Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences

1. Intercultural awareness, the key to success in international business

• Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
• The basics of effective intercultural management
• Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes

2. Key aspects of Jordanian culture

• The Hashemite Kingdom
• A strategic area in a vital region for European imperialism
• Transjordan and the West Bank: understanding the historical context
• Palestinians, Bedouins and migrants, islam and Christianity
• All the richness and diversity of a thousand-year-old civilisation
• Democratisation and development: challenges for the 21st century.

3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships

• The family, the clan and the tribe, honour and hospitality
• Jordanian women: between emancipation and discrimination
• The importance attached to status
• A flexible view of time
• A direct and measured communication style

4. The Jordanian corporate world

• The public and private sectors: significant differences
• The value attached to experience and seniority
• A clearly observed hierarchy, privilege and favouritism 
• The market, employment and turnover
• The role of the state and the authorities

Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Jordanians

1. Effective communication with the Jordanians

• Conversation and "small talk": creating the right atmosphere
• The importance of networking
• The common use of English and the day-to-day use of Arabic: the keys to easier integration
• Verbal and unspoken communication
• The circulation of information, networks

2. Adapting your working methods

• Effective management: an enterprising spirit, adaptability and a willingness to make a real effort
• Building trust and confidence: an ability to listen
• Deciding and informing
• Generating motivation and loyalty among teams: making the most of comparative advantages
• Conflict avoidance
• Pitfalls to be avoided

3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Jordanians

• Creating a favourable climate
• Identifying decision-makers
• Qualifying your statements. Showing respect
• Attitudes to contracts and their implications
• Time, priority and deadline management
• Understanding written contracts, their interpretation and implications
• Organising the post-negotiation phase

4. Final handy tips

• Caution, patience and humility
• Protocol and etiquette, social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code
• Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
• Humour: a double-edged sword