Living and working in challenging locations

Papua New Guinea has been a significant focus of our work for the first month of this year.  A number of clients have expats moving there and another has Papua New Guineans moving to Australia. 

Locations such as Port Moresby are not high on the list of preferences for expat assignments.  The risk of crime is high and expats need to adopt significant lifestyle changes to stay safe.  Yet expatriates continue to take up assignments when organisations provide the opportunity. 

Organisations have a duty of care - a legal obligation embedded in OHS and compensation laws in Australia. Duty of care for business operations and workers that cross international borders involves risk management, health and safety, security and cultural awareness.  

Why cultural awareness?  The reality is workers need to perform when working overseas.  To perform effectively, achieving business outcomes, they need to manage risk well while simultaneously building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, local staff and government representatives.  This won’t happen if they develop a “behind the wire” mentality.  Instead they need high cultural intelligence, an openness and awareness of the cultural differences and a willingness to adapt.

When delivering cultural training for challenging locations, the specific challenges need to be addressed directly, acknowledging the reality of the risks and providing skills and strategies to adapt to the situation.  It doesn’t have to develop into that “behind the wire” mentality but often the risk management issues need to be addressed before trainees are open to learn about the cultural aspects. 

In our training programs for challenging locations we work alongside the Beltin Group, experts in risk and crisis management.  Over the years we have appreciated their realistic approach that builds a picture for new expats of how to live life safely, staying alert to possible risks without developing a negative mindset towards local society. And we appreciate the emphasis they place on cultural awareness and working well alongside the locals.

Not only do our trainees learn how to stay safe and manage risks, they do so in an environment of respect for and openness to the local people and their culture, building effective working relationships. 

So, with careful expat selection, focused training, quality risk management policies and practices, we believe expatriates can work well and live well in challenging locations. 

This month’s webinar will focus on staying safe and living well in any location –more information here.