What about Me?

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Jeff Toms, Director of Marketing, highlights the importance of looking beyond those with an obvious need when preparing employees for international business development

Whilst most companies and organisations originally used briefings for those individuals who regularly visited the particular region or country, many have come to realise the enormous benefits of briefing home-based staff who are in regular contact with overseas colleagues and deal with overseas visitors to their own offices.

Senior management teams also need to be involved where directors and managers need to have an in-depth understanding of how business is conducted to assist in strategic business planning as well as the challenge of managing at a distance.

Often managers do not spend enough time in any one country to develop a good understanding of the attitudes and protocol of the other culture. Business briefing programmes provide global managers with an understanding of how culture affects business as well as how to effectively communicate and build beneficial relationships.

However, a brief pause in the planning process usually uncovers many more individuals who will benefit from this comprehensive programme and groups of 15-20 regularly attend.

So, don't wait for the cry 'what about me?' when considering training for international staff, everybody involved in international business needs to be better prepared to create more effective communication.