WORKING WITH INDIANS

FRAMEWORK

What if the biggest barrier to collaboration were the way we interpret (or misinterpret) the working culture in India? Why do I feel that I’m missing something? What approach should I take to build mutual trust and foster collaboration?

In India, building a relationship of trust is a fundamental step before proceeding with decisions or negotiations. Communication tends to be more indirect and context-dependent, and respect for hierarchy, harmony, and interpersonal relationships strongly influences how information is conveyed, feedback is given, or deadlines are managed. For those working with Indian teams or partners, being able to read between the lines is often as important as understanding what is said explicitly.

Through a practical approach, this training provides the keys to understanding the specificities of Indian culture, avoiding misunderstandings, building mutual trust and improving collaboration.

PREREQUISITES

Prior to the training, participants will be invited to complete the Nomad’ profiler.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Professionals who regularly work with partners, clients or teams in India.
• Managers and employees involved in exports, projects or negotiations with Indian counterparts.
• Expatriate professionals or those relocating to India for work.
• International teams seeking to improve the effectiveness of their interactions within the Indian cultural context.

OBJECTIVES

• Adopt an intercultural approach.
• Understand the Indian context and culture.
• Decipher cultural codes and analyse situations of poor communication/misunderstanding.
• Adapt your communication and working methods.
• Decoding decision-making and negotiation processes.

PROGRAMME

Session 1: Interpersonal Communication & Intercultural filters (02h00)

Introduction

• Presentations, objectives, agenda
• Identifying opportunities and challenges

Interpersonal Communication & perceptions

• The 4 cultural layers
• Differences in Perception
• Flexibility vs Rigidity

Introduction to the Nomad’ Profiler

• Understanding Intercultural Dimensions (Relationships with Society, Work and Others). 
• Reflection on operational impact

Between session 2: E-learning India (individual work in English)

• Cultural and social context of India
• Values and behaviours at work
• Videos, exercises and final quiz
• Indian cultural profile

Session 2: Overview of Indian culture

• The world's largest democracy, heir to a millennia-old civilisation
• The weight of 7 religions in daily life
• A linguistic mosaic
• The castes and their role in the professional structure
• Hierarchy in the workplace
• The value of the individual versus the collective
• The importance of socialisation

Between session 2: Nomad’ Profile (00h30 - English)

• Completion of the questionnaire and Nomad’ intercultural profile online
• Individual Nomad’ Profiler delivery by email

Session 3: Optimising your communication

Working with India

• Relationship with society (Hierarchical distance, Rule application, Reference)
• Relationship with work (Reasoning, Time management, Relationship to risk)
• Relationship with others (Professional relationships, Communication, Conflict management, Expression of emotions)

Brainstorming & Action plan

• Characteristics of a high-performing team
• Brainstorming in sub-groups
• Debriefing, feedback and action plan

Conclusion & Closure

• Keep doing, stop doing, start doing
• Check-out

Post-session Country Packs

• Access for 1 year to the Akteos Academy Country Packs (80 countries)
• Expand your knowledge about the country (Cultural guidelines, business life, overview)