CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING IN THE PHILIPPINES
A Corporate EnterTRAINment on Cultural Diversity and Cross-Cultural Communication – a 2-day Cross-Cultural Communication Training in the Philippines
ENTERTRAINMENT OVERVIEW:
Filipinos are by nature very friendly, accommodating, hardworking, passionate, and down-to-earth. However, despite these positive traits and values, it is inevitable that it is either they are misunderstood or they tend to misunderstand others from different countries with different cultures, traditions, beliefs, and personalities.
Just the same, foreigners who are assigned to work and live in the Philippines as expatriates are placed in the same predicament where they are misunderstood or they experience difficulties coping with their surroundings and the natives that they work with due to varying backgrounds and profiles.
It is because of this that a cross-cultural communication or cultural diversity training intervention is imperative in order to help both sides (expats to Filipinos and Filipinos to fellow Filipinos and expats) work effectively with one another both on work and personal levels.
Who will benefit from this program?
- Expatriates from any country who have to work and live in the Philippines for a short or long time.
- Filipinos who are working with expatriates.
- Filipinos who are working with fellow Filipinos but who have different religions, customs, traditions, cultures, and personalities.
- Training, coaching, and mentorship providers who have to provide a similar intervention in their respective organizations
ENTERTRAINMENT GOAL:
The primary goal of this 2-day Cross-Cultural Communication Training in the Philippines is to enhance the participants’ ability to communicate effectively, work harmoniously, and build meaningful relationships in a multicultural environment, particularly in the context of expatriates working in the Philippines and Filipinos collaborating with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This program aims to bridge cultural gaps, promote understanding, and improve professional interactions.
ENTERTRAINMENT OBJECTIVES:
To achieve this goal, this 2-day Cross-Cultural Communication Training in the Philippines focuses on the following objectives:
- Cultural Awareness and Understanding:
- Develop a deep understanding of the Filipino culture, including values, communication styles, and social norms.
- Recognize common stereotypes and misconceptions associated with Filipinos and the Philippines.
- Gain insights into the history, milestones, and profile of the Philippines as a host country for expatriates.
- Effective Communication with Filipinos:
- Explore verbal and non-verbal communication patterns in the Filipino context.
- Understand the expectations of and from Filipino colleagues in various professional settings.
- Recognize individual and group identities within the Filipino culture, enabling effective communication strategies.
- Work Ethics and Etiquette in the Philippine Setting:
- Learn about Filipino morality, including what is considered right and wrong in the workplace.
- Acquire knowledge of social graces and business practices specific to the Philippines.
- Understand corporate norms, standards, and expectations when working with Filipino colleagues.
- Coping with Culture and Country Shock:
- Develop strategies to cope with culture and country shock when living and working in a foreign environment.
- Identify time-tested methods to manage psychological trauma associated with culture shock.
- Learn how to adjust and adapt to a new culture and geography effectively.
ENTERTRAINMENT OUTLINE:
Day One
MODULE I: THE FILIPINO 101
It is important that expats understand who a Filipino is, how he thinks, the common generalizations that define him, how he communicates with others especially foreigners, and his usual way of doing things. Thus, the contents of this module are:
- Psychology of a Filipino
- Filipino Stereotypes
- Filipino Values
- Filipino Communication Styles
- Filipino Way of Doing Things
MODULE II: THE PHILIPPINES 101
It’s not only the people that live in a country that expats need to know, understand, and appreciate. They also need to know a great deal of information about the country that hosts their employment and living as it is part of coping with the surroundings. Therefore, the contents of this module are:
- People (Profile)
- Past (History)
- Performance (Milestones)
MODULE III: WORKING AND COMMUNICATING WITH A FILIPINO
The most practical and essential aspect of this training is that expats and even Filipinos work and communicate effectively with their Filipino counterparts in the workplace and even outside the working environment where they have to socialize. This module will help them understand the intricacies of a Filipino’s communication tendencies and uniqueness and individualities both as a person and within a group.
- Verbal Communication
- Non-verbal Communication
- Expectations of and from a Filipino
- Individual and Group Identity
MODULE IV: THE FILIPINO WORK ETHICS AND ETIQUETTE
Different people from different countries display contrasting work ethics and practice different corporate norms and standards as well. This module will help the participants understand what those are in the Philippine setting and with Filipino workers.
- Right and Wrong for a Filipino (Filipino Morality)
- Social Graces in the Philippine Setting
- Filipino Business Practices
MODULE V: OVERCOMING COUNTRY AND CULTURE SHOCK
What if an expat has already experienced country or culture shock? What shall he do to survive this very difficult phase? What are the time-tested and proven pieces of advice and methods that he can employ to manage this psychological trauma? The answers to these questions and more will be covered in this last module of the first day.
Day Two
MODULE VI: HOW TO ADJUST TO PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIES AND CULTURES
After successfully surviving the culture/country shock, what are the first and next steps that an expat has to make in order to blend well with Filipinos and adjust to the repercussions of working and living in a different country?
MODULE VII: HOW TO WORK EFFECTIVELY AND BE PRODUCTIVE IN THE FILIPINO WORKPLACE
This module will present best practices in working effectively and productively with Filipino counterparts and making sure that while an expat is doing his job, exceeding expectations, and impressing the management, he’s not stepping on any Filipino’s pride and is able to maintain a harmonious work and personal relationship still.
MODULE VIII: HOW TO AVOID OR REDUCE CROSS-CULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Misunderstandings are but normal. However, it is better that an expat, though has already lived for a while or has already overcome any shock, knows how to avoid future or sudden misunderstandings with a Filipino or a fellow expat from a different country. This module will discuss tips on how to pre-empt any negative consequence of lack of knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of cross-cultural communication.
MODULE IX: ENJOYING IN THE FILIPINO WORKPLACE AND IN THE PHILIPPINES
This last module will motivate and even inspire the expat to enjoy working and living in the Philippines that might even convince him/her to stay here for good, get married with a local, or decide to come back here again even if he/she is only assigned for a temporary project.
ENTERTRAINMENT METHODOLOGIES:
MSS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS is famous for its ‘EnterTRAINing’ brand and the participants’ experience in this two-day program will be no different. We hate dragging lectures and we also want to differentiate ourselves by keeping the usual stuff at a minimum. Thus, this program will feature:
- Interactive discussions
- Case studies/Roleplays
- Topic-related teambuilding activities or structured learning activities (SLAs)
- Games
- Fun energizers
- Per-module icebreakers
- Pen and paper work (easel sheet, Manila paper, handout, etc.)
- Video/s
- More
Check out our other Communication-related training programs below:
Communication Skills Training in the Philippines
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