1. How do you think the organization should handle preparing experts for such opportunities. What should the employee be responsible for doing?

2. How challenging do you think this assignment would be? To what degree will Nick’s start-up experience in the US help him be effective starting McDonald’s restaurants in China?

Nick’s skillset with setting up restaurants in the United States will assist him from a business perspective with starting up restaurants in China. There will be some challenges that he will have to overcome, such as the language barrier and local customs. Since McDonald’s already has 1,300 outlets in China, there should be a continuity plan to assist him with the task of setting up new restaurants.

How can language and cross-cultural training help Nick and his family adjust to Chinese culture?

There are multiple benefits to cross-cultural training. Cross-cultural training helps people learn about themselves by learning about others. It will encourage self-confidence by empowering them with a sense of control over difficult challenges in the workplace. Barriers such as preconceptions, prejudices, and stereotypes that would obstruct the understanding of other people are broken down. By lowering barriers, it will establish a trust relationship. After removing the misconceptions and fear of another culture, the trained individual will be able to recognize areas in which they need to improve and will be motivated to do so. Finally, it will enhance employees skills and future employment opportunities (The 10 Benefits, n.d.).

If Ella goes to China for a year, how might that decision impact her career? What are her chances of working for the local law firm when she returns from China?

If the family were to go to China with Nick, it could be looked upon as Ella took a gap year after college graduation. She could approach the law firm to see if the job would still be available to her after they returned from China. Some of the benefits of taking a gap year are; a better sense of self and deeper multicultural understanding which would assist her with coping with challenges in a creative manner. Acquiring new skills and knowledge for career enhancement. The probability of increased job satisfaction and employability. There is also the benefit of an expanded contact network (How a gap, 2017).

What would you do if you were Nick? Go alone to China or ask Ella, Jenny and Luke to accompany you?

Of my 20+ years in the Air Force, my family and I spent over eight years overseas. If this were a multi-year assignment, I would seriously consider bringing the family to live, learn, and enjoy the international culture. Since it is only a one-year assignment and a good portion I would be on travel, it seems senseless to uproot the family. What I would do is negotiate with McDonald’s about having my family visit me in China, so they would be able to experience the culture.

Reference

The 10 Benefits of Cross-Cultural Training—Top7-Or-10-Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2019, from http://www.odrnews.com/7869.php

How a Gap Year Can Add Value to Your Career. (2017). Retrieved August 12, 2019, from Winterline website: https://www.winterline.com/gap-year-can-add-value-career/

3. How challenging do you think this assignment would be? To what degree will Nick’s start-up experience in the US help him be effective starting McDonald’s restaurants in China?

It depends on what you mean by challenging. I think that based on the fact that Nick was offered this job, the company feels that he is more than capable to handle the position and the tasks that it entails. I think that the experience that Nick has in the US will greatly help him overseas. I think that the biggest challenge that he will face could be a language barrier. I think that it would be beneficial for McDonald’s to provide him with language classes and possibly and interpreter until he can get adjusted and hire staff to assist him. It will be challenging in the fact that there will be a lot of hours that are put into the tasks and at different locations so traveling around China may also be difficult as well. I think that the assignment will be more challenging to his family.

How can language and cross-cultural training help Nick and his family adjust to Chinese culture?

Language and cross-cultural training is going to be very beneficial to Nick as his family. Having language classes may not make him fluent in the language but it will at least give him a basis so that he can communicate efficiently. As he immerses himself in the culture then he will be able to become more fluent in the language. Cross-cultural training is going to be a big factor in helping the family adjust. According to mbaskool.com cross cultural training is defined as “the training given to employees related to the cultural differences between nations, the awareness of which helps in running smooth business across the nations. Cross cultural training is essential for doing business in present scenario involving multiple nations and cultures. One needs in depth understanding of the culture of the country he/she is dealing with.” Cultures are different and countries do things differently. It is imperative when entering a new country to do business, that you understand their culture and respect the things that they do in that country.

If Ella goes to China for a year, how might that decision impact her career? What are her chances of working for the local law firm when she returns from China?

If Ella goes to China for a year she may not have the job to come back to and may have to start over with the job search. She is just starting out in her law career so it is important that she builds a great reputation for herself. I think that it ultimately depends on the law firm if they will hold a spot for her until she comes back. That may be ok to do in larger firms that have more revenue but in local law firms they may need to be fully staffed and have the help to handle their case loads. It is not likely that her job will be waiting for her when she returns.

What would you do if you were Nick? Go alone to China or ask Ella, Jenny and Luke to accompany you?

If I were Nick I would go alone. I know that it would be hard to be away from your family for a year but take into consideration the amount of time that he will be gone and traveling to other parts of China. He may not even see his family that much and when he would come back to Beijing, he may be swamped with other work to do. If his family does not go then the company will fly him home on two separate occasions for a week at a time. Also, the children are in very impactful years in their life, Jenny has a team that she is trying out for and a lot of friends, Luke has a lot of friends that do not want to see him go. I think that the move will hurt them more than it will help. By the time that they get settled and adjusted it could be time for them to come home. Ella also has a new career to think about. She just graduated and already has a job. It sounds as if the whole family will be busy that the year will just fly by! Also, with the advancements in modern technology the family could essentially see each other everyday through video chats.

Resources

Cross Cultural Training. https://www.mbaskool.com/business-concepts/human-resources-hr-terms/16137-cross-cultural-training.html