Practical Guide for Project Management Across Borders How to keep stakeholders engaged, break through cultural barriers, and develop strong virtual teams.

Practical Guide for Project Management Across BordersHow to keep stakeholders engaged, break through cultural barriers, and develop strong virtual teams

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Agenda

Introduction

Global Stakeholder Management

Tips for Navigating Different Cultures

Wrap Up

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Key Topics

Virtual Team Management

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Introduction

Background Originally from Louisiana

Started my career in Sales and Marketing for pro baseball

Moved to Argentina in 2012

Currently living in Bentonville with my fiance

Project Experience Came to Walmart Shared Services in 2009

Customer Liaison with Canada and Puerto Rico

Implemented workflow processes and systems in Mexico and Central America

Implementation of new technology in all Latin America

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Virtual Team Management

Building Your Team

Managing Performance

Communication and Collaboration Techniques

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Selecting Your Team

Team Competencies

Teams are normally assigned however there are times when you must hire or negotiate for your team members

Competency Traditional Virtual

Technical High High

Planning & Improvement High High

Communication& Influence High High

Adaptibility High High

Leadership Medium High

Problem Solving Medium High

Time Management Medium High

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Selecting Your Team Other Considerations

Availability

Personal and professional time contraints. Ability to travel.

Passion for the Project Goals

Look at the team members background to gain insight into their interests. Give them a clear vision of the project.

Have a productive mix of working styles. Avoid working in siloes.

Enjoy Working Together

..."It's your attitude, and not your aptitude, that determines your altitude“-Frank Broyles

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Achieving High PerformanceThere are a few techniques that can be used to increase virtual team engagement…

Team Mangagement Tips

Onboarding- There must be a well planned program.

Build Trust- Teams don’t focus if they don’t trust one another.

Team Building- It’s more than having drinks after work.

Motivation- Keep teams excited and focused on objectives.

Measuring progress- Share successes and recognize team members for their accomplishments.

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Communication and Collaboration Techniques

Face to Face Meetings

Personal Connection

Reduce Travel

Allow for Non Verbal Communication

Virtual Workspaces

Ease of use

Everyone needs access

Enforce updates

Respect Time and Language Differences

Adjust work schedule

Be aware of words you are using

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Global Stakeholder Management

Find your Stakeholders

Manage Expectations

Communication Technique

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Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

Use your whole team to identify your stakeholders in each region.

The first step is identifying your stakeholders and recognizing the influence thy have on your project

Assess how their goals align with your project and what you are trying to achieve.

Plan for preferred communication methods

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Manage Stakeholder Expectations

Have local champions

Align objectives with local organization

Offer language support

Involve stakeholders in planning

Be consistent with communication

Exceed expectations

Key Messages

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Communication TechniqueA major piece of project management is influencing and getting clear messages across

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Formal Meeting Informal MeetingReport EmailPhone Call

Key Messages

Over reliance on email can be ineffective

Get feedback on communications

Account for different languages

Know the local rules!

Keep it simple

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Breaking Through Cultural Barriers

Benefits of Cross Cultural Teams

Cultural Impacts on Project Management

Resources

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Benefits of Cross Cultural Teams

Create a team open to sharing new ideas and

driving innovation..

Multi Cultural teams can help keep you up to date on issues specific to the region you are working.

Unique experiences with dealing with risks and issues.

Adapt language and communication style to better meet customer needs.

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*United States Latin America

Independent Interdependent

Egaltarian Status

Risk Certainty

Direct Indirect

Task Relationship

Regional Profiles- Latin America ExampleConsider the affect of your management style on how different cultures approach situations

* Source: Globe Smart

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Techniques for Cross Cultural Management

Organization

Communication

Time

Keep leaders informed and pay attention to protocol Be more deferential to leaders and be careful openly challenging those

in authority. Be sure to ask often for feedback and personal opinions

Use more niceties in written and verbal communication. Ensure you have approvals before communicating to broader

organization More about the “how” than the “what” Use active listening skills

Plan for meetings and other activities to go over scheduled time. Plan for translation time.

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Things to remember when travelling

Travel

Allow time in itinerary for unexpected and plan time to relax

Know key phrases in target language

Network with your project stakeholders

Exhibit high amount of energy- It keeps local teams motivated

Enjoy the experience!

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Do You Have Any Questions?