How to prosper in CanadaHow to prosper in Canada

Ali O. Oncel Ali O. Oncel

GeophysicistGeophysicist

Laroche’s Perspective

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/

Who is Lionel Who is Lionel LarocheLaroche?? Question: Question: Why did you become an Why did you become an

IMMIGRANT?IMMIGRANT? Answer: Answer: ““ I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied

at the California Institute of Technology. There, I at the California Institute of Technology. There, I met a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. met a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. We both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, We both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, but she could not find a job in France, so we but she could not find a job in France, so we ended up in Toronto. I came here because we ended up in Toronto. I came here because we wanted to have good jobs in the same city and wanted to have good jobs in the same city and her profession was not easily transferable (she her profession was not easily transferable (she was a planetary scientist)was a planetary scientist).”.”

Source: Personal communication with Lionel Laroche, 2008

Canadian PerspectiveCanadian Perspective

The way you look at yourself may be The way you look at yourself may be different than the way others see you, so different than the way others see you, so you must try to understand how you must try to understand how Canadians see you.Canadians see you.

Language is important to learn so you can Language is important to learn so you can have the ability to choose the right word have the ability to choose the right word in the right situation and become a more in the right situation and become a more influential person in Canadian society.influential person in Canadian society.

Why is Canada Why is Canada different?different?

In-Canada: In-Canada: Students face each other Students face each other because there is importance on learning because there is importance on learning form one another; student to student. form one another; student to student. The role of the teacher is to coordinate The role of the teacher is to coordinate and promote teaching.and promote teaching.

Outside of CanadaOutside of Canada: Students generally : Students generally face the teacher since the teacher is the face the teacher since the teacher is the source of information.source of information.

Invisible Cultural DifferencesInvisible Cultural Differences Punctual time: Punctual time:

If one is late If one is late five minutesfive minutes for an for an appointment, that is fine for Canadians. appointment, that is fine for Canadians. Don’t be Don’t be SORRY.SORRY.

If it is acceptable for you to be over 20 If it is acceptable for you to be over 20 minutes late for a meeting in your minutes late for a meeting in your culture, you need to know that this culture, you need to know that this will will not be toleratednot be tolerated well by Canadians. well by Canadians.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/http://www.amazon.com/Canada-Peoples-History-Vol-1/dp/0771033400

Can we understand Canadian?Can we understand Canadian? Watch movies by Canadians about Canada

Some recommended movies:Some recommended movies: Canada-A People’s HistoryCanada-A People’s History The Greatest Canadian by CBCThe Greatest Canadian by CBC

Canadian Manager?Canadian Manager? Canadian Manager:Canadian Manager: Feeling more Feeling more

free on the work you are responsible free on the work you are responsible for. More flexibility but higher for. More flexibility but higher responsibility.responsibility.

Off-North American Manager:Off-North American Manager: Manager will direct your work. Risk-Manager will direct your work. Risk-free position.free position.

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Source: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel Laroche

Individuality versus CollectivityIndividuality versus Collectivity

Canadians are one of the most Canadians are one of the most individualist societies in the world. individualist societies in the world. For example; For example;

n Canadian waitress Canadian waitress - Individuality: - Individuality: She is responsible for the table. She She is responsible for the table. She serves for the table she was assigned.serves for the table she was assigned.

n Non-Canadian Waitress Non-Canadian Waitress - Collectivity: - Collectivity: she helps with all the tables at all she helps with all the tables at all timestimes

Soft Skills?Soft Skills? CommunicationCommunication

MeetingsMeetings

NegotiatingNegotiating

Influence peopleInfluence people

Manage Manage

LeadershipLeadershipSee more detail from http://www.softskillsforsuccess.com/

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How large is Canadian Hierarchy ?How large is Canadian Hierarchy ?

Source: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel Laroche

Can I prosper in Canada?Can I prosper in Canada?

If immigrants balance their technical skills If immigrants balance their technical skills to their soft skills, to their soft skills, they can be successful they can be successful in Canada.in Canada.

30% of Canada's richest people are 30% of Canada's richest people are immigrants while the immigrant immigrants while the immigrant population is only about 21%population is only about 21%

Do you have a Cultural Mentor?Do you have a Cultural Mentor?

Helps with your adaptation.Helps with your adaptation.

Increases your success in Canada.Increases your success in Canada.

Feedback

Modified data after the Jasper workshop, Nov 17 -2008

How will you determine how bad the situation is?

• 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.

Light

You are fired !

MediumLarger

Small

ConclusionConclusion

Prosperity (P)6 yrs < P < 12 yrs

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

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