Course Outline: Cultural Awareness for Expatriate Staff in Malaysia

Duration: One Day

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Better understand the differences between Malaysian culture and their own culture
  • Gain an understanding of the uniqueness of Malaysian culture
  • Understand and deal with common issues faced by those working overseas (such as culture shock or alienation)
  • Apply practical methods to working with Malaysians
  • Avoid common pitfalls facing newcomers to Malaysia


Approach

This one-day programme uses Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions to examine how cultures differ from each other using five basic axes. This framework is then specifically applied to Malaysian culture for a deeper understanding. In the final part of the programme, this knowledge is used to formulate effective strategies for a more successful working experience in Malaysia.



Course Outline

Module 1: How and why are cultures different?

In this section, participants will understand the Hofstede Cultural Dimensions and how they apply to the Malaysian business environment. We will also look at Malaysia as a high context culture and its implications for business.

  • Status and power
  • Group dynamics and individuality
  • Orientation towards success
  • Dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity
  • Long and short-term orientation
  • Other ways of looking at culture

Module 2: When two cultures meet

What causes culture shock and how can you avoid it? What are the challenges of living in Malaysia and what are the benefits? In this section, we will look at adapting to life in Malaysia through theory, case studies and discussions.

  • Case studies
  • Avoiding offence and judgement
  • The challenges of living in Malaysia
  • From culture shock to culture "shiok"

Module 3: Doing business in Malaysia

Leveraging what we learned in module one, we will take a deeper dive into doing business in Malaysia, with cultural differences in mind.

  • Working and communicating with Malaysian coworkers
  • Tips for effective meetings
  • Negotiating with Malaysians
  • Managing and motivating Malaysian employees
  • Cultivating business relationships

Module 4: The uniqueness of Malaysia

What makes Malaysia unique? The answer must be the people and the food! We will learn some basic Malay phrases plus some 'Manglish'. Then, we will examine the role of Islam and other religions in Malaysia and have a primer on the political environment. Lastly, there are some tips for having fun - suggestions for outings and food.

  • Malaysian ethnic groups
  • A bit of Malay and a bit of Manglish
  • The political background of Malaysia
  • The role of Islam in Malaysia
  • Having fun in Malaysia
Caledonia Language and Training Services Specialises in Business English Training for the Malaysian market

For enquiries, please contact: emile@caledonia.com.my