An increasing trend that we have observed over the years has been the growth of migration; and how economic migrants are often professional, middle-class people, not solely people trying to escape poverty. There are more people becoming 'global' in outlook, both by accident and design.
Inventions to enable fast travel between continents, and communicate instantly through the internet, have occurred more rapidly than our ability to comprehend other cultures and ways of working. We, the human internet, remain the mule struggling, somewhat breathlessly, to catch up with the technological bullet train. There can be a tendency in business to think that international working is mostly about logistics, but our experience, collated with that of our research data, show that it's a much more multi-dimensional challenge. International teams are put together to complete a set of tasks or a project; but often it's the relationships and creating a mutual understanding, rather than the technical skills, that represent the biggest challenge. What we do know, is that it is important to be curious, adaptable, and comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity.
Often global working means reconciling apparent opposites. It means understanding that the economy is both national and global; that people are the same, but different. It means respecting other cultures and staying true to our values; seeking alignment of a working team while tolerating dissent; it means asserting ourselves as individuals and promoting teamwork. It also means using communications technology while deepening human relationships. If you are able to marry these apparent opposites, and can handle ambiguity, you are well equipped to become 'the Global You'. It will help also if you can become deliberately uncomfortable while trying on a new language or culture for size.
This may sound daunting, but we've sought to make the quest to become the 'global you' as practical as possible. When you visit an unfamiliar country, it's helpful to take a travel guide with you. Our aim here is to create a 'travel guide' to that unknown country called 'borderless working'.
Our observations and advice are based on research, discussions and interviews, coaching and personal experience. We come from different cultures and countries, and between us we have lived and worked in every continent except Antarctica. In addition, we have carried out surveys of over 700 hundred workers, and interviews with dozens more. Most operate in a global context, about 20% have had not global connect. There are positive tales to tell about working and thriving in complex, international teams. All this data has been calibrated and distilled into essential learning points pointing to the ten clear strategies tabled below :
1. Think global. Are you up to date on the socio-economic and political climate in the countries you are doing business with? When you wake up in the morning are you reading about or listening to local or international news items? When watching the news are you viewing some of the international news channels? Have you studied governance and other legal complexities of the companies you plan to do business with? Are you constantly developing that "borderless" mindset so essential for a global world view.
2. Learn to work in a multicultural context. Study the cultural 'do's and don'ts' from different cultures, countries and religions. You have to be able to engage with people from anywhere and everywhere, whilst blocking preconceived prejudices and stereotypes about religions and cultures.
3. Travel whenever you can for fun or for work. Take the time to get on a local bus or train, mix with locals, rather than choose to stay in your 'western style' hotel, disengaged from the local population. Immersing yourself in another culture is the best way to come to understanding it. Grab the opportunity to take an assignment in another country, even if it is for only few weeks. Attend conferences, and visit business sites. For those with local ties such as caring duties or schooling issues, which make physical travel difficult, there are ways to reach out and connect internationally.
4. Seize the hidden advantages of learning a new language. Learning a language is not just about the technical knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. It encompasses learning a different world view, based on the distinct history of the language in question - terms that have no direct equivalent; other words that appear to, but actually mean something subtly different. One of the surprising outcomes from the survey was the importance to learn the language of the people with whom you are working closely. This reflects the commonest frustration with global working: communication difficulties.
5. Learn to learn out of the classroom. Using virtual learning via webinars, podcasts, beamed lectures, VCs, Mobile Enabled Learning, gaming etc.
6. Constantly update your multi-media skills - get comfortable with virtual forms of communication. Choose the best medium. New technology is only a means to an end; it's all about communication. For some purposes, video conferencing is perfect; for others telephone is better, and sometimes it's necessary to meet in person. The medium has to suit the message.
7. Treat teamwork as a core skill. Companies often have to have a global reach to be viable - this means selling to, and working with people you may never meet. Differences can be productive: the best solutions can develop from a healthy debate over diverse ideas, so learn to ask the right questions and listen to the answers. Don't delay the 'difficult' conversation. It can be worth analysing the difficulty in some conversations: is it a language difficulty, a relationship one or a difference of opinion over the business's direction?
8. Draw and build a personal network. Structures are often fluid. You may be working in a matrix structure, and managing people who do not report to you. Operating globally is about managing relationships, not business structures. It helps to draw a map of your key colleagues, customers and vendors: who is really important? Are they the people I spend most time talking to and engaging with? In a smaller business, or as a sole trader, these networks become even more critical.
9. Build your personal profile. Web 2.0 offers opportunities for promoting your career profile, being an online publisher, and creating an international network - which can help with identifying new customers and markets, as well as connecting with peers and friends and maximising learning opportunities.
10. Learn to manage your time across time zones. You might often have to start your day early, or end late to connect with colleagues, customers or vendors who are a different time zone. Start to plan how you do this, perhaps often working from home.
