RESEARCH FOCUS  -  INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

International Training

When identifying resources that will be required to participate in international work, care should be taken to ensure that appropriate skills are available. If necessary, additional training should be provided to ensure that they have the necessary skills.

When a number of nations are involved, different management skills may be needed in order to ensure that the work is undertaken effectively. A number of additional skills will often be required, which may be different to any professional training, or skills acquired, these can include:

	Additional languages
	Appreciate different approaches to project control
	Communicating and presenting
	Increased levels of tolerance
	Listening and understanding
	Understanding of different cultures

An understanding and appreciation of the importance of these new skills is necessary for the success of the work between nations. Without practice in these skills, managers will not be able to operate effectively in an international environment. This will have a detrimental effect on the success of any international project.

These skills will be required by all participants in the international work, at some level, in addition to their professional skills. Some of these can be gained by formal training and perfected during the course of the work. Other skills can only be gained through experience, although training can improve the process of learning and understanding. 

Resources involved in international work should also be prepared for the environment in which they will work. This may include specialist preparation, or training, in the environment in which they will work. The additional training and  preparations needed could include:

	Attending classes in the language and culture
	Briefings on the cultural aspects related to the work
	Provision of coaches, or mentors
	Visits to the site and its environment

Providing the necessary briefings and training, before the international assignment commences, will help resources understand their new environment. This will ensure that the resources are able to make an early contribution to the work, as well as minimising any cultural shocks they may encounter.

Related areas within this Research Focus topic,  include:

Language    Coordination    Culture    Communications    Assessment

Additional information is also available on this Research Focus topic, these areas include:

Meetings       Resources             

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