Diversity and Cross-Cultural Training

In today’s world, we probably come into contact with people from different cultural backgrounds almost every day. We perceive similarities: we are all human beings. We also perceive differences. But what do we make of those differences? We can, if we choose, see them as a problem, even as alienating; we can pretend they don’t exist; we can treat everyone as if they would really like to be just like us, if only we gave them the chance. Or we can see these differences as fascinating, enriching, real but not off-putting, a key component of who people are and would wish themselves to be; and then, in the process, we also begin to understand a little more about ourselves.

Going to live and work in another country can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be problematic, and “culture shock” may affect not only the breadwinner but also members of the family who need to make the move.

Euroasia provides guidance both for people moving to New Zealand, and for those going from New Zealand overseas. The issues confronted by both sets of people are actually very similar, even though the specific context is obviously very different. We also assist migrant professionals with understanding how to thrive in the New Zealand workplace. 

Euroasia offers you a shortcut to specific information and skills which could otherwise take years to acquire.

Cross-cultural training programme

Our training programmes with regard to one particular country or culture will generally include the following:

Generic areas

• definitions of culture
• the range of cultural diversity
• the fundamentals of cross-cultural interaction
• the multicultural workforce
• appreciating New Zealand cultural expectations
• understanding other cultural expectations
• benefiting from differences
• motivating and leading a culturally-diverse team
• raising issues and dealing with conflict
• learning on the job
• appropriate personal behaviour

Culture-specific areas

• people and language
• recent history
• political situation
• current issues
• economy
• key cultural points
• practicalities of daily life
• introductions
• how to gain respect
• values and misconceptions
• forms of address and levels of formality
• social protocol
• business meetings and entertaining
• ways of doing business and styles of negotiation
• decision-making
• avoiding awkward situations
• local sensitivities
• personal security and conduct in public places