At some point in your professional life, you will inevitably be confronted with cultural differences that may challenge your behaviour. A faux pas is easily made and can be a serious roadblock to the success of your endeavours. If you understand the culture in which you are conducting business, it will help you to be more successful. Knowing how to handle cultural sensibilities is an essential part of being an effective communicator.
In her workshop at our Division’s Spring Conference in Lille, intercultural relations expert Elizabeth Vennekens-Kelly will outline the major challenges of business and interpersonal communication in a multicultural environment. She will provide recommendations to make your communication more effective and culture savvy.
Elizabeth Vennekens-Kelly is an intercultural trainer, consultant, and the author of Subtle Differences, Big Faux Pas. In this cultural guide she helps and encourages individuals to realize the extent of cultural differences and the value in gaining an understanding of the cultures in which they interact.
Elizabeth’s goal is to help individuals develop the cultural competencies they need to be successful and to encourage people to make the most of the unique opportunity of living outside their passport country. She combines her business experience, familiarity of expat living and intercultural knowledge to help individuals to deal with the complexities of living and working abroad. She trains individuals working in multicultural settings, people who are relocating overseas and those returning home, to effectively interact and communicate in the varied situations they encounter.
At the Lille Division Conference, Elizabeth will share a plethora of striking examples in verbal as well as non-verbal communication, from the simplest gestures in everyday life to the noble art of toasting — indeed, even if you are an experienced Toastmaster, you should think of the cultural context in which you are required to propose a toast! Elizabeth will show you how to leverage your cultural competence and be successful in today’s multicultural environment.