This half-day workshop is recommended for U.S.-based executive briefing professionals, who engage with international visitors and who would benefit from a deeper understanding of the root causes of cultural differences and the importance of protocol in briefings. You can schedule an additional half-day planning session with the instructor to assess your specific briefing program’s readiness to host international guests most effectively.

International customers and government dignitaries who visit an Executive Briefing Center (EBC) in the U.S. have high expectations for building relationships and making long-term business commitments. Everyone on the briefing team who engages in any way with these important visitors from outside of the United States makes an lasting impression – positive or negative.

Knowledge and recognition of international business and protocol ensures a positive experience for your visitors and contributes to long-lasting business relationships.

• Understand the root causes of cultural differences and the vital importance of business protocol. Differences are explored between the North American culture and the cultures of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and South America. 
• Discuss cultures and countries that often challenge North American briefing professionals. Apply research from leading cultural experts to briefing programs.
• Participate in case studies based on actual “culturally challenging” EBC experiences. Break-out groups apply the concepts of cultural differences to make recommendations on how to handle varying customer situations. 
• Develop ideas to increase cultural readiness for your briefing team (speakers, briefing managers, reception, account teams, executives). Business etiquette and social customs are explored for guest reception, appropriate dress, greetings, business conversations, hospitality services, food preferences, and giving/receiving gifts. 
• Access credible resources for additional information by country to prepare for international visits. Supporting materials provide more reference information: Culture at a Glance, Dimensions of Culture Summary, and the reading list of recommended books and articles.

This workshop is designed to focus on the countries your specific EBC hosts most frequently. We tailor the content to address your real-world business challenges and focus on the top payoff areas for your unique briefing program.

Executive briefing management teams will benefit from scheduling a follow-on half-day planning session with the workshop leader after the Business and International Protocol workshop. 

Your globally-experienced instructor will lead an analysis discussion to assess the briefing program’s readiness to host international guests most effectively and define resources needed to make program modifications and improvements. 

Recommendations will be documented and provided to management following the planning session.