WORKING WITH THE FRENCH

INTRODUCTION

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

France is a country where critical thinking and argumentation play a central role in professional interactions. The way feedback is given, decisions are made, or hierarchy is interacted with may surprise those unfamiliar with French codes.

With a practical approach, this training reveals the keys to understanding the particularities of French culture, avoiding misunderstandings, inspiring 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 France.
• Managers and employees involved in exports, projects or negotiations with French counterparts.
• Expatriate professionals or those relocating to France for work.
• International teams seeking to improve the effectiveness of their interactions within the French cultural context.

OBJECTIVES

• Adopt an intercultural approach.
• Understand the context and French 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 1: E-learning France (individual work in English)

• French cultural and social context
• Values and behaviours at work
• Videos, exercises and final quiz
• French cultural profile

Session 2: Overview of French culture

• A significant historical, philosophical, religious and cultural heritage
• Social and political context, economic environment
• The educational system and the importance of qualifications
• A diverse territory, a cosmopolitan population
• Core values: liberty, equality, fraternity
• Cartesian thinking, critical sense and the appreciation of debate
• The relationship with hierarchy

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

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

Session 3: Optimising your communication

Working with France

• 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-performance 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)