Soft Skills Training: Cultural Differences and Team Building Training

Client: Wacker Chemical

Wacker is a leader in the chemical industry.  Based in Germany, it currently has research and sales centres worldwide and employs over 15,000 staff.  Wacker’s slogan “Creating tomorrow’s solutions,” is indicative of their dedication to research and innovation of new technologies that will enable hundreds of industries to make better, safer, higher quality products for the end consumer.

Problem:

As part of an annual conference, Wacker, wanted to incorporate a training session for over 100 of their staff.  The participants ranged from entry level staff to the highest level executives in China, and included both Chinese and foreign nationals.  Prior to the training, Wacker had determined that they wanted a light-hearted training that touched on issues of cultural sensitivity and understanding.  Wacker HR had asked ClarkMorgan Corporate Training staff to touch on several issues of potential sensitivity, and conduct the training in such a manner that made the training both entertaining and on topic.

Implementation:

Step 1: Content and Schedule

ClarkMorgan Corporate Training conducted a mandatory consultation with Wacker regarding the specific content that was required. ClarkMorgan Corporate Training attendees included Mr. Mike Joseph, a ClarkMorgan Corporate Trainin Trainer with over a decade of HR leadership experience in the UK and Mr. David Zhou, a bilingual account manager with substantial international customer service expertise honed in 5-star hotels across Shanghai.

The meeting was essential to understanding the objectives and concerns of Wacker management.  During the meeting Wacker personnel discussed the key areas they wished to cover and gave Joseph and Zhou critical information to ensure the ultimate success of the training.

Step 2: Assignment of Trainers

A group of over 100 people of mixed language ability and different cultural backgrounds presented a great challenge in deciding trainers.  Therefore ClarkMorgan Corporate Training recommended two key-note trainers with different language abilities and professional backgrounds.  Patrick McDonald, with almost a decade of hands on experience in China and a Masters in Business Administration, and Jeff Lunz, with a substantial background in customer service and an ability to deliver training in both Chinese and English were a winning combination. In addition to the two trainers, four bilingual facilitators were selected in order to ensure that everyone received the message.  Shengnan Huang (Australian), Katy Chin (American), as well as Molly Liang and David Zhou (both Chinese) provided critical support in ensuring audience interaction and maintaining a high-energy environment.

Step 3:  Course Development

The Wacker course was highly specialized and therefore required that the course be developed uniquely for this training.  This process involved a team composed of four nationalities and years of professional experience in cross-culture communication to compose a half-day training.  The training was designed to emphasize key points and be delivered in the trademark high-energy, high level interaction style of ClarkMorgan Corporate Training and its trainers.

Step 4: Rehearsal

The nature and size of the training created a unique environment.  In order to provide Wacker with a highly customised experience, the six people directly involved in the training rehearsed the presentation.  In addition to the rehearsal, a walk through, the day of the training to ensure timing and flow was conducted.

Step 5: The training

Conducted in the luxury resort of Sheshan outside of Shanghai, the venue set the tone for a relaxing staff-wide training.  The trainers hit on all topics raised by Wacker’s HR department and were able to provide a wealth of knowledge while enjoying a laugh.  The training itself was lead by the two trainers with a high involvement of individuals from the audience.  After key points were highlighted all staff were invited to participate in partner and group activities that provide an excellent environment for sharing ideas and fun.

Results:

From idea to reality ClarkMorgan Corporate Training was able to work closely with Wacker to develop a course that met all of their various needs.
Immediately following the event, David Zhou was told by HR personnel that the training “was very entertaining” and “really addressed all the different needs of the audience members.” While trainer Pat McDonald was greeted by senior management from Wacker and told “You correctly addressed several of the concerns we are currently dealing with internally.”

Conclusion:

The immediate feedback along with Wacker’s continued usage of ClarkMorgan Corporate Training's wide range of services demonstrates why more and more companies are finding ClarkMorgan Corporate Training to be the perfect “training partner.”