It may come as a surprise to the casual observer that many organizations do not consider the consequences of cultural attachment incompetent to transfer their global offices. Consider Intercultural or Cross-Cultural Training as an unnecessary expense or unworthy. Assuming that the current international assignments have no complaints so far, newcomers also expected to fit into the well.

In addition, the branch office Human Resources Department does not see the importance of helping a process of acculturation assignee. Especially in Singapore, much touted as a model of multicultural society, it is impossible for the transferee to experience any culture shock. Either that Human Resources would like believe.

There is researched and published as evidence that many expatriates adjust to their new environment, as those who do not. However, these organizations remain in the belief that they could replace expatriates at any time in half, or after the expiration of their contracts.

At what cost?

* The team cohesiveness and productivity subsequent department affected

* The company's competitive advantage is affected

* Assignee substitution through the steps making

* The financial losses resulting from:

– Initial recruitment and the subsequent:

=> The transferee either in committee or engaged in their country of origin or third countries,

=> The advertising costs, charges or recruiter / headhunter

=> The training costs involved if assignee is a Graduate Trainee

– Costs arising from housing, medical, transportation and other benefits

– Other benefits: marital or family relocation:

=> Applications dependent Pass and / or letter of consent from Singapore Ministry of Manpower if the spouse or the couple decides to work

=> Assistance in finding schools for children

* The company's reputation is at stake:

– Customers will take their business elsewhere

The foregoing is not exhaustive, but the representative of the problems faced by beneficiaries of a transfer and international organizations. However, these costs are more expensive than the Cross-Cultural Coaching and follow-up sessions as a whole.

Ange Teo is the Founder of e2m expat etiquette mentoring, a Singapore-based Cross-Cultural Communications Solutions Provider.

She has worked with some of the world’s leading multinational companies and Singapore-based small medium enterprises for over 20 years. Thus, Ange Teo has a good understanding on the intricacies of Intercultural work relations. Besides her intense belief in the importance of Cross-Cultural Competency – a critical aspect of an organization’s global competitive advantage.

For more information about e2m Cultural Intelligence [CQ]-focused Communications Solutions, please visit e2m expat etiquette mentoring. An Interculturalist’s perspective on Life, the Cosmoverse and Everything: the blue marble we live in

An escape to Marin – pt 4. Muir Beach to Mt. Tam & S.F.