Russel Jamieson's presentation to South East branch Alan Webb Memorial Lecture 2015 on working internationally.

1. APM South East Branch
Alan Webb Memorial Lecture
21 July 2015
International Working
- A Few Pictures
Russel Jamieson RPP FAPM

2. Apologies from Miles Shepherd
 Unfortunately Miles has
damaged the tendons in
his arm and so is unable to
join us tonight to deliver his
lecture on ‘we always say
that every project is
different – if this is true,
how can we learn to
manage them and how can
lessons learned be
applied?’

3. A Quick Introduction – Russel (substitute)
 20+ years PM experience, primarily in
– Financial Services
– Telecommunications
 Head of APM Awards
 Chair, APM People Specific Interest Group (SIG)
 APM Wessex Branch Committee
 Registered Project Professional (RPP)
 Fellow of APM (FAPM)
 PRINCE2, MSP and AIM Practitioner
 Winning mentor for 2 years for Student PM Challenge
 Manchester United fan (suffered badly recently )
 AFC Bournemouth fan (smiling a lot recently )
 Appeared on Page 3 of The Sun
 Quoted in Sunday Times editorial…Interesting!
 Yes…I have project managed a failed project
 Twitter @RusselJamiesonrussel@russeljamieson.com

4. International Working – A Few Pictures
 1986 Christmas Eve
 Shock
 Delayed wedding
 Strained relationships (in-laws)
 Culture
 30,000+ queries backlog
 Empathy
 Steve Wright – Radio 1
 Understanding
 Acceptance
 Zero backlog – let’s party!

5. International Working – A Few Pictures
 Tax havens
 Different cultures yet so close
 Planning
 Stakeholder engagement
 Acceptance
 Enthusiasm
 Determination
 Results driven
 Inclusive

6. International Working – A Few Pictures
 Tax haven (and non tax haven)
 Planning
 Stakeholder management
 Different culture yet so close
 Less acceptance initially
 Less enthusiasm initially
 Not as inclusive initially
 Stakeholder engagement
 Love Manx kippers!
 HRH didn’t want BdC rate board!

7. International Working – A Few Pictures
 11 September 2001
 Not on my risk register – on yours?
 Shock
 Empathy
 Bonding
 Adaptability/workarounds
 Willingness/unwillingness to fly
 SPOC (Single Point of Contact)
 Matrix management/teams

8. International Working – A Few Pictures
 Not always overseas
 Empathy
 Culture
 Bonding
 Adaptability
 Enthusiasm
 Passion
 Skill levels
 Matrix management/teams

9. International Working – A Few Pictures
 Cultures vary
 Importance of clarity of comms
 What does ‘Yes’ actually mean?
 Time zones
 Permanent versus contract resource
 Skill levels
 Matrix management/teams

10. Passengers must
carry dogs on
escalators
Customer information
International Working – A Few Pictures

11. International Working – Quick Wins
• Email signatures and ‘Directory’ entries
• Full job title
• Office address
• Landline number
• Mobile number
• ‘Golden’ Hours
• Common times, if any, when employees across time zones are
available together
• Politely ask ALL teams to only take breaks when they fall outside
of the 'golden’ hours to maximise available time together

12. International Working – Quick Wins
• Always quote the same customers time zone e.g. UK – USA – AUSTRALIA…
• Email content
• DO provide full details of what you want and why
• DO provide business justification
• DO provide all references and key contact you have been speaking to
• DO ensure ‘subject’ reflects the contents e.g. Release AK–Story ABCDE–12345
• DO NOT rely on people figuring it out from a massive mail chain you have
forwarded
• DO NOT email if you can talk – remember - it’s good to talk!

13. International Working – Understand
 When ‘Yes’ could mean ‘Yes’, ‘No’
or even ‘Maybe’
 Ethnic Group
 Religion
 Language
 Handshake
 Presentation of Business Card
 Concept of Face
 What to do/not to do
 Names
 Official Titles
 Useful Phrases
 Useful Websites

14. Costs – Offshore versus Onshore
• Be involved from inception…not after procurement…easier said than done!
• Beware of the ‘bean-counters’!
• Beware of offshoring at the expense of lost ‘in-house’ expertise
• Make sure that ‘Day 1’ savings aren’t out-weighed by ‘Days 2, 3 & 4’ costs of
re-work
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎0 + 𝑎 𝑛 cos
𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝐿
+ 𝑏 𝑛 sin
𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝐿
∞
𝑛=1

15. Almost There – This is for Mark Jordan

16. And Almost Finally…
• People matter – wherever they are located!
• Things don’t always work out as planned but try and keep a smile
on your face…..and learn!
• I’ll get the ice-creams

17. And Finally…
 Ladies and Gentlemen let’s pause for just a few moments
specifically in memory of Alan Webb but also take the opportunity
to remember those close to each of us who have also been lost to
us in the past
Thank You