Tucker International
INTERCULTURAL TRAINING

Tucker International (TI) offers intercultural training programs that have been seasoned by over thirty years of experience, much of this with corporate expatriates and their families. TI has conducted intercultural training programs for thousands of people preparing for assignments in many parts of the world. Companies served range from Forturne 500 ranked firms to a variety of industrial and service companies, and represent many types of businesses.

Dr. Michael Tucker and his colleagues first introduced intercultural training for corporate employees and their families embarking on international assignments during the 1970's. At that time the world was much less globally competitive than it is today, and intercultural training was little known in the private sector. Today, fierce global competition requires the very best corporate talent to be assigned to strategic worldwide locations. The cost of these assignments has skyrocketed, and yet there are now very large numbers of corporate employees and their families living and working abroad. To meet these needs, intercultural training has become a critical part of the preparation of expatriates. Surveys by the Employee Relocation Council and the Society for Human Resource Management show that up to 70% of companies now provide intercultural training.

TRAINING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Customization

All of our programs are uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. The following items are essential components of our customization process.

  Needs Assessment

A needs assessment is completed prior to each program. Participants complete a short questionnaire that helps us to design a program which will meet the specific needs of each individual. Our programs are staffed only after the needs assessment is completed, so that our Master Trainers, Consultants and Regional Experts are well matched to the goals of the program.

  Assessment and Development of Participants
Tucker Assessment Profile TAP® and Development Guide Integration

Prior to the program, the Tucker Assessment Profile TAP® is completed by the program participants. Their assessment results are then given to them in the form of Feedback and Development Guides. These guides assess:

• Motivations for the overseas assignment
• Expectations about the assignment
• Attitudes and attributes that contribute to intercultural adjustment

In addition, feedback interviews are completed prior to the program to validate and interpret these results and to provide developmental feedback to participants prior to their program. Participants study the guides to better understand their strengths as well as areas in need of development.

Information from the Feedback and Development Guides and the Interviews are then integrated into the program design so that the content supports each individual's specific needs.

Program Content and Topics

  Information about the Country of Assignment

Current events in the country of assignment are reviewed and discussed in order to begin the process of thinking about the country and what is happening there. An overview of the current situation in the region is included to provide a broader context of the country and its neighbors. A brief look at history helps to understand events that have made the country what it is today. Also included in the workbook is a Culturegram on the country of assignment.

  Culture

An understanding of culture, and how culture influences the ways in which people do things, is the heart of our program. A framework for understanding culture is introduced, and a research-based definition of six critical factors of intercultural adjustment is provided. A guided discussion with consultants focuses on host country values vs. those of the expatriate’s home country, which develops a deep and personal understanding.

  The Life of the Expatriate Spouse

For a married couple, the successful adaptation of the expatriate spouse to life in the host country is often what makes or breaks the assignment. Structured discussions clarify the benefits of the assignment for the spouse as well as present the challenges and difficulties to be faced. Consultants provide insights and guidelines from their own experiences to help the spouse make a successful transition to the country of assignment.

  The Business and Working Culture

The cultural differences between business and the working environment in the expatriate’s home country and in the country of assignment are reviewed with the specific job of the participants as the focus. Topics include leadership and management, business protocol, decision making, negotiations, meetings, attitudes toward time and punctuality, and other issues important to the participants.

  Intercultural Communication

While language instruction is not always a part of this program, the importance of learning the language is stressed, and insights into language learning are presented. Aspects of the non-verbal communication system of the host country are introduced and demonstrated.

  Intercultural Stress, Culture Shock and Adaptation

The stress associated with intercultural adaptation is discussed, and the phenomenon of culture shock is described as a predictable cycle of emotional reaction. Ways in which spouses and the family can support each other in dealing with this process are discussed. Each participant takes a look at his or her lifestyle, and discusses how a healthy and productive life can be maintained during the assignment.

  Optional Language Instruction

Language forms an integral part of culture, and it is said that one cannot be truly knowledgeable about a culture without knowing the language or, on the other hand, speaking a language well, without an understanding of the culture. Tucker International’s Language programs are designed with this in mind. Language programs are integrated with the intercultural program to provide a more profound knowledge of the new culture. While participants will not be fluent at the end of a short-term language training program, they will have the skills necessary to continue their language studies abroad. We do not limit our instructional method, i.e. audio – oral. Programs are adapted to the particular learning style of the participant, and interactive learning is emphasized. At the end of a program, participants will have a general knowledge of the structure of the language, be able to correctly pronounce most sounds in the target language and have vocabulary to assist them in daily life situations (social gatherings, shopping, meeting needs, emergencies, etc.).

Above all, participants will gain familiarity with the language that will assist them with their transitions abroad. We have developed our own material for some languages, and use and adapt commercially available material for others. We believe that there is no substitute for excellent language instructors who can relate directly to the participants, help motivate them, and bring them along at their own pace. We therefore employ the very best instructors. We have specialized language programs for Asians assigned to the United States who may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds in English. Our specially trained instructors work with them to correct these problems and be understood more readily by native English speakers.

  Youth Programs

Providing cross-cultural training programs for expatriate children is highly important and necessary. By reducing fear and stress and creating a more realistic and optimistic view about the international move, children are happier, more supportive, adjust easier and have a willingness to culturally engage themselves in the country of assignment. Children are sometimes excluded and ignored in families during the relocation process. Although big decisions and changes are not for children to make, it is necessary to council and educate children on how to appropriately handle life changes that greatly affect their lives. This is what the Tucker International Youth Program seeks to accomplish. Youth Programs cover fundamental issues concerning culture, culture shock, moving and transition. Children, generally ages seven and above, are very sensitive to changes associated with relocation. Through discussions and exercises, the program addresses their fears, hesitations, excitements and worries. They also learn a great deal about their new country in an interactive and enjoyable way.

Master Trainer: An internationally experienced trainer who has been instructed to deliver and facilitate the Tucker International approach. The Master Trainer is responsible for the overall quality and success of the program.

Country of Assignment Consultants: Consultants who are from the target country who interact directly with participants to explain the culture of their country.

Country and Regional Expert: In some cases also the Master Trainer, this person discusses current events and explains important elements of history that have helped to shape the national character of the country.

Former Expatriate Spouse: A spouse who has successfully completed an assignment in the target country.

Intercultural Business Consultant: A consultant who has been engaged in business in the country of assignment who will discuss the ways in which business is conducted.

Youth Trainer: A certified teacher who has international experience.

A good way to assess intercultural training is from a total quality, or "best practices" perspective. These components are listed below, along with the Tucker International approach to them.

  Tailored

Design of training in accordance with the needs and circumstances of the participants. TI programs are not open to the public and are not general in nature ("off the shelf"). Instead, they are tailored for the participants by means of written and telephone needs assessment. Although group programs are highly desirable when schedules permit, most programs are private, delivered for one expatriating employee, spouse and family.

  Participative

TI Training is based on participative, adult learning principles. There is little formal lecturing. Instead, information is presented in an informal, interactive way that meets the needs and learning styles of the participants.

  People Intensive

Learning by interacting with people. TI training activities are delivered by means of a Master Trainer and Consultants from the country of assignment interacting directly with the participants.

  Instrumented

Training modules designed to facilitate learning through structured exercises. Although TI training is participative and relaxed, each module is guided by models, questionnaires, topic lists and exercises.

  Research Based

Training directed at outcomes proven to lead to intercultural adjustment and expatriate success. TI training is founded on six critical factors that differentiate successful expatriates from those who do not succeed.

  Evaluated

Short and long term assessment of training value. TI programs are evaluated at the end of training and again during the expatriate assignment. Data is used for continual improvement of the training process.

In addition to these best practices, TI training features the Tucker Assessment Profile (TAP) Assessment and Development Module. The TAP and the OAI are the only instruments available that predict intercultural adjustment and success. Incorporating it into training provides participants with their individual profiles that assess motivations, expectations, attitudes and attributes as compared to a database. The training process then helps them to apply their strengths to the international assignment and to begin to work on areas in need of development.

Tucker International Training Programs provide many benefits, both for expatriates and the company. Participants report that our programs:

• Teaches them a great deal of essential information in a very short time
• Reduces anxiety about relocating and adjusting to a new job and home
• Provides insights into their own capabilities and areas in need of development that are necessary for expatriate success
• Provides a framework for continued learning during the expatriate assignment
• Facilitates a more trouble-free and shorter period of adjustment to the country of assignment

For client companies, the benefits include:

• A higher assurance that their investment in expatriate assignments will not be lost through early return or poor performance
• Confidence that key executives, spouses and families are receiving the high quality service that they expect and deserve
• A shorter time for expatriates to become fully capable in the assignment, as well as enhanced performance during the assignment
• A higher level of acceptance of expatriates among offshore affiliates
• An excellent cost-benefit ratio, when the program fee is compared to the total cost of an expatriate assignment
• Corporate representatives who are more competitive in key global locations

TAP is a Registered Trademark of Tucker International.