A total of 420 participated in intensive cross-cultural business immersion

With the closing ceremony of the fifth and final EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP) on March 31, the successful five-year initiative will come to the end.

A total of 420 Chinese and European managers from 24 European Union member states and 28 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions participated in the 23-million-euro ($32 million) program over its lifespan.

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As the 21st century began, the pressing need for companies and individuals to better understand each other's business practices was apparent, so the European Commission and the government of China jointly began the METP to provide training and practical experience in both Europe and China.

The METP focused on the core of economic relations - human resources development and people-to-people exchange.

During the first two weeks of each yearly session of the METP, European and Chinese participants joined for intercultural training in China - an intensive program of outdoor activities, intercultural business simulations, small group projects and company visits.

After the training, European participants attended seven months of Chinese business language courses, while Chinese participants had seven weeks of intensive management training at European business schools.

Impact survey

According to a survey by Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, participants not only enjoyed the METP experience, but also found it useful and relevant to their work. More than 80 percent said they were keen to apply what they learned at their own workplace.

Among all the training, European METP participants found Chinese language training the most useful.

The emphasis on the immersion in culture and trips to different cities alongside language acquisition also brought core benefits.

After their training, both the European and Chinese participants had the opportunity to test their acquired skills in a foreign working environment.

Internships

Such work placements were considered very helpful in better understanding the way Chinese-European businesses operate from the inside as well as experiencing a foreign culture and its daily life.

Almost 90 percent of European participants said the METP helped them establish and broaden networks for their ongoing and future business ventures.

Through the training and work experience, the program has met its objective to enhance and foster sustainable business relations between the EU and China, organizers said.

METP also had an impact on participants' careers and helped accelerate individual development.

More than half of participants changed jobs within six months after completing the METP.

The vast majority moved to a job with more responsibility in international, cross-cultural business.

The program had a significant impact on employing organizations, with tangible and practical benefits including new business ventures, partnerships and the development of beneficial networks.

New bridge

The EU-China Managers Association (EUCMA) continues the work of bridging the East and the West by overcoming cultural, social and economic differences and strengthening EU-China partnerships and friendship, organizers said.

The EUCMA boasts more than 550 members, both Chinese and European, in sectors ranging from manufacturing to industrial goods, from international trade to IT and from tourism to the environment.

EUCMA organizes conferences, lectures, events and publications to exchange experience and knowledge and provides all relevant information at www.eucma.org.