INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

SEMINARS

 

Tools for Effective Communication among Different Cultures

 

 

Paris…Mexico City…Beijing…Buenos Aires…Moscow:  Working, traveling and living abroad is becoming more and more common as globalization of the world economy inevitably continues and economic treaties, such as NAFTA, are developed and implemented.  In the 21st century your business colleagues or your neighbors might speak Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese or Russian, and you may need to know how to operate in their worlds.  It is simply good business to know how to interact with international business clients/colleagues or to be prepared to live abroad successfully.  Without the basic tools of intercultural communication and awareness, you can make mistakes without even knowing it or be unable to adapt to living in a foreign culture, even if that is essential to your job and career. EPI Intercultural Seminars give you a foundation for succeeding in dealing with foreign cultures.

 

SEMINAR GOAL

 

To help prepare individuals to interact effectively in an intercultural context

 

 

SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS:

 

  • American business and professional people who:

(A)    Work with international clients and colleagues in the U.S.

(B)    Travel abroad to work with international clients and colleagues

(C)    Will be living abroad for an extended period of time

 

  • International business and professional people who:

(A)    Will be working in the United States

(B)    Will be living in the United States for an extended period of time

(C)    Wish to better understand American culture

 

 

SEMINAR BENEFITS

 

  • Develop a much greater awareness and understanding of the cultural environment one is working and living in
  • Learn to make appropriate choices within an  unfamiliar cultural context
  • Avoid cultural mistakes that might be costly in business terms or socially
  • Adapt to living and working in a foreign culture much more quickly and successfully

 

 

 

SEMINAR CONTENT:    Becoming a Citizen of the World

 

  • Key areas of intercultural  communication (and miscommunication):  e.g. concepts of time , relationships, non-verbal communication, meeting styles, negotiating styles, hierarchy, taboos,  greetings, gift-giving, dining, drinking, etc.  The focus of the seminar is to help participants develop effective attitudes, awareness and strategies to deal with any foreign culture, as well as look at specifics for individual cultures as needed.

 

We were supposed to meet three hours ago!     I’m supposed to eat that!    I have no idea why he got angry at me.      Who was actually in charge on their team?      Why can’t they  understand a simple word like ”yes” or  “no”?        That was unbelievably insulting of them!       “Don’t they understand the bottom-line?  

 

  • Country-specific Orientation:    This part of the seminar is for cases in which someone or a group is going to spend an extended period of time in another culture.  Research resulting in a presentation and written report will be included, as well as resources for further information.

 

 

SEMINAR LEADER:           http://www.geocities.com/jthaxtont

 

Mr. Thaxton has worked in the Middle East, has studied in Europe, and has traveled in 42 countries.  Much of his professional life has been spent working with international people and cultures, both in the U.S. and abroad:  see website above.   He has lived what he teaches.

 

 

Member of:                            NAFSA          TESOL          SIETAR          Amnesty International