Why is cultural transition management a good investment?
It is often assumed that the transition for employees, whether from English or non-English speaking cultures, into Australia will be relatively easy. Australia is a relatively welcoming environment, however experience has demonstrated that employees arrive with a wide variety of expectations and perceptions of the Australian work and cultural environment which are not always accurate. Often, it is the subtle differences that result in significant challenges over time for those particularly from other English speaking cultures.
Experience shows (and academic studies confirm) that when employees from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds transfer to Australia, a successful outcome is not determined by simply managing factors related to transition from one work environment to another. Additional measures need to be taken to assure the employee makes the personal transition between two cultures, gains an understanding of relevant traits of the Australian culture and adjusts to them. When this dimension is actively managed, the employer minimizes the risk of an ineffective or failed engagement and maximises the productivity of their expatriate employees (particularly in the first six months).
A Cultural Transition Management Program will surface and test assumptions made by employees about the environment they are entering, laying the foundation for early and effective integration into the new workplace by assisting them to develop strategies for a rapid acclimatization. Our programs focus on rapid transition as well as longer term retention through strategies emphasising adaptation of employees, their partners and families
Cultural Transitions programs provide individuals with a framework for understanding the local culture in relation to their own predominant culture, strategies and simple tools to facilitate rapid adaptation and integration ensuring that they are clear about their own expectations and can effectively manage challenges they may encounter in their new workplace and the environment in which they will live.
Cultural transitions focuses encourageing newcomers to become independent by coaching them to develop effective and supportive social networks and mentor relationships both in the workplace and social environment for longer term independence, integration and adjustment.
Effective cultural transition management enhances;
- Performance of international recruits particularly in the first three months,
- Long term retention of skilled employees
- Adjustment of partners and families and thus
- Return on recruitment investment.
