EXPATRIATE TRAINING
There are many techniques in preparing the right type of expatriate training program for your employee based on your organization. These are some techniques we have come up, with based on our research, that will assist in preparing your expatriate to be successful while on assignment in Brazil.
Major cultural differences
Brazilian culture
Brazilian Business Behavior
Sources:
Ladimeji, K. (2012). How to Pick the Right People for International Assignments. https://www.recruiter.com/i/how-to-pick-the-right-people-for-international-assignments/ Recruiter. [accessed March 10, 2015].
There are many techniques in preparing the right type of expatriate training program for your employee based on your organization. These are some techniques we have come up, with based on our research, that will assist in preparing your expatriate to be successful while on assignment in Brazil.
- Excelling in training programs, workshops and briefings will promote expatriate success.
- Beginning language training early on, well before departure will give the expatriate plenty of time to learn the Brazilian native language of Portuguese; this is a very difficult language to learn. Language training should be at the company's expense. There are also other options such as Rosetta Stone which is a cost-effective way of preparing the expatriate for departure. Upon completion of the language training, the expatriate should be able to speak Portuguese fluently at a moderate level, further mastering the language as their stay in Brazil lengthens.
- All training and workshops are mandatory. Employees should be required to engage in the workshops and classes provided so they can be fully prepared for the assignment.
- Topics discussed in the workshop training classes include:
Major cultural differences
Brazilian culture
Brazilian Business Behavior
- The workshop involving culture shock will be a survival guide on surpassing these culture shocks and preparing them for it. City life in Brazil is very fast-paced and can at times be dangerous.
- The workshop involving cultural differences will focus on the major cultural differences between the US and Brazil on both a business level and personal level.
- The workshop involving Brazilian culture will prepare the expatriate for how to cope with Brazil's cultural differences such as transportation, currency and exchange rates, grocery shopping, cell phone options, and emergency phone numbers.
- The Business Behavior course will prepare expatriates with business meeting strategies, ways to properly greet fellow employees or new people, proper dress attire, ways of communication, as well as how frequently the company expects the expatriate to report back to headquarters.
- Structured briefings should be conducted more frequently around two weeks prior to departure. These briefings will serve as reminders and helpful hints, covering information such as appearance, communication, team building techniques, and a general overview of information that was covered during the workshops. These briefings will give the expatriate time to prepare and think about any last minute questions or concerns about the assignment.
Sources:
Ladimeji, K. (2012). How to Pick the Right People for International Assignments. https://www.recruiter.com/i/how-to-pick-the-right-people-for-international-assignments/ Recruiter. [accessed March 10, 2015].