Module 1 : Successful personnal integration in Italy

1. Cross-cultural awareness : the key to a successful expatriation

• Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
• Culture shock and the integration process
• Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes

2. Key aspects of Italian culture

• The “Italian boot”: a divided land, the North-South divide
• The impact of lengthy foreign occupation
• The slow and painful road to Italian unity
• Debilitating political instability.  A two-speed society
• The Mafia, clean hands and corruption: time to move beyond stereotypes
• A priceless cultural heritage.  The educational system

3. Italian values and behaviour patterns

• Catholicism as part of daily life
• The family: a vital aspect of Italian life, the changing role of women
• Regional identity. Time-related problems
• Creativeness and a lively spirit.  The sheer richness of Italian "fantasia"
• The value attached to effort and success.  An ability to laugh and smile
• "Il gestire vagabondo"  or how to make the most of opportunities

4. Practical day-to-day information

• Focus on the host town or city
• High-quality health facilities struggling to keep pace with demand
• A dense transport network.  Housing and security.
• Social life, leisure activities, schools, extracurricular activities, sport

Module 2 : Successful professionnal integration in Italy

1. The Italian corporate world

• The role of the family in Italian companies
• Industrial districts: specialisations and networks
• Differences in working methods and in the notion of quality
• An impressive legislative arsenal

2. Effective communication with the Italians

• The circulation of information, professional networks
• Judging  books by their covers:  the importance of looks and gestures
• “Fare bella figura” or standing out
• Self expression and propriety

3. Working with Italian teams

• The Italian management and corporate culture
• The importance of intuition and the personal touch
• Responsibilities and decision-making.  Respect for status
• Demonstrating your "Arrangiarsi": flexibility and adaptation
• Building trust and confidence: the principle of "buon rendere"

4. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Italians

• The preparatory phase: many different points of contact
• High drama or the art of intrigue: horse trading and haggling
• Overcoming difficulties and obstacles.  Remaining above criticism
• Written contracts, their interpretation and implications

5. Final handy tips

• Patience, flexibility and humility
• Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
• Sensitive subjects: politics, the Mafia, fascism and corruption