Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2017 - 51

will be present at the classroom training
event, and request their assistance as an
informal translator.
Some audience analysis items to consider:
* Environment: Consider weather,
facility, power and elements that
can occur unexpectedly.
* Time and Calendar: Time zones,
daylight saving time, and local
holidays can confuse even
seasoned global facilitators.
TimeAndDate.com is a
helpful resource.
* Communication: Determine
what titles to use, guidelines
to managerial hierarchy and
introduction customs.
* Technology: Have a tech backup.
Store everything in the cloud,
and be cautious about sharing
flash drives. Check for readability
if showing a presentation on a
different computer, and watch
for LMS or system differences.

role plays or case studies; employing a
variety of methods will increase the odds
of successful engagement. Also, plan for
contingencies. If your design includes
role-play, for example, include a backup
plan in the design. Doing as much as
possible in their native language is
preferred. For example, they can discuss
and answer questions in their native
language, and then report to the group
in the classroom language.
Leverage informal learning options.
Discussion of content among learners
can lead to better understanding
and adoption, and this is especially
relevant when the training is created
and delivered by folks from other
cultural backgrounds. Following up
after a training event (lunch and learns,
meetings to discuss adoption or barriers,
success stories, discussing scenarios)
helps to increase connections and
stickiness. Likewise, mentoring can be
a valuable tool as a bridge to adoption
and closing knowledge gaps.
DELIVERING TRAINING ACROSS CULTURES

DESIGN TRAINING WITH GLOBAL INTENT
Reading, writing, listening and speaking
are different skills, so don't presume that
each participant can do all four well in
their non-native language. Use simpler
language, enhancing handouts and
PowerPoint decks with extra context and
content. Where you might otherwise
use short bulleted text, write out
multiple sentences. Provide handouts
in advance, and encourage learners
to read through and ask questions. In
short, give them every opportunity to
understand what you mean to say, to
help improve comprehension. This often
means adding more content to materials
than normal. Make sure to communicate
learning objectives, using them as a
roadmap through the course. It helps
with non-native speakers to track where
you are and where you're going.
One of the biggest differences between
cultures is interaction and engagement
methods. Don't rely on one method, like

In addition to having a global mindset,
two valued characteristics for a global
facilitator are flexibility and adaptability.
It is challenging to manage differences
in classrooms and unexpected things
that invariably come up.
For example, Terrence Donahue,
corporate director of learning for
Emerson Electric, sends a short
introduction via video before the
session. He introduces himself and the
course, and prepares participants for
any pre-work. On the day of the training,
he stands at the door and greets
everyone as they enter. He is creating
a comfortable and safe environment
before the training even begins.
Ask questions of an in-country contact
prior to the session regarding manager
sensitivity, gender practices, lunch,
breaks and attire. Look for relatable
topics to make conversations and
connections at breaks and meals,

like recent festivals, music, sports,
geography, or places of interest.
DELIVERY TIPS
If you are speaking to a group from a
different culture, state your intention to
not offend and apologize in advance for
any missteps you may make. Research
cross-cultural meanings and translation
in advance, and avoid idioms and
metaphors that don't translate well
across cultures, like regional sports.
Don't merely lecture; facilitate learning.
Have a deep knowledge of the subject
you are facilitating, and don't count on
the knowledge being in the room. Have
things to contribute - there are cultures
where that is extremely important, and
they may ask you direct questions to go
deeper and expect you to know.
Be aware of your pace and effective
communication, and plan and practice
giving
clear
instructions.
Allow
additional time for students to process
and understand. Create a safe place for
questions, but understand that they still
may not ask any. Have a person or two in
the audience, an "ally" if you will, who is
comfortable with asking questions or for
clarification. Be sure to have a tolerance
for side conversations; they may be
helpful for participant understanding.
KEEP IN MIND
Cross-cultural training cannot be
learned from reading an article or
book or doing it once. Increasing
the sensitivity to the topic is a great
start. Learning new things with every
training event or rollout will continue
to enhance understanding. When it
comes to training other cultures, it is
a continuous learning and experience
journey. The more you learn, the more
you find you have yet to learn.
Renie McClay is a past learning leader for
Fortune 500 companies and currently is a
global learning project manager with Caveo
Learning. Email Renie.

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