Onsite Programs - Global and Multicultural Business

Working with Israel

Description:
Challenged by Israelis? Get info plus skill-building to communicate and negotiate with Israelis. Gain insight into the challenges faced by Israelis and what works well to build common ground. Identify Israeli cultural values affecting attitudes and behavior, and how history, politics, immigration, military service, diversity and lifestyles contribute to Israelis' business practices. Safety, socializing, holidays, transportation and other business travel advice included.

Workshop participants learn:

• Cultural Values - Key Israeli cultural values that shape the Israeli identity, outlook and behaviors. Learn how to build relationships and trust for collaboration with Israelis.
• Business and Management Practices - Perceptions of time, including punctuality and meeting deadlines; gaining personal contacts and professional credibility; leading and participating in teleconferences and meetings; gaining respect, buy-in and commitments; decision-making and escalating; developing insight and appreciation for Israeli-style procedures and performance management.
• Corporate Contrasts - Similarities and differences between Israeli culture and your corporate culture (values and business practices), i.e., how customer orientation, risk-taking, quality, innovation, work/life balance, safety, valuing diversity, reserve military duty, etc. are viewed or practiced in Israel.
• Fundamentals - Essential briefing on "must know" facts about Israel, focusing on its founding and continuity in its geopolitical context; current events, economy and environment for business; demographic variety (religious, ethnic, regional, etc.); and the education system that shapes Israeli professionals for recruiting and training.
• Communication Style - Working effectively with Israeli directness, organization of information, verbal vs. written documentation, style of giving feedback, negotiation, questioning and persuasion. Learn conversation openers and topics to avoid; learn Hebrew phrases; interpret gestures, body language and appropriate personal space.
• Business Travel - Packing for Israel; personal security; hospitality and social etiquette with Israelis; kashrut dietary (kosher and other) and hygiene issues; work schedules and holidays; dealing with local transportation, laws and authorities.

Target Audience:
This workshop is for employees who want to understand the cultural values operating in Israel, gain strategies and tactics for business and management challenges, and practice intercultural communication to work effectively with Israelis.