London (UK), September 2013 - Video Arts is distributing a new eLearning course that highlights a best- practice approach to building, leading, and working in cross-cultural teams. Called -œManaging Multicultural Teams-, the two-hour interactive resource explains how leaders and members of international teams can build trust and commitment, achieve cross-cultural collaboration, and work together more effectively in face-to-face and virtual meetings.
Using a video case study of a fictional international team, the course illustrates how culturally motivated behaviour and different attitudes toward issues such as punctuality, communication style, team leadership, hierarchy, trust, and relationship building can impact team dynamics.
"With increasing globalisation, more organisations are creating international teams to meet their business challenges," said Martin Addison, CEO of Video Arts. "If you're asked to lead or work in a multinational team, this resource will prepare you for the experience. The video case study brings the concepts to life and shows the mistakes and misinterpretations that can occur when managing cultural diversity. The learning points will enable you to utilise everyone's knowledge, skills, and expertise to achieve the team's goals."
Developed by WorldWork, a company that specialises in cross-cultural learning resources, Managing Multicultural Teams is divided into three modules: Recognising Differences explains the advantages and disadvantages of working in a multicultural team, the leadership challenges involved, and the importance of valuing different cultural approaches. Managing the Differences shows the key stages of development of an international project team, practical ways to move successfully from start-up to high performance, and how to deal with conflict and setbacks. Sustaining the Energy covers the challenges of working and communicating virtually and how to maintain momentum and avoid communication breakdown across distance.
The SCORM-compliant eLearning course is presented by Louise Evans, an intercultural consultant, who acts as a virtual guide. With interactive exercises, quizzes, video clips, animated sequences, downloadable articles, and a “knowledge check” to reinforce and embed the learning, Managing Multicultural Teams can be used either for self study or be blended with other learning interventions. It is available on the Video Arts iLearn platform.
"This is an easy-to-navigate course that's presented in bite-sized chunks, so people can learn at their own pace," said Martin Addison. "It’s a cost-effective way for organisations to provide consistent training in cultural sensitivity."
