Relocating, especially internationally, is an exciting and typically once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You pack up your entire life and learn the language of the country you’re moving to, but what about the culture? Often overlooked, cultural training can make a huge difference in adjusting to your new surroundings. Understanding why the people around you behave the way they do can go a long way to feeling like you belong. Whether adjusting to a new workplace or community, cultural competence is the difference between thriving and feeling like an outsider.
We recently sat down with David Foggiano, Relocation Director at Compass Relocation, to discuss his experience with Global LT’s intercultural training program and its positive impact on him and his colleagues.
“We tried to pinpoint who we work with the most and how we can better understand their culture, needs, and styles. Understanding how our clients operate and what makes them tick in their home location is a big differentiator for us. It was really interesting to gather the information presented so we can understand how to help each other better,” commented David.
Being able to speak to someone in their native language is important to ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, but understanding their cultural background shows that you’ve really taken an interest in getting to know who they are as a person. Learning about a new culture can help you relate better to clients and coworkers to ensure a better relationship.
David mentioned, “The biggest value here is really the unknown because you just don’t know what you don’t know until you start getting into it. [The cultural training] is a really good educational tool, but I think what it truly does is help connect you better to your clients, and understanding them is the first step.”
Learning about culture goes beyond just learning about the religions or celebrations of a new country. Culture also encompasses greeting people personally and professionally, knowing how to give or receive a gift, or even drinking a glass of water.
“I think that relatability is key. The more you understand other cultures, the more you understand other people and how they operate, and the less resistance you’ll get between each other. It’s breaking down prejudiced thoughts and trying to go towards understanding the individual and the culture,” David said.
He continued, “There’s a ton of value. I could say 1,000 positive things about your product's value and what your organization does. Now more than ever, we have such a cross-cultural intermixing that it’s so important to really understand who you’re talking to and how to make a true connection. Everything we’re doing is leading to a better place for everyone.”
Whether to help you avoid culture shock when moving to another country or to improve your professional relationships through clear communication, Global LT’s intercultural training program provides you with the essential skills to work successfully with any culture.
When used internally, our program can help you and your colleagues better understand each other. Internal training promotes clear lines of communication and better relationships, improving organization, productivity, and efficiency.
Used externally, our program can help you better connect with clients and prospects. When you understand the cultural background of your relocating clients and their families, you can accelerate their confidence and comfort in their new environments.
So whether you’re an expat wanting to learn more about your new location or have a team that could benefit from improved relationships, our intercultural training programs are customized to fit your needs.
Cultural training is indispensable for fostering understanding and collaboration in an increasingly diverse world. But don’t just take David’s word for it. Let us know if you’re interested in seeing what Global LT’s cultural training program can do to transform your workforce. We’d love to show you.
This post was written by Megan Tully, Marketing Manager.
