How to prosper in Canada

1. Laroche’s Perspective How to prosper in Canada Ali O. Oncel Geophysicist

2. The more books we read by Lionel Laroche the more we will learn about how to prosper with our challenging lives in Canada. Source for the books: http://www.amazon.com/

3. Who is Lionel Laroche? Question: Why did you become an IMMIGRANT? Answer: “I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied at the California Institute of Technology. There, I met a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. We both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, but she could not find a job in France, so we ended up in Toronto. I came here because we wanted to have good jobs in the same city and her profession was not easily transferable (she was a planetary scientist).” Source: Personal communication with Lionel Laroche, 2008

4. Canadian Perspective The way you look at yourself may be different than the way others see you, so you must try to understand how Canadians see you. Language is important to learn so you can have the ability to choose the right word in the right situation and become a more influential person in Canadian society.

5. Why is Canada different? In-Canada: Students face each other because there is importance on learning form one another; student to student.  The role of the teacher is to coordinate and promote teaching. Outside of Canada: Students generally face the teacher since the teacher is the source of information.

6. Invisible Cultural Differences • Punctual time: • If one is late five minutes for an appointment, that is fine for Canadians. Don’t be SORRY. •  If it is acceptable for you to be over 20 minutes late for a meeting in your culture, you need to know that this will not be tolerated well by Canadians.

7. Can we understand Canadian? • Watch movies by Canadians about Canada Some recommended movies: • Canada-A People’s History • The Greatest Canadian by CBC Source: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/ http://www.amazon.com/Canada-Peoples-History-Vol-1/dp/0771033400

8. Canadian Manager? Canadian Manager: Feeling more free on the work you are responsible for. More flexibility but higher responsibility. Off-North American Manager: Manager will direct your work.  Risk-free position.

9. Individualism (%) Source: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel Laroche

10. Individuality versus Collectivity Canadians are one of the most individualist societies in the world. For example; Canadian waitress - Individuality: She is responsible for the table. She serves for the table she was assigned. Non-Canadian Waitress - Collectivity: she helps with all the tables at all times

11. Soft Skills? Communication Meetings Negotiating Influence people Manage Leadership See more detail from http://www.softskillsforsuccess.com/

12. How large is Canadian Hierarchy ? Hierarchy (%) Source: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel Laroche

13. Can I prosper in Canada? If immigrants balance their technical skills to their soft skills, they can be successful in Canada. 30% of Canada's richest people are immigrants while the immigrant population is only about 21%

14. Do you have a Cultural Mentor? Helps with your adaptation. Increases your success in Canada.

15. Feedback Light • Let’s go for coffee. • Do you have a few minutes? • We need to talk. • Let’s come to my office. • We need to do these things. Small Medium Larger You are fired ! How will you determine how bad the situation is? Modified data after the Jasper workshop, Nov 17 -2008

16. Conclusion Prosperity (P) 6 yrs < P < 12 yrs

17. Acknowledgement We appreciate the Canadian Government very much for the learner conference, and Karen Bradley for her great support for helping organize such kind of presentation. My appreciation is extended to Dr. Lionel Laroche who provided his presentation, and Todd Odgers for his quick review of the presentation.