In Cultural Awareness trainings

often simulations and/or tools like the Culture Compass are utilized.

• determine the other cultures' characteristics (values, norms, communication styles etc.),
• react in accordance with their own cultural background to the specific situation at hand, and
• successfully communicate with the other cultural groups
• so that ideally a mutual solution for the problems that stem from the encounter of those different cultural groups is found. The experiences gained from this process can be used to further development and maybe even modify the participants own (cultural) practices.

Depending on the specific goal, the target group, and the time frame of a training different tools may be employed.

ECOTONOS, developed by Dianne Hofner Saphiere, has been proven to be particularly useful. ECOTONOS does not rely on specific concepts of cultural theory but refers to Fons Tromenaars and Edgar Schein's understanding of "organizational culture and leadership": "Culture is the way in which a group of people solve problems." It is thus advisable to use additional approaches, i.e. by Kluckhon & Strodtbeck, Schwartz, Thompson, Ellis & Wildavsky (1990) or Hofstede in order to explain cultural theory interrelations.

ECOTONOS ECOTONOS is based on the assumption that a certain number of comparable life-styles exists globally and in all societies, though in different manifestations. These life-styles correspond with specific images and concepts of the world and mankind. Everybody shows traits of several of those life styles, however, one is dominant.

Expected outcomes:

• contrasting experiences reinforce the cultural self-perception,
• increased awareness and sensitivity of culture-specific characteristics of other life-styles,
• one's own as well as other life- and communication-styles are approached with an intention of finding common solutions to possible problems,
• strategic approach to culture-specific conflicts.

  Together with you we chose the appropriate method for your specific training needs.

  InterAct

  InterAct is an intercultural simulation designed by J. Bolten, which aims at integrating intercultural communication experiences made in the work place. This method thus goes beyond learning schemes which have a strictly cognitive or cultural-sensitizing focus.

  Business processes are simulated in case studies which - if the participants have different cultural backgrounds - allow for a semi-authentic, business-related, intercultural interaction. In the process of these simulations business negotiations, transactions and cooperation agreements in the international market are deliberated and "realized". Through this method participants receive a comprehensive preparation for real intercultural cooperation in the business world.

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