Over the last few decades, there has been a sharp increase in trade, joint ventures and economic cooperation between Europe, the US and the Arab world. Western companies operating in the Middle East find an environment in which the urge to build modern societies meeting the requirements of the 21st century co-exists with an attachment to traditional values and attitudes. As a result, today’s Middle East has developed its own specific, vibrant and dynamic business culture that is an attractive challenge for some in the West but a bewildering puzzle for others. And vice versa: Arab companies investing in Europe and the US cannot avoid dealing with cultural sensitivities with the partners they are dealing with commercially. Different business cultures should be clearly understood and mutually appreciated not only to avoid potential conflicts in business ventures but also to find ways to common ground and complementary competences.

To meet these requirements Leo Kwarten Middle East Consultancy has developed a series of workshops focussing on four different target groups.

• Finding Your Way Into Arab Business Culture
  
  This programme is meant for negotiators, export and marketing managers and project teams dealing with the Arab world, be it from their own home office or while actually living in the Middle East. This workshop benefits both newcomers and people who have substantial experience in the Arab world. The workshop will be tailor-made according to the specific job requirements of the participants and the Arab countries they are operating in.
  
  
• Working and Living in the Arab World
  
  This programme is meant for expatriate families who will be posted to one of the Arab countries. This one-day workshop is a unique combination of both the working and living part of the expatriation process. It is based on the assumption that family members who are posted abroad are not living in separate worlds but are required to deal with the new situation as a team. The workshop will be tailor-made taking into account the participants’ personal circumstances, their specific working/living environment and the Arab country they will be posted to.
  
  
• Team Building for Arab and Western Managers
  
  This programme is meant for joint Arab and Western management or project teams required to work together effectively and efficiently. Using creative and professional training tools, participants will be enabled to explore one another’s business cultures and perceptions and to find common ground and complementary competences. Participants will learn how to detect potential pitfalls in their intercultural communication and how to avoid or solve conflicts.
  
  
• Dealing With the Dutch (Europeans)
  
  This programme is meant for Arab negotiators, managers and investors dealing with the Netherlands (Europe), be it from their own home office or while actually living in the Netherlands (Europe). This workshop benefits both newcomers and people who have substantial experience in the western world. The workshop will be tailor-made according to the specific job requirements of the participants and the western countries they are operating in.