global engineering: considering production in a cross-culture environment

Global EngineeringConsidering production in a cross-culture

environment

© Alpha Consultants

IntroApril Bledsoe Sr. Engineering Specialist Navistar, Inc. Section Rep, Chicago SWE

Tamera Garrett Human Resource

Professional & Talent Acquisition Consultant

Member, Collegiate Section


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ENGINEER© Alpha Consultants

What did you say?TorchSpannerIndicatorFoot pathShort pantsEarth strap

Cola

FlashlightWrenchTurn SignalSidewalkShortsGround Wire

Soda (U.S.)Ride in the rear of

Truck (Venezuela)Soliciting (Mexico)


Geographic Origin

Gender

Education

Age

Lazy, combative, smarter, rude, etc.

Weak, Assertive, Equipped

Qualified, Accountable, Respectable

Generational, experience, technical savvy

Labels

Preconceptions can be

Misconceptions

Be Open!


Time Oriented vs Event OrientedTime EventA time oriented culture focuses

on time, they tend to be punctual, efficient and quick. Things start on time and end on time. Most activities last a certain amount of time and you can't add something to the schedule without taking something out. Time frames and punctuality are important. Everything is orderly, neat and in its place.

An event oriented culture focuses more on the moment at hand and less on the future. They think differently about time and put it way down on the scale of importance. Everything will work itself out and there's no need to get undone about a schedule. The value of the event and the moment is what matters. Activities and schedules normally start late and last longer with no definite time frame to be kept.


Share story (potential for lessons learned)Cultural Experience Gender ExperienceEducation

ExperienceAge


Respect for PeopleTitle smitleParts of the bodyWhatever it takesLessons to learnForge BondsCareer building

Who caresTeamworkGet the job doneMore experiencesLifetime

relationshipsCharacter building

Understand more about the culture, and you’ll understand how to be more productive.


TIPSAdd drawings Saying it louder doesn’t

help!Do your homework on

your team’s culture.Don’t make

assumptions that become misconceptions.

Be patient and willing to take a different approach.

Confirm understanding.

Write down steps/methods.

If you are not sure, ASK!

Learn at least a few words in other language.


Questions to ask yourself?Language differences aside, when working on a diverse team (more than one culture represented), do you see challenges in communicating concepts? Do you find that one’s own cultural perceptions may create filters by which the communiqué is received? Do you recognize that the other person’s filters may be why they are not understanding the concept, or even context of what you are trying to communicate? What are some of your strategies or tips to get your point across and confirm it is understood?


Suggested Resourceswww.Geert-Hofstede.com – Characteristics by

country.When Generations Collide, Lancaster &

StillmanGenerations at Work, ZemkeFrom Boomers to Bloggers, BurmeisterBridging the Generation Gap, Gravett &

ThrockmortonThe Six Thinking Hats, De BonoTies to Tatoos, Elliott-YearyBlink, Gladwell © Alpha Consultants