FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How is Beyond Borders different than other intercultural training and coaching practices?

A. Beyond Borders is distinctive in several ways:

First: We are experienced U.S. business specialists. We only work with business professionals, of any nationality, wanting to improve their business, sales and communication skills in the United States.

Second: We combine the specialized knowledge and theory of the intercultural field with the distinctive processes and principles of coaching. We question, challenge, inform and request specific actions. This self-discovery approach accelerates shifts in peoples' attitudes, motivation and behaviors - all of which are essential to achieving cultural integration, professional growth and achievement of goals.

Third: Our focus is on increasing clarity, confidence, competence and results. Before we begin our work, we take the time to learn about our clients as individuals and the environment in which they work. Then we partner with our clients to implement a practical approach that is adapted to their specific culture, business situation and desired outcome. Our interventions are designed to achieve sustainable change and improved results that can be measured along the way.

Q. Does Beyond Borders work with individuals or just companies?

A. Beyond Borders is, by design, a small and flexible organization that easily adapts to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Through our global alliances with coaches, trainers, interculturalists and translators, we have access to extensive resources when we need them without maintaining costly overhead. This built-in flexibility allows us to address the personal needs of individual and the larger needs of companies.

Q. How does Beyond Borders charge for its services?

A. The cost of our services depends on: a) whether we work with groups or individuals, b) the length of time we are engaged with the client, and c) the type of services we provide. Most importantly, we work the way our clients like to work --- by the hour, by the day, by the program or on a monthly retainer basis.

Q. What challenges do foreign nationals typically encounter when working in the United States?

A. Business barriers may arise because of cultural differences, misunderstandings, conflicting corporate cultures or simply personality differences. Based on dozens of interviews with expatriates and foreign nationals living and working in the United States, here are some of the more common challenges they face:

"The U.S. is short-term oriented vs. long-term strategic. "What's In It For Me" is paramount. Americans lose their long-term perspective because they don't believe they'll be with a company a long time."
- German Sr. Vice President of Marketing

" A lot of meetings are informal (in the U.S.) and there are no accountabilities. Meetings here are less productive. We discuss the same things in the next meeting."- British Marketing Manager

"Feedback on performance is more blunt and direct in the German/Austrian culture. In the U.S., there's more sensitivity in how things are communicated here. We come to the point immediately. Here, you talk about it first." - Austrian Human Resources Manager

" The American culture is more geared to quick decision-making.The UK requires more research and analysis. The UK doesn't take the risks that Americans take. Americans make occasional mistakes but at least things get done here." - Scottish Brand Marketing Manager

One of the things that is striking in the U.S. is the importance of the boss. He drives the decisions. Americans are sensitive to who calls the shots and they try to sense which direction the wind is blowing. - French Marketing Director

" Bureaucracy and legal HR issues are barriers. Here, we must check on policies and the legality of all HR decisions. In Germany, I managed 12,000 employees and could make immediate decisions without getting the approval from higher-ups or checking the legal implications."- German Human Resources Director

"Americans follow specific procedures to get things done. Colombians are more flexible in accomplishing things. We break the rules." -- Colombian Diplomat

"There is an amazing lack of knowledge about areas outside the U.S. Americans are clueless as to European countries and other cultures - and they don't care!" - Dutch Sr. Vice President, Sales.

"Americans are nice and polite but it's difficult to know where you stand in the relationship"
. - French Director of Planning

"Americans don't socialize, it's all about money." - Belgian Diplomat