Project: Training of Indian software engineers in business and communication skills for the U.S. workplace
Background:
One of India’s leading software and IT consulting companies, with operations throughout the world, had an account in the U.S. with a semiconductor company. A group of about 100 software engineers were working on a project for this client. Complaints from the client came to the account executive about communication and expected work-related behaviors issues that were impeding the progress of the project. About 2/3 of the software engineers had recently arrived from India. Their pre-departure orientation had focused primarily on logistics and social etiquette. They were inadequately prepared for the “soft skills” side of working in the U.S. environment.
Assignment:
Create an educational intervention to make the software engineers aware of the expected communication and behavioral norms of the U.S. workplace.
Intervention:
CMCT developed and delivered a customized training on American business and workplace culture, with special emphasis on work-related values relating to making and following up on commitments, candor and direct communication, acknowledging of failures and mistakes, egalitarian teamwork and management styles, and ownership of results. The training highlighted the differences between what is expected in India and expectations in the U.S. work environment. The training was attended not only by the software engineers, but also by some managers from the IT company and representatives from the client organization.
Result:
A better understanding on the part of the engineers, their managers and the client company about the differences in communication and work styles, and best adaptive practices for the Indian engineers.
Key Disciplines:
Cross-Cultural Training, Training Needs Assessment, Training Program Development, Cross-Cultural Consulting.
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