working abroad: bridging the culture gap
TRANSCRIPT
Working Abroad
Bridging the Culture Gap
Ayman Mahfouz
July 2015
Presenter
Ayman Mahfouz
● Vice President, Engineering at Webalo● Graduate of CS Department 1997● 15 years developing enterprise software in the
US● PhD “Requirements-Driven Adaptation of
Choreographed Interactions”
What is Webalo?
The User Agent for the Internet of Things
Webalo Platform
Disclaimer
This presentation is based on anecdotal evidence!
Expectation vs. Reality
Culture Gap
Misunderstanding
Distractions
Frustrations
Stress
Be Successful
Be Happy!
Your Circles
Company
Society
Peop
leProcessYou
Company – Process – Ownership
• Don’t be the weakest link• Treat company assets as if your own.• Observe copyright and licenses.• Security. Security. Security!
• Own the product• Consider the product as your son.• Don’t act as just an employee!• Quality! Quality! Quality!
Company – Process – Initiative
• Don’t wait till getting asked to do the obvious!
“Should I fix this bug?”
• Consult but also take steps independently
• Exercise care but don’t be afraid of making mistakes
Company – Process - Communication
• Oral• Written
• Requirements • Specification • Meeting notes• Email• Status report• Etc.
• Face-to-face• Telecomm
Communication is harder.Errors are more costly!
Company – Process - Conflict
• Give constructive criticism:• Criticize artifacts not people!
• Take any criticism:• Nothing is personal!
• Focus on solutions:• Don’t play the blame game!
Company – People
Company
Society
Peop
leProcessYou
Company – People
People are
People!
Company – People – Privacy
Respect Privacy!
Don’t!
There are TWO aspects to a person. Separate between them.
Company – People – Finance
Co-workers• Private property is sacred• Hard-earned money!• Borrowing and returning• Co-worker or friend?• “My treat”
Boss• Discussing salary• Not all are equal!• Asking for a raise
Company – People – Relations
Roads WILL cross againUltra-connected world
Don’t!
Exit Gracefully!
Society
Company
Society
You
Society – Diversity
Diversity is a goal rather than a problem
Society – Tolerance
Foes at lunch!
Society – Equality
• Your skills are what matters• Your value to the society• Seniority not based on age
Race & Religion Gender You know what!
• Fight for your rights• Discrimination exists but is illegal!• Don’t accept discrimination
Society – Community
• Continuity• Give back
• Teach as you were taught
• Community• Stronger together.
• Win-win-win
You – Honesty
Why was he impeached?
You
Company
Society
You
You – Working Hard
Do your best!
Don’t just rely on your intelligence!
You – Balance
In a work-centered culture you need to find your sweet spot.
You – Act “Normal”!
• You are who you are! Don’t be shy from your origins or traditions The “Dash” contract Don’t try to do something just to “fit in”. Usually, there is no dress code.
You – Profile
• Build a profile Programming contests Side projects Open source Blog some articles Personal Web site Social connections
LinkedIn StackOverflow Quora
Keep Learning!• New languages• Technologies• Online courses
Keep Improving!
You – Follow Your Dreams
• No social support: Find out who you really are.
• Land of Opportunity: Take (calculated) risks when you still can.
• Explore: Don’t be afraid to take an unusual path.
• Believe in yourself!
• Failure is not a shame but experience!
Summary
You
Company
Society Be Tolerant
Be Reliable
Be Ambitious
linkedin.com/amahfouz
@aymanstein
Discussion
facebook.com/amahfouz