The benefits of cross cultural training

Culture clashes can often be seen as inevitable when you have a global business, but for a long time, the concept of cross-cultural training was brushed under the rug. That is until the COVID-19 pandemic struck and made it clear that many companies were lacking in the area.

As a result, cultural training has become more apparent and there is a greater drive for businesses to push for it. But what does this mean for you? Why is it so important, and what do some of the latest cross-cultural training trends include? All of this and more is right here.

What is Cross-Cultural Training? 

The point of cross-cultural training is to help expats better understand the culture and community that they are about to become part of so that they can integrate smoothly and get along with the local people. This includes:

• Cultural awareness
• Cultural competence
• Cultural safety
• Cultural humility
• Cultural intelligence

It gives them the opportunity to learn about traditions and beliefs, practical hints for daily living, social norms, and the cultural values of the society. It also helps them to understand their own cultural background and place in the world, helping them to see new cultures in another light.

Why Is Cross-Cultural Training Important? 

There are quite a few cross-cultural training benefits to consider, and its importance is highlighted in the fact that it helps people from different cultural backgrounds get along better and understand each other.

If all workplaces that have international offices took part in cross-cultural training it would have a massively positive impact on employee wellbeing as well as reduce the amount of stress experienced. 61% of failed placements are because of difficulty understanding the culture.

By ensuring every member of the workplace takes part in the training programmes, this number can be lowered significantly and expats can find happiness in their new country and workplace – which is fantastic for them but also for your company.

What Does Cross-Cultural Training Include? 

The world of cross-cultural training is constantly growing, and even over the past decade, we have seen a massive shift in what it includes. While it always contains the basics of communication, cultural sensitivity, and ethics, there are also trends that continue to evolve.

One important aspect is training everyone in the workforce, not just the expats that are moving out there. It keeps every member of staff in the loop, and also means that if they need to step in they are prepared but also helps them to better integrate internationals that are joining the team.

The integration of technology has also become a very popular topic, especially as we rely on it so heavily in the modern world. This also includes chatbots and training machines. It also looks at adopting a more honest and transparent approach in business, especially in virtual meetings.

There is also an emphasis on the use of language in the workplace. Replacing terms like “abnormal” and “weird” to describe cultural differences and instead promoting positive language and demonstrating how differences are interesting as opposed to unusual.

To Conclude

Culture is so important, and being able to respect and understand the different cultures that you are working with is a crucial aspect of running a successful business. With cross-cultural training as being part of the overall employee benefits strategy, you can overcome the barriers that previously prevented you and your team members from communicating to the best of their ability. Business is about to get smoother.