Beyond Bricks and Mortar

Book excerpt: Expatriate workers? International Students? Department Transfers to different departments within the Same Organization? Relocations to different geographic locations within the Parent Company? Global Assignments? Student Transfers to new institutions, domestic or abroad? All are commonplace today. Move beyond “Bricks and Mortar” concerns and delve into the aspects of organization-building that will: • Facilitate seamless transfers • Reduce employee turnover • Increase student persistence • Maximize performance The newcomer experience in organizations and educational institutions can be improved by working the Five Factors that predict success. The SYM- Q Model and research using the model examines the five factors which present the most significant intercultural issues for cultural intelligence in organizations, educational institutions, and anywhere newcomers enter an existing host culture. FACTOR 1: The CQ Exchange (social and dialogue interaction patterns between newcomers and members of the host culture) FACTOR 2: Individual Identity Factors (personal attributes; also called self-identity factors) FACTOR 3: Generational Identity Factors (technology usage and age cohort) FACTOR 4: Environmental Identity Factors (norms of the culture) FACTOR 5: Collaborative Factors (clearly articulated job expectations or clearly outlined programs of study; these are also called Academic Factors in an educational institution). Intercultural Success is a two-way street. Passage is negotiated by each interaction between newcomers and members of the host culture in the remaining four factors. The SYM-Q Methodology prescribes these interactions to help you to make the most of your intercultural experience.