News by SB Informer

Building Business Communication Skill: New Program Accelerates Integration of Internationally Trained Professionals

SB Informer
Friday, April 21, 2006; 04:14 AM

Internationally trained professionals come to Canada with excellent foundational English, as well as top notch education and experience. However, both employers and immigrants agree that workplace communication skills present a critical challenge.

"Delivering an enhanced business communication skills program to their internationally trained professionals, one that is specific to their workplace, is the single most important integration initiative any organization can do," according to Debbie Andersen, partner in Andersen & Lillie (www.andersenlillie.com)

Andersen describes the Business Intensive Program as hands-on and practical, using company and occupation -specific content to make learning immediately useful. "Results are visible-internationally trained professionals become more productive, more quickly; they are contributors, not observers, and are able to ‘fit’ with the team," according to Elaine Lillie, partner in Andersen & Lillie.

Lillie outlines 8 reasons why the Business Intensive Program is well positioned to become the critical new piece in their clients’ programs to integrate internationally trained professionals into their workforce: The Business Intensive is:

1.Solution oriented. It has been well documented that over the next 5 years, Canada will face a critical skills shortage. Andersen & Lillie offers solutions that make your internationally trained professionals more productive, more quickly.

2.Focused. The program isn’t English as a Second Language. Rather, it targets professionals who understand the basics of English, but who struggle to communicate the full range of their knowledge and skill in the Canadian business context.

3.Customized. All programs are tailored to the specific needs and culture of the organization and individual.

4.Practical. All assignments are job related and directly applicable to the work environment. Employers get "bang for buck" and participants see immediate results.

5.Modular. By offering 15-25 components, organizations can pick and choose those elements most applicable to their environment.

6.High Intensity. Sessions are short and focused. Each addresses an important element in the business communication mix but allows time between sessions for the learning to "sink in".

7.Comprehensive. Through a combination of workshops and individual mentoring, participants are able to develop team-building skills as well as enhance their individual performance, all in an accelerated learning setting.

8.Delivered by Experienced Facilitators. Together, Debbie Andersen and Elaine Lillie have more than 50 years of increasingly senior experience in Canadian business, track records of success as facilitators and particular strengths in communication.

As organizations look to international workers to meet growth needs, firms need tools to ensure they are maximizing their return on investment in internationally trained professionals. For more information about how Andersen & Lillie can help, go to www.andersenlillie.com.

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