international management – BELGIUM (1 day)
 

professional environment and values

1.    The social and economic context
•    Belgium, in the heart of Europe
•    Political and institutional environment: who does what in Belgium?
•    Business ecosystem (sectors, large groups, etc.)

2.    Belgian professional values
•    A multicultural society inhabiting a territory at a crossroads: Flemish and Walloons. Who are you working with?
•    “An artificial country inhabited by two democracies”? (B. De Wever)
•    Flanders close to Germanic culture; Wallonia close to Latin values

 

Communicating effectively

3.    Business relationships
•    Communication: empirical and consensual approach
•    Openness and intercultural sensitivity
•    Modesty and patience.
•    Flemish/Walloon differences: instrumental vs. emotional communication

4.    At the workplace
•    Optimise listening to understand the implicit
•    Expression of opinions and conflict resolution
•    Business etiquette: rhythms, styles, etc.

 

Managing teams and projects

 

5.    Management practices and tools
•    “Tirer son plan”/“Zijn plan trekken”: a very Belgian way of doing things, with pragmatism and opportunism.
•    Ability to work as part of a team
•    Positioning and role of the manager
•    Walloon/Flemish nuances:
                  •    Task vs. relationship
                  •    Time management
•    Managing Belgian diversity

6.    Operational applications
•    Advice when starting a job
•    Action plan