International Assignment Programme

The International Assignment Programme (IAP) is a multiphase briefing programme aimed at providing expatriate families and business executives with core skills and information to enable them to adjust quickly and effectively to life in an overseas setting. The programme has been designed in a modular format and over three phases to help the adjustment of individuals over the crucial early stages of the assignment.

Benefits

The focus of the International Assignment Programme virtual coaching sessions are based on providing the participants with a thorough grounding in general cultural awareness and a focus on the cultural characteristics of the culture(s) they will be living in and interacting with. Specifically, assignees will:

• Recognise the key factors contributing to cross-cultural competence and self awareness.
• Apply a model of culture to analyse the impact of cultural differences in relation to self and others (national profiles) on core business activities
• Identify appropriate strategies for managing cross-cultural assignment and adjustment phases
• Understand the key success factors for managing and surviving in a foreign setting

Audience

The International Assignment Programme is flexibly designed to accommodate the needs of expatriates from a broad cross-section of functions and business units and with varying degrees of international experience and exposure.

Some key topics

• Core Awareness Factors (Facts>Attitudes>Behaviours)
• Key Cultural Characteristics of the Destination Culture
• Worldprism Profile Comparisons – personal and target culture
• RISK analysis (Recognition>Impact>Strategies>Know-how)
• Managing the Perceptions – how do I see them and they me?
• Challenging the Stereotypes – ours and theirs
• Communication Effectiveness
• Adapting, not Adopting!
• Strategies for managing family support and return to home culture

Methods

Given the globally diverse spread of assignees and destination cultures for most international organisations, the IAP programme has been designed around a virtual coaching environment (synchronous web session). Using TMA World’s virtual classroom environment, this will enable sessions to be delivered by the relevant cultural expert quickly and at relatively short notice and without the need for protracted scheduling and associated trainer logistical costs and expenses.

The design and interaction offered by the virtual coaching environment allows for specific content and areas of concern to be incorporated on a case by case basis. Those travelling with families, partners and dependants will have a wider set of concerns and issues than those travelling independently.

In the first phase, individuals are interviewed to assess the exact nature of their needs and concerns. From this a coaching session in phase two is developed based on needs and concerns. Phase three will be conducted following relocation and approximately three months into the assignment with the objective of identifying any acculturation concerns or needs. If required, further support can be provided during the period of the assignment in the form of telephone and email support.

For further information about the International Assignment Programme please email us at enquiries@tmaworld.com.