Here's how you can foster strong relationships with stakeholders from different countries.

Cultural harmony is not just a phrase but a reality that is intrinsic within the societal values and people. Working in different projects and parts of the globalised world, one thing I have learnt is to acknowledge the value of time management. A rather common cultural harmony that brings everyone together is the respect for opinions and letting them flow positively. Debating about pros and cons is not the real solution to cultural harmony, but listening and presenting your views in a positive aspect is what matters. Just go for it and do not hesitate to be expressive, people are 99% of the time going to only learn from your culture only.

Understand Cultures ⭐ Cultural Awareness: Learn about the cultural norms, values, and business practices of your stakeholders’ countries. ⭐ Respect Traditions: Show respect for local traditions and customs in your interactions. ⭐ Adapt Communication: Adapt your communication style to align with cultural preferences.

Throughout the several decades when I have been involved in business development involving international stakeholders I have experienced first-hand the importance of strong communications to build trust, which is itself fundamental for success. The various parties must hold common ground, with shared values, even if they have cultural differences.

Build Trust ⭐ Consistency: Be consistent in your actions and communications to build reliability. ⭐ Transparency: Maintain transparency in your dealings to foster trust and credibility. ⭐ Follow Through: Follow through on commitments and promises to reinforce trustworthiness.

Through my strong involvement in international professional environments I have often observed that, as a key to success, there is no room for ambiguity so communication must be managed very attentively. Assumptions can be made wrongly, details may need to be checked, exchanges may be misinterpreted, costly misunderstandings may arise… this may be time-consuming and even tedious but strong communications will offer an excellent foundation for strong international business relationships.

Communicate Clearly ⭐ Clarity: Ensure your messages are clear and free from jargon that might be confusing. ⭐ Active Listening: Practice active listening to understand stakeholders' concerns and perspectives. ⭐ Feedback: Encourage and be open to feedback to improve mutual understanding.

Embrace Flexibility ⭐ Adaptability: Be willing to adapt your approach based on the needs and preferences of your stakeholders. ⭐ Time Management: Manage time zones effectively to schedule meetings at convenient times for all parties. ⭐ Negotiation: Be flexible in negotiations, finding solutions that accommodate different viewpoints.

One thing I have found helpful is learning the technology and making yourself familiar with the modern tools. A person coming from South Asia and Middle east might find it very difficult as well as easier than it gets, just make sure you subscribe to those tech newsletters, try out those apps, do not hesitate to utilise the free technology on the market

Leverage Technology ⭐ Communication Tools: Use communication tools like video conferencing, messaging apps, and collaborative platforms to stay connected. ⭐ Project Management: Implement project management software to keep track of tasks and deadlines across different time zones. ⭐ Training: Provide training on technology use to ensure all stakeholders are comfortable with the tools.

Diversity is essential. I feel much more comfortable not representing any ethnicity but being a part of the diverse groups. The best learning is from different types of people at the same table, rather than same people on different tables.

Celebrate Diversity ⭐ Inclusive Practices: Implement inclusive practices that recognize and celebrate diversity within the stakeholder group. ⭐ Cultural Events: Acknowledge and celebrate cultural events and holidays of your stakeholders. ⭐ Diverse Perspectives: Encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives to enrich discussions and decision-making.

Here's what else to consider ⭐ Global Mindset: Develop a global mindset to understand and respect different viewpoints and practices. ⭐ Continuous Improvement: Regularly seek feedback and continuously improve your relationship-building strategies. ⭐ Local Expertise: Leverage local expertise and knowledge to better understand and engage with stakeholders in different regions.