1. 1. SEMINAR CROSS CULTURAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS March 2, 2015 Emma Kowalenko ekowalenko@kowalenkogroup.com 847-433-8747 1
2. 2. Seven Steps Toward Cross Cultural Proficiency Solutions oriented Understanding and respectful Cross-Culturally competent in Multi-Cultural contexts Communicative, motivating staff Engaged in the tasks at hand, flexible, building trust Sensitive to the power of multi-cultural project teams Sustainable in project management approaches Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are:
3. 3. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step One Solutions oriented and open minded about the requirements inherent in conducting international business and in working with a diverse staff Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Employee Scenario: What time and what day do I schedule an employee review with someone from a different country/culture? Client Scenario: What time, what day, where, do I request my first time with a client whose project I am starting? In the U.S. and overseas? What information do I need before reaching out? Challenge Scenario: My plane is leaving in three hours and I want to discuss a project issue that has come up unexpectedly. The issue is about a potential risk and litigation.
4. 4. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Two Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Understanding and respectful of multi- cultural differences and focused on maximizing project team similarities Client Scenario Case Study: My client asks me to replace one of my most experienced project engineers on the job. Who do I talk to, what do I ask, do I handle this differently in the U.S. than I would in another country?
5. 5. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Three Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Cross-culturally competent in Multi- Cultural business and social contexts, including outreach to clients, sub contractors, trade workers, and stakeholders within project confines Client Scenario Case Study: I have a project that may negatively affect a neighborhood close to the construction site. How do I communicate the mitigation measures to be taken by our company on behalf of our public sector client.
6. 6. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Four Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Communicative, motivating staff for project delivery on time, under budget, resulting in client satisfaction, a goal of good business Client Scenario Case Study: Because our project manager and our client went to the same university overseas, they share similar interests. Our project manager is communicating directly with our private sector client by e-mail, telephone, and in person about project matters without including her immediate superior and others at the company in the communication chain. She is a good project manager, the job is going well, under budget, on time, the client is satisfied. What is the best course to follow?
7. 7. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Five Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Engaged in the tasks at hand and flexible in implementing methods for getting things done efficiently, building trust in diverse work and business environments Emergency Situation Chain of Command Scenario Case Study: This is an emergency situation resulting from a hurricane. My superior is not reachable and I have to make a quick decision on asking the local elders for assistance in negotiating the use of school buses to transport of supplies to the reconstruction sites. How do I handle this chain of command challenge?
8. 8. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Six Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Sensitive to the power of multi-cultural project teams and, effective in tapping that power Employee Team Scenario Case Study: Our company has been chosen to oversee the construction of a high profile mixed use residential and commercial development in a foreign country. We have never worked there. No one at our company speaks the language except two junior engineers who joined our company a few years ago. Should I tap these two young engineers for this job? If so, In what capacity should they be assigned to work there?
9. 9. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Step Seven Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are: Sustainable in project management approaches essential for achieving optimum success within the geographical, regulatory, business and community prerequisites for each project Challenge Scenario Case Study: Much of the excavated soil from our construction project is appropriate for fill in a nearby highway project. Our client public agency and the highway authority do not have a history of collaboration. What should I do?
10. 10. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Seven Steps Recap Solutions oriented Understanding and respectful Cross-Culturally competent in multi-cultural contexts Communicative, motivating staff Engaged in the tasks at hand and flexible Sensitive to the power of multi-cultural project teams Sustainable in project management approaches Successful Cross-Culturally Proficient Managers are:
11. 11. Cross-Cultural Proficiency Beyond the Dictionary Seek individual and team perspectives Understand and learn by listening and observing to discern perception from reality Create environments for communication Collaborate to find cross-cultural solutions in multi-cultural settings, situations, challenges Encourage the celebration of cultural differences Select words and actions thoughtfully Send positive messages through concrete actions The What, Why, and the How of Going Beyond Dictionaries To a Cross Cultural Spelling of Success
12. 12. Your Cross-Cultural Proficiency Discussion Questions? Thank You! Emma Kowalenko, Strategic Planner Cross-Cultural Proficiency Coach and Mentor, Lean 6 ekowalenko@kowalenkogroup.com 847-433-8747