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Business Management
Description

You definitely heard about people failing in finding a proper job or starting their own business due to a range of situations which sometimes made them feel embarrassed. Or maybe you are aware of people being engaged in so-called ”teams' ' at their workplace but which perform everything by themselves. In this training course you will learn how to get successfully employed in a company or even start your own business. You will also find out about intercultural behaviour and how to deal with multinational workmates in order to avoid unpleasant situations.  Last but not least you will have the chance to become aware of some useful steps we recommend so as to start a successful e-business and get informed about some businesses which are in high demand at present.


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Business management in terms of effective teamwork

DefinitionsClick to read

To define them as simply as possible, business management means the act of managing (coordinating and administering) business activities, tasks, and resources in order to achieve a set objective whereas teamwork is seen as a process in which a group of people work together for the purpose of achieving a goal. Both terms have a strong bond, they complete each other and only combined can one have the best results.

Benefits and examples of teamwork Click to read

When conducting a job interview today, teamwork competency is one of the most valued by recruiters in the employee selection process as it brings many benefits to the company.

Let us take a look at some advantages of teamwork that can be applied both in the company environment and in sports teams, and even in educational contexts where several people are involved in joint projects:

  1. It promotes creativity and learning. Creativity grows when people work together as a team. Brainstorming avoids self-centred viewpoints and allows creativity to expand thanks to the viewpoints of the teammates.
  2. It mixes complementary strengths. Teamwork allows the talents of each person in the team to complement each other to create a final product that could not have been achieved individually. Just like in a musical group, where one person may stand out for having a good voice, another for playing the guitar very well, and another for being very good at the drums. In a work team, one can stand out because he is a good programmer, another because he is a good graphic designer, and another because he knows a lot about the textile business. The union of the three can provide new business opportunities that would not be possible if they wanted to go it alone.
  3. It reduces stress. Individual work increases workload and responsibilities and this can lead to increased stress. Because teamwork allows both tasks and responsibilities to be shared, stress is reduced.
  4. It improves performance. Because teamwork allows individuals to focus on what they do best, they don't have to worry about jobs or tasks they don't master. This helps produce better quality work as it increases productivity.
  5. It increases efficiency and productivity. Each individual focuses on their specialty, and collaboration allows each to maximize their potential in the task they master. Before achieving results, teamwork requires a period in which relationships can develop so as groups continue to increase efficiency and productivity.

Ways of encouraging the team spirit Click to read

”To form a team is just the beginning, to stick together is progress, to work together is success.” Henry David Thoreau

To maintain a cohesive team and achieve long-term results is the goal of any efficient manager who must demonstrate emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion. And, last but not least, he must lead by example and demonstrate that he is also part of the team, while maintaining his objectivity. In order to have a prosperous business any leader must encourage team spirit:

  1. Through common objectives
  2. By creating a sense of belonging to the group and the organisation
  3. By clearly delegating tasks
  4. By organizing professional and social activities – recurring meetings, team-buildings, workshops, team volunteering actions
  5. By recognizing each member as a unique individual with different experiences, knowledge and points of view, and encouraging creativity and innovation.
Intercultural management – the key to successful employability on the European labour market

Cultural diversity can turn any business into profit Click to read

The notion of intercultural management involves the analysis and implementation of strategies aimed at managing the cultural differences inherent in intercultural teams. By cultural differences, we must understand the representations and values ​​that characterise each culture. For the effective management of cultural diversity, those aspects of culture that influence the way people work and relate to each other must be taken into account. Furthermore, work ethics can be studied in any type of organisation, regardless of its size. Culture influences: our behaviour, our perceptions, our values.

Let us take an example of a French manager within an English team:

A French manager leading an English team will be confronted with different cultural situations from those he might encounter with a French team. This cultural difference can be difficult to manage because the behaviours, norms and values ​​of another culture are often unknown to us and we do not know how to interpret them.

To go deeper into the matter, culture influences our behaviour, perceptions and values, and also shapes our work habits. Thus, the French manager risks being somewhat disconcerted by the informal relations that his English collaborators have with each other. Indeed, it is very common for the English to call each other by their first name, and this happens at all levels of the organization chart. This way of contact in the professional environment is still quite rare in France where the use of civilities - Mister, Madam - and titles - Master, Doctor- remains very anchored in the business culture and implies a mark of respect towards colleagues and hierarchical superiors.

It is very common for the English to call each other by their first name, and this, at all levels of the organisation chart. Fortunately, a solution exists:

Training in intercultural management is designed to respond to this type of problem. They make it possible to become aware of one's own cultural values ​​for better management of intercultural teams. This awareness of the culture of the other and of one's own culture brings people together and strengthens professional ties by reducing misunderstandings and cultural incidents that can affect the smooth running of a project. More than that training in intercultural management brings real added value and profit to the company for which cultural differences will be understood and assimilated within their intercultural teams.

Advantages and obstacles in intercultural management Click to read

Intercultural management is viewed as an asset, but also as a great challenge for a multinational company. Understanding the advantages and obstacles is the first step in implementing good managerial practices.

Thus, the collaboration and richness of a multicultural team can offer your company:

  • diverse perspectives, which are sources of creativity and innovation;
  • a better understanding of your customers, which will support the competitiveness of your organization;
  • increased cultural sensitivity, and therefore better targeted marketing;
  • the ability to better retain talent within your company;
  • the possibility of developing a wider and more adaptable range of products and services.

In order to avoid the obstacles which may appear in an intercultural team one should pay attention to some rules:

Let us follow some tips to avoid obstacles in a multicultural business team:

  1. Do not ignore cultural differences within your team
    The simple act of learning about the culture of your team members can help you identify differences (especially in the way you communicate) that could be a source of stigma.
  2. Set up a multicultural management allowing your team to take advantage of their differences
    It is important to plan times for preparation when your employees need it. It also shows them that you respect their differences. This behaviour will give them the feeling of being truly valued by their manager, as well as by the other members of their team.
  3. Actively fight stereotypes
    There is often a finer line than one might imagine between being aware of cultural differences and relying on stereotypes to make assumptions about the behaviour of your employees. To avoid them, it is usually enough to familiarize yourself with each of your collaborators. Encourage your colleagues to do the same. This will allow you to no longer see them as the “representatives” of a culture, but as individuals in their own right.
  4. Practise empathetic management
    The simple fact of worrying about the well-being of your employees, and their integration within your team, allows you to defuse blockages when they arise. And this, whether they are due to cultural differences or not. But also, to promote mutual respect between your employees.
  5. Get inspired by the intercultural management practices of other companies
    Many concrete initiatives can allow you to value the cultural differences within your team, promote good understanding and collaboration. Look for companies which have already experimented with intercultural management and adapt the ideas to your own company.
A profitable business in the digital era

Steps to follow in order to start a profitable e-business Click to read

Here are some ideas you may follow to launch your business on the internet:

  1. Sell your creations online
    In order to achieve this step, it is necessary to lay down a few basics: the tools you need (computer, website host, a domain name), questions to ask yourself before getting started (Is the project really interesting for me?, Are my skills appropriate and/or sufficient?, Are my resources sufficient? etc.), the process to create my business (to ensure an e-commerce respectful of legislation, it is mandatory to create your company to sell your creations online.), actions to make yourself known (to hope to make your e-commerce store profitable to sell your own products, you have to go through the “webmarketing” box.)
  2. Create a drop-shipping store
    The principle of what is called drop-shipping is to sell a product without taking care of stock management. Very profitable, this type of online business does not require a lot of investment since it is enough to open a web platform to sell the articles put forward.
  3. Launch your brand
    It is important to establish a strategy to stand out and thus create a brand that speaks to potential future buyers: create your style and target your customers, focus on quality, build customer loyalty.
  4. Become a freelancer
    There are many jobs that allow you to work as a freelancer, that is to say a micro-entrepreneur. By engaging in this project, you then become your own boss, arrange your schedules as you wish, establish your own professional framework and, above all, give yourself every chance to make your project a successful business.
  5. Start blogging
    Big trends of the moment, blogs are flourishing on the internet and are proving to be the ideal plan for certain profiles. Thus, create a website, define your target, find the right keywords and build customer loyalty.
  6. Publish your ebook
    The publication of an e-book can be very profitable in the long run.
Businesses in high demand Click to read

There are quite many opportunities to start an e-business which can turn into a profitable and long-term activity. Here are some ideas of such jobs which can be performed from the cosiness of your home:

  1. Start a blog
    Thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people around the world create quality content on a variety of topics every day, generating substantial income.
  2. Graphic design
    All you need is a computer powerful enough to run the featured software, some imagination and motivation. Graphic design professionals are very well paid and can work from the privacy of their own home.
  3. Web design
    People who work in web design are incredibly valuable to all companies that own websites, regardless of the company's field of activity.
  4. Online courses
    If you have got enough experience in a field that is somewhat interesting and you have useful knowledge to share with others, then online courses are a good solution for your business.
  5. Instagram marketing
    An individual with experience in Instagram marketing can be the basis of a very profitable modern business idea.
  6. Resale of products in online stores
    Anyone can sell products on various sites. You just need to find factories, either local or international, that create items which are not that popular, but which you think would be a real hit once they get on the market.
  7. Virtual assistant
    Many important people, who do not want to hire an assistant manager, turn to such business ideas to find people willing to help them in their daily life. A virtual assistant will have quite different duties – from booking plane tickets, to managing emails, documents and so on.
  8. Resume Writer
    Such online business ideas deal with the creation and writing of CVs for individuals, for some money, of course.
Summing up

Summing upClick to read

Business management

Business management is a fairly broad field that takes into account the overall management and coordination of the business activities a company develops.

Intercultural management

Developing cultural intelligence skills is the best strategy to successfully integrate in a multicultural company/team.  

Teamwork benefits

Being part of any tight team means enjoying the progress of  your company, teamwork competency being one of the most valued by recruiters in employee selection process. 

E-business

Starting an e-business can be not only your necessity for the moment but also a profitable activity taking into consideration the experience we all had during the pandemic.

 

Quests! Learn more.

Teamwork skills can turn you into a successful employee

Embracing cultural diversity at work

Profitable businesses in demand in the online environment


Test Yourself!




Related Glossary:
  • Blog:
    Shortened from weblog, a blog is a frequently updated website that is used for personal commentary or business content. It can take the form of posts or articles and usually has specific topics, such as sport, travel, entertainment, food, IT, etc.
  • Drop-shipping store:
    It is a store that ships goods from a manufacturer or wholesaler directly to a customer instead of to the retailer who took the order.
  • Stereotypes:
    They are often unfair and untrue beliefs which many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.
  • Website:
    A website is composed of all the web pages of the same domain stored on a server. Colloquially, the terms website and web page are used interchangeably, although they are not exactly the same.
  • See all terms

Educator Tips:

This training course is recommended to be approached from the most practical perspective having in view that the target group it addresses is made up of young people between 15 to 29 years old which are neither studying nor working.

More than that, there is a need for them to try their best in getting involved in the practical activities so as to acquire a good level of knowledge that will give them motivation and courage to start up a proper e-business as soon as possible.

Consequently, lessons should have a constant dynamic and feedback so as to keep the trainees focused and actively involved in the development of the course.

All the contents in the Resources sections are of valuable help for trainers and are thus recommended to be generously used. 

Quest 1: In this task trainees’ communication skills will be strengthened and their creativity and openness when it comes to accepting suggestions. As it involves some pair and group work, they will gain a willingness to share expertise and trust their mates in order to successfully complete the tasks.

Quest 2: In this case, the emphasis is on cultural diversity within the work team and trainees have the chance to get confident in working with team mates from all over the world. This activity may be stressful for trainees with certain strong beliefs about certain cultures and the topic should be softly approached if necessary. 

Quest 3: Choosing a suitable e-business is proposed in this task and it must be performed as a challenge to motivate trainees to put it into practice in real life. The focus must be on encouraging them to find the best solution for their future real e-commerce activity.


Keywords

management, interculturality, team work, business, long life learning


Bibliography

Bryant, A. Key Elements of Effective Workplaces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R78pvt9JFNY

Gordon, J. (2018). The Power of a positive team: Proven principles and Practices that Make Great Teams Great.
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Team-Principles-Practices/dp/1119430240

https://www.octanner.com

Mead, R. and Andrews, T.G. (2009). International Management: Culture and Beyond, Fourth Edition

Rogers, M.G. (2017). You Are the Team: 6 Simple Ways Teammates Can Go from Good to Great.
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Team-Simple-Teammates/dp/1546770852

Spencer-Oatey, H. & Franklin, P. (2009). Intercultural Interaction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Intercultural Communication 



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2021-1-IS01-KA220-VET-000027983

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