Today, the internet and modern technology have opened up new marketplaces that allow us to work with new geographic locations and cultures.

In this increasingly competitive global market place, having cultural intelligence (CQ) to manage diversity and to intellectually communicate effectively across cultures is now a key competency for all employees.

This is because every culture has a different set of values, business ethics, accepted behavior and decorum. The understanding of cultural differences, cultural emphasis and cultural roles and practices, the knowledge and strategy to communicate effectively with people of different cultures and the management of such diversity, have become vital to sustain a successful global environment. 

In this workshop, you will learn the work values, attitudes and assumptions that derive from people of various cultures, and know how to apply and manage cross cultural intelligence at work to encourage diversity awareness and reinforce inclusion.

You will have an increased awareness of “World-mindedness”, and a greater understanding on how to manage diversity in cross-cultural situations, as well as be able to manage expectations and communicate in a way that promotes engagement and productivity at the global marketplace. This will lead to better job performance and an increased self confidence in communicating effectively across cultures – a skill which is now vital.

By the end of this enriching workshop, participants will be able to:

• Increase awareness of your own culture as well as other cultures;
• Develop an understanding of how our own culture and the culture of others affect our cultural assumptions, the way we behave, communicate and react in a variety of daily situations within the business environment;
• Understand challenges when you communicate with people of different cultures; and

Be able to manage diversity, adapt to and be more productive during interaction with foreign team members, global counterparts and partners

Multi national companies' managers and staff, anyone involved in international sales or support, frequent business travellers, all involved in any form of the tourism industry including medical and hospitality.

What you will learn in this workshop:

The Importance of Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

• Culture is not always conscious - Understand what culture is and how it affects us
• From IQ to EQ to CQ (Cultural Intelligence)
• Characteristics and components of cross cultural intelligence
• Assess your Cultural Intelligence – Where are you now?

Moving Beyond Bias and Stereotypes

• 5 Blocks to Intercultural Communication
• 4 Stages of adaptation
• Key skills to build culturally competency

Understand The Cultural Dimensions to Weigh Cultural Differences

• Hierarchy vs Egalitarianism
• Indirect vs Direct
• Collectivism vs Individualism
• Relationship vs Task
• Caution vs Risk
• Polychronic vs Monochronic
• High context vs Low Context

Communication Styles across Cultures

• Understanding our own communication style
• Understanding the true meanings of “Yes”, “No”, ”Probably”, “I think so”, “I have a small suggestion” or of saying Nothing
• Bridging the gap in communication styles
• Strategies for effective communication across cultures

Putting it into Practice

• Apply knowledge to practice & consider multiple perspectives in various work scenarios
• Final self check in managing diversity – knowledge, skills and attitude for cross cultural competence

This workshop consists of a short concept sharing followed by video illustrations, group discussions and group activities to apply what is learnt to workplace scenarios across cultures.

Testimonials from past participants

“Celina is a high energy training dynamo with vast international experience and a street smart attitude that gets results. She applies DC Psychology as second nature to assure superior and visible results in her classes.”

Arthur Carmazzi, Founder of the Directive Communication Psychology, US

“Celina is very passionate about training and her lively personality brings added vigour into the workshops she carries out to make those sessions fun and enjoyable. With her wealth of corporate, legal and international experiences from Spain, Malaysia, UK, China and Singapore, she is able to share relevant real life examples with workshop participants. She is the type of person who would encourage each individual to bring up their own perspective to the discussion while sharing a pragmatic workable input at the same time and have a healthy debate from the rest of the participants to make learning a wholesome and interactive one.”

Yeoh Poh See, Sales Operations Consultant, Dell, Malaysia

“I have been to many training sessions and this was the most professional presentation I have ever attended. I was very impressed with how the general communication knowledge was translated into usability in the Work Environment. Outstanding combination of technical knowledge and application to day to day life in office and home. The reference materials are very comprehensive and an excellent means of conveying the information. You have a superior approach that is handled in a professional manner. Your program was well organized. The demonstrations are very effective. Great motivation, enthusiasm and confidence from everyone in the training room. Relevant and well presented. After taking this training I plan to share this knowledge with all my colleagues in the Division by giving a presentation on what I have learnt.”

Ismael Vijay Kumar S, Contracts Assistant, Qatargas Operating Company Limited, Qatar

“I have totally enjoyed Celina’s training sessions which get the message across in unique ways. As a pragmatic professional, I find Celina’s training program absolutely well structured, easy to grasp, practical yet impactful with personal stories and inspiring video choices. I also brought home concrete ways in which I can instantly apply effective communication and branding skills in developing my career, and in the new way I now communicate and interact with others. Your session was very empowering, you are definitely a people transformer and many of your words sparked new thoughts and ideas in my mind for future projects, some of which I later discussed with you. Thank you Celina.”

Anna Rashevskaya, Legal consultant, Architectural bureau Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia 

“Celina is passionate and definitely serious about engaging people and it shows through the energy and enthusiasm she brings to her session. Her warm personality exudes a relaxed, conducive environment for enabling effective knowledge transfer and exchanges in a thought provoking, challenging, and creative manner. She is a very interesting, and interested person. Highest recommendation!”

Jimmy Ong, Jimmy Ong Motivation & Coaching, Singapore

“Celina is a Coach cum Trainer who has a professional mindset and approach to work, and pleasantly laced with an affable personality. This blend makes her predisposed to be engaging in her approach, insightful in her co- creatingsolutions with a client, and well and truly capable of enabling knowledge transference in a seamless fashion. She would be a true value add in any professional initiative that provides opportunities for people engagement and professional development.”

AJ Ratna, Principal Consultant and Founder of Rainmaker Guruu Zenn, Malaysia