Global Business Culture

Expatriation

Delivering Cultural Connections

Expatriation
It can take a secondee many months to learn how to operate effectively in their new host country. Many old business habits may need to be abandoned and new approaches developed. This 'learning curve' can be very difficult for both the secondee and their new local colleagues - not to mention expensive for the organisation.

Targeted, quality training interventions prior to expatriation will speed up the process of successful integration and make the whole process more rewarding for all involved.

GBC offers alternative pre-expatriation training options:

Pre-Secondment briefings
Face-to-face pre-secondment briefings will prepare people for their new job and their new life. These briefings, therefore, focus on both work-related cultural issues and day-to-day orientation matters. Each briefing is tailored to the needs of the individual employee.
We encourage family participation in these sessions, in order to help successful transition for all concerned.

Repatriation workshops
The process of repatriation can be as unnerving for many as the process of expatriation. Employees should be helped to re-enter the workplace 'back home' and encouraged to develop a positive outlook on the re-integration process.

On-line training
GBC has developed a unique on-line training tool, ExpatNavigator, which is designed to prepare expatriates for their forthcoming assignment. With sections covering all the key aspects of living and working as an expatriate, ExpatNavigator aims to help people adapt as quickly and effectively as possible to their new environment - there is even a section designed to include the spouse and children in the learning process.