Working and dealing with the Baltic States
Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences
1. Intercultural awareness, the key to success in international business
- Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
- The basics of effective intercultural management
- Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes
2. Key aspects of Baltic culture
- Three countries, three languages and three cultures
- Russian domination and the scars left by the USSR
- A strange and piercing climate
- Ancient civilisations with well-rooted traditions
- The combination of an economic miracle and social precariousness
- The challenges of European integration
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- Strong maternal and family ties
- Detail and precision
- Self-control and mistrust of others
- A closer relationship with nature
- Pride in one's identity
- Individuality as part of a group
4. The corporate world in the Baltic States
- The persistence of Soviet mindsets
- The influence of the American model
- A discreet, caring State
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Balts
1. Effective communication with the Balts
- The sound of silence
- Stating, listening and asking
- Networking and immediate communication
- The "Russian question": pitfalls to be avoided
2. Adapting your working methods
- Dealing with touchy and sensitive people. The Balts’ sense of honour
- Supervising, managing and verifying
- Centralised decision-making, though open to discussion
- Building loyalty: the role played by the working environment
- Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Balts
- Effective preparation. Demonstrating your professionalism
- Follow-up, perseverance and faith
- Time, priority and deadline management
- Written contracts, their interpretation and implications
- Organising the post-negotiation phase
4. Final handy tips
- Caution, patience and humility
- Protocol and etiquette
- Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
- Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
- Humour: a double-edged sword
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