If you are single, and being placed on International Assignment, you will need to consider culture-shock and loneliness most. If you are relocating with family, the role a spouse and family play in the success or failure of an international assignment is well documented. Traditionally, international companies have paid less attention to the pre-departure language and cultural awareness preparation of the accompanying spouse than to that of the employee. Added to this, the last twenty years have seen the rise of dual-career families and trailing male spouses.

Employers, therefore, can no longer rely on traditional overseas spousal networks to support accompanying spouse and dependents - leaving the employee to get on with their work.

Pre-departure preparation of male or female spouses and dependents is essential to ensure a successful overseas assignment. Sufficient cross-cultural coaching, as well as assistance to lead a meaningful personal and professional life in the target country, is now seen as vital to all international companies.  

In response to the changing needs of individuals on assignment as well as accompanying spouses and dependants, Shelley Lucas has taken her research and the experience from her own 6 years of living as an expatriate in France, Austria and Japan, and developed a program for Employee and Spouse Cross-Cultural Coaching.  This program, along with the use of GlobeSmart, is designed to meet the specific needs of each family, and provides detailed and up-to-date information on all the specific issues relating to spouse and family relocation. In addition to providing delegates with practical information on the target culture.  Employee and Spousal Coaching & Support aims to minimize the isolation often associated with international relocation. Issues such as cultural awareness, language acquisition, overseas employment, voluntary work, career advancement and further education are all covered in detail.

Each program is highly personalized, allowing delegates to spend as much or as little time as needed on each subject. There is also ongoing support available. Because each family’s needs are unique, the format, content and duration is only agreed upon following in-depth interviews.

Once concluded, Shelley will work closely with your company and each family, to ensure the program is designed to meet your exact requirements. Program options range from half day seminars to three day workshops, and always include transition coaching as a follow up. The option of a combined language and cultural program is also available and highly recommended.

Training is available at a location of your choice worldwide.