalisation
offers can be realised.
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