Intercultural (Cross-cultural) Competency
A Crucial Global Business Skill presented by

Marina Ibrahim
Intercultural Consultant, Coach & Trainer

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Let me tell you a story … by Marina Ibrahim

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What do you see?
“We don’t see things as they are… We see things as WE are.”
(Anais Nin)

(c) by Marina Ibrahim

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Your Speaker
Marina Ibrahim
Egyptian

German

Brought up between both cultures and families.
Moved to the UK in 2002 for career reasons I run my own business.
I am an Intercultural Consultant, Coach & Trainer.
I also have a passion for Egyptian mezze.

by Marina Ibrahim

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Assumptions
There is no 2nd chance for a 1st Impression!
"Never ASSUME, because when you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME."
Assumptions and stereotyping influence our attitude, how we think, feel, behave and communicate…

by Marina Ibrahim

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By the end my presentation…
…You will understand more about

Your own and other cultures
Intercultural / cross-cultural awareness
Intercultural toolkit
Why cross-cultural competency is a crucial global business skill

by Marina Ibrahim

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What is Cross-cultural Competency?
1. What you need to know about culture
Why does culture matter?
What is culture - what is cross-culture?
Cultural models and levels
2.
Culture Shock/Culture Clash
3.
How do cultures differ?
Models about comparing cultures
4.
Cross-cultural Competency
Tool kit
5.
Questions & Answers

by Marina Ibrahim

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The Forces of Globalisation
Technology, Internet,
Social Media, Global
Markets, Import,
Export, Staff
Migration,
Borderless World,
“Global Village”,
International
research projects etc. by Marina Ibrahim

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The Forces of Globalisation
• Bring people and organisations closer • More important than ever for professionals, businesses, leaders and managers to be able:
• To build trust, strong relationships and to overcome barriers, avoid misunderstandings • For better trade and successful deals, strong economies and economic wealth

by Marina Ibrahim

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What is SO, WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture?

Exercise:
1. Talk to your neighbour about what
CULTURE means to you

by Marina Ibrahim

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What is Culture?
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Culture is the way we are and the way we do things.

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We are all culturally different.

by Marina Ibrahim

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Iceberg Model of Culture
Visible Culture

Invisible Culture

(c) James Penstone

by Marina Ibrahim

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Levels of Culture

Source: Schneider & Barsoux, 2003

by Marina Ibrahim
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WHAT IS CROSS-CULTURE?

• Think about a time you moved from one location to another.
• Describe your most confusing or difficult moment. by Marina Ibrahim
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Cross-culture is
• Moving to a different cultural environment
• Working with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds • Experiencing differences to your own culture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALWwK7Vz4gY by Marina Ibrahim

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What happens when cultures cross?
You will experience

Culture Shock
Culture Clash

by Marina Ibrahim

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Cultural Shock Cultural Adaptation Process
1. Honey Moon - 2. Frustration - 3. Adjustment - 4. Mastery

YOU CHOOSE!

by Marina Ibrahim

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Cultural Shock Cultural Adaptation Process
1. Honey Moon - 2. Frustration - 3. Adjustment - 4. Mastery

Culture shock is a rollercoaster of emotions we go through, when we have to adjust to a culture or environment that is different from our own culture. by Marina Ibrahim

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Cultural Adaptation = Phases of Learning
1. Honey Moon - 2. Frustration - 3. Adjustment - 4. Mastery

(c) Dr Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning

by Marina Ibrahim

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The Challenges of Relocation
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Personal Adaptation
Settling in to your new environment Finding information and support networks
Dealing with culture shock Finding a new social life

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Professional Integration