Preparing Trinidadian Managers for Jamaican Companies By Francis Wade Framework Consulting Inc. HRMATT Biennial Conference 2007 Nov 9 th , 2007

Jamaicans are admired, feared and not well understood

Caribbean Human Resource professionals want to be well-prepared

Recent news has been bad, disturbing and confusing

Powerful insights will enable you to take a leadership role

Challenge Company Executives to Step Up

1. Clarifying Company Culture Makes the Transition Easier Culture

A Cultural Audit Creates Understanding

A Cultural Audit : Surfaces assumptions about which culture is “better”

A Cultural Audit : Allows the existing cultures to be acknowledged and validated

A Cultural Audit : Allows the blend of both cultures to be better than either single culture

Defining new and specific Cultural Attributes build a firm foundation Core Values Vision Mission Brand Promise Strategic plans History

Clear Attributes prevent “Trinidadian culture” from becoming the new standard

Clear Attributes: Allow HR to create plans and programmes Interventions HR Strategy Performance Review Leadership Development Training Coaching Expat Transition Services Orientation Cultural Sensitivity Executive Succession Pension Planning Health Insurance Payroll Processing Transition Policies Pay Scales Recruiting Internal Branding Job Design Retention Outplacement

Common training puts everyone on the same page The past is left behind for both companies A new, joint vision can be created

2. Culturally- Sensitive Leaders Can Build Trust

Leaders can see how strengths turn into weaknesses

Informality, and lack of hierarchy connote disrespect

A focus on profits is seen as exploitation

Pecong is taken quite seriously

Leaders understand and adapt to Jamaican work culture

They understand the importance of respect

The realize they need to be much more hands on

They know that the workplace emotional maturity is lower

Q: Is there an Anti-Trinidadian bias? There are negative utterances But No wide-spread hard feelings* * (pre-LNG deal)

3. Teaching Executives to Be Reflective Helps Them Deal With Obstacles

Showing them their own path gives them awareness They can…

… see their own overconfidence /arrogance at the start

… expect resistance, and some big surprises

… try to avoid overcompensating

… avoid cynicism

They can find resolution through effective reflecting

With improved reflection skills, comes superior listening skills: What is in the Unsaid?

… when listening to employees?

… when listening to the company?

… when listening to the country’s “mood”

Listening to the Unsaid: Miracles

How can the HR professional take a leadership role in cross-cultural situations?

“ Unknown” cultures are scary.

Become effective by learning to take specific, informed actions

Ensuring your company’s success as it does business across the Caribbean region and beyond

Human Resource Professional: leading the regional transition of your company For further information on this topic, send email to [email_address] Framework Consulting Inc. www.fwconsulting.com