What do I need to be successful?
Key Learnings
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Prepare for living in a new country by researching language, climate, living accommodations, social norms, etc.
Minimise culture shock by investing time to experience your new cultural surroundings and understand local customs.
Know how to present yourself in any situation in order to make positive impressions that help you stand out and build stronger professional relationships.
To give an effective presentation, there are three elements that you need to keep in mind: have a presentation plan, know your audience, and engage your audience.
Effective visual aids can help the audience remember your messages.
Visuals should be an aid to the presentation – not the focal point.
Improving your professional skills in different areas (attitude, behaviour and presentation) will strengthen your level of professionalism and make more positive impressions.
Professionalism takes effort, commitment, and application.
Left unresolved, personal conflict can seriously affect your performance on the field.
Once you know your own natural response and understand the style of the other person with whom you are in conflict, you can adjust your response in such a way that leads to resolution more quickly and effectively.

Professional behaviour

  • Punctuality
    Barring an emergency, it is not appropriate to be late to a meeting, function, conference, or gathering. It is an implication to everyone present that you think your time is more valuable than theirs.
  • Body language
    Always try to use positive body language and facial expressions. You can convey through a smile, active listening, and open posture that you are truly involved and that you are attentive to what others have to say. Body language can convey confidence and interest, two qualities that sponsors, media and other influential people in your career may consider attractive and marketable.
  • Mobile phone use
    Unless it is an emergency, it is not appropriate to use your mobile phone while in the company of others. If a call must be answered, politely ask to be excused.
  • Conversing
    Being able to discern the types of topics that are appropriate for conversation is also a key professional behaviour. When speaking in a formal setting – business or otherwise – you should avoid asking personal questions. Additionally, in conversation, you should avoid interrupting others and should think before you speak. A professional is never patronising or demeaning to others, regardless of past experiences or level of education.