Connecting leaders across cultures and countries!
The World Bank calls Vietnam “one of the most dynamic emerging countries in East Asia region.” In the last decade, Vietnam has developed into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. This growth has led to a significant increase in the flow of international companies and professionals into Vietnam. Moreover, English is the dominant language of the business world, and having a strong command of English is essential to one's career development and opportunities.
This invitation-only Intercultural Communication Program carefully pairs Vietnamese business executives with an English-speaking counterpart from the United States/Canada. This program is structured as an informal, weekly, one-hour conversation between two leaders sharing and learning together. This has been shown to be an effective approach to leadership development, which can translate to faster organizational growth and impact.
In each meeting, the participants will receive a conversation guide with topics ranging from the professional (e.g., rewards and challenges of your respective careers, workplace culture, industry insights, etc.) to the personal (e.g., work-life balance, family responsibilities, etc.). Studies have shown that one-on-one conversation partner programs like ours are much more effective than traditional English classes where there is one teacher to multiple students.
This program has three goals: 1) To improve the English proficiency for the Vietnamese participants, 2) To enrich cultural understanding for all participants, and 3) To gain business intelligence about important trends in different industries. As trust is built and relationship is deepened, the connection started during the program will hopefully continue beyond the formal program.
Since this is an invitation-only program, only those who have been referred by one of our partners will be able to apply. All applications will be carefully reviewed, and successful applicants will be notified. Those who can fulfill the program requirements will be given priority. Those not accepted in this round will be added to a waiting list for future programs.
This program is co-organized by Seed Vietnam, a B2B training company based in Ho Chi Minh City, and Minas Partners, an international business development company based in California. Minas Partners is also the underwriter of this program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for this program?
This is an invitation-only program. Only business executives and notable leaders in Vietnam, United States, and Canada have been invited to apply.
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When will this program take place?
This program will take place in August and September. Once we receive your application, we will match you with your partner. If there is mutual interest, the partners can continue meeting after the program ends.
What are the requirements of the program?
All participants are expected to meet the following requirements:
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Attend a 1-hour orientation at the beginning of the program (dates/times TBA);
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Meet with partner for 1-hour per week for three weeks during the program;
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Attend a 1-hour debrief at the end of the program (dates/times TBA); and
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Complete an evaluation of the program.
How will the meeting take place?
You and your partner will meet virtually via a video conference tool mutually agreed upon. We recommend using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Facebook Messenger.
How often will we meet and for how long?
During the program, you will meet for 60 minutes, once a week, for a minimum of 3 meetings. The specific day and time will depend on you and your partner’s availability. Given the time difference between Vietnam and the United States, it's typically best for the U.S. partner to meet early morning (6-8am) or early evenings (6-8pm).
How many people will be accepted into the program?
This is an invitation-only program. Only a limited number of applicants will be accepted. Those who can fulfill the program requirements will be given priority. Those not accepted in this round will be added to a waiting list for future programs.
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How many people will be part of the conversation?
To maximize the experience, conversations will be limited to two people, one from Vietnam and one from the U.S. However, in some unique cases, there might be more than one conversation partner from Vietnam connecting with one U.S. partner.
What support will I have?
There will be an orientation before you start meeting your partner. There will also be on-going support and assistance from the program coordinator should any concerns or questions arise, or if you simply want more ideas and suggestions. You and your conversation partner will also be given a topic sheet each week that will provide a theme with guide questions to provide structure for your time together.
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How much does it cost to participate in this program?
Typically, business English courses with native speakers can cost over $1,000 USD. Due to the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Minas Partners is underwriting the cost of the program for all participants. We hope doing so will bless the business executives in Vietnam during this difficult time.
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Who can I contact if I have any questions?
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Mike Truong, COO, Minas Partners, mike.truong@minaspartners.com