Within a country, have you noticed regional differences that affect the way you relate to stakeholders? Or does everyone’s commonality as residents of that country transcend those differences?
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
I ask because in the US I have to communicate with stakeholders in each region of the country very differently. For example, stakeholders in Washington, DC tend to be much more terse, formal and business-oriented than those in California, who are relationship-oriented and informal, and treating one group like the other can cause significant problems. Saving Changes...
Each region is different and even within a region same message can have a different understanding. I know here Quebec is different then the other provinces, and not all other provinces understand the message the same way. And just go in rural region compare to big city could be an other game!!
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Feb 27, 2017 12:43 PM
Eric Simms
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I actually had Canada in mind when I wrote this. Canada is high on my list of places where I want to relocate, and it struck me that though I could probably relate easily to Canadian stakeholders with an English cultural background, I'd have no idea how to relate to those with a French cultural background. At least I know not to assume we’d think alike and share the same values.
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Feb 27, 2017 10:47 AM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
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Each region is different and even within a region same message can have a different understanding. I know here Quebec is different then the other provinces, and not all other provinces understand the message the same way. And just go in rural region compare to big city could be an other game!!
I actually had Canada in mind when I wrote this. Canada is high on my list of places where I want to relocate, and it struck me that though I could probably relate easily to Canadian stakeholders with an English cultural background, I'd have no idea how to relate to those with a French cultural background. At least I know not to assume we’d think alike and share the same values. Saving Changes...
Eric:
I'd go over to visit, meetup with some folks for a meetup dinner, go to a PMI meeting, walk around town etc. If you have no constraints, travel. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Eric,
In the middle east, you won't notice a difference from a major city to another.
However, I live in Canada at the moment. I lived in Ottawa, Toronto and currently in Vancouver and there is a difference on how to deal with Stakeholders so I do agree with Vincent and Maria. Saving Changes...
Aejaz ShaikhPM I| Alyx Technologies India Pvt LtdPune, Maharshatra, India
Ideally, everyone’s commonality as residents of that country should transcend the differences, but in India my country, lot of states with their own regional languages and the change in culture does bring the differences. Saving Changes...
Philippe SchulerSenior Instructor/Lecturer in Project/Program/Account PMO Management| Independant ConsultantLes Choux, France
Eric, I have worked on large international programs where the Customer Company Headquarter is located in one country and the program in-scope branches are located over the world in different régions (Europe, Asia-Pacific, Americas). The Headquarter is usually sponsoring the global program I always had to deal with different behaviors from local Stakeholders regarding the initiative taken by the HQ. One amazing characteristic is higher distance between the HQ and the local branch, higher opposition to the program. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Yes, you'll notice regional differences in larger countries. You could also notice cultural differences and contrasting expectations in smaller regions. I haven't found too many homogeneous societies.
For that matter, if you get 5 stakeholders in a board room, you'll probably have to find different ways to relate to each individual. Saving Changes...
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