In a recent Accenture study, cultural issues were listed as one of the main reasons for problems in offshore outsourcing deals and over half of National Outsourcing Association (NOA) members surveyed recently also said cultural differences are still an issue in offshore outsourcing deals.
Two factors that are rarely present in any domestic projects, but cannot be avoided when going offshore, are geographical distance and cultural differences.
Geographical distance might be a factor in terms of unfavorable time zone differences but today most of the offshore service providers ensure that their business hours are adjusted to ensure that you have several hours of overlap per day in common.
However the impact of cultural difference is something that should not be ignored when going offshore. Depending on the location you are offshore outsourcing to, cultural differences can vary from minor if you nearshore, for instance in Ireland or Eastern Europe to a real cultural clash if you offshore to low cost countries in Asia such as India or China.
So far India has been the most favored offshore outsourcing destination and continues to be a dominant player in this field. The Indian service providers have matured over the years in providing offshore outsourcing services and are able to manage cultural differences when working with clients across different geographies. However, one area that has so far not received significant focus is educating their clients on these cultural differences. Unless the clients understand these cultural differences, it is hard for them to understand and appreciate them. For example, if you are in a meeting with an Indian service provider, you will observe that the most senior person in the team from the service provider will lead the discussions and his sub-ordinates would only speak when his / her boss asks them to do so. In UK business culture sub-ordinates can interrupt a conversation at anytime if they have a valuable contribution, but if this etiquette was followed in India it would be considered disrespectful.
Another typical observation with Indians is that they are never comfortable saying “No”, especially if you are a client. For example, if you go to a store to buy a shirt and realize that the shop is about to close, you can still walk in (even after the till is closed) and the store will ensure that your needs are being served, even it means that they have to keep the store open for another 30 minutes. In IT project scenarios, project members will not mind compromising their family commitments just because they cannot or do not want to say “No” to their clients.
Most Indians are not comfortable giving bad news. They believe that they should give people good news and when it comes to giving the bad news, they are either very quiet or find alternative ways to communicate the bad news. This is an important aspect to understand as many clients get “surprises” about their project related issues at a very later stage and keep wondering why the issue wasn’t highlighted during the weekly review meeting.
So the key in offshore outsourcing is not just finding the right projects and the right people to deliver them, but building capability within your team to work with in a culturally diverse environment. Though this may sound very difficult, the solution is simple. Most client organization can successfully “bridge” the cultural gaps by implementing the following tips.
1. Training – Most of the offshore service providers have special “western cultural orientation” programmes for their team members working on offshore projects. These training programmes help them to understand the culture of a specific country including business culture. On similar lines it is important for client organizations to build a training programme for their own staff to educate them on the culture of the offshore destination. This can be achieved by
Identifying an internal team member who has experience with both the cultures. For example an organization may have a person of Indian origin who has spent considerable time in India and then moved to your country. Usually a person who has worked in India for a couple of years and then relocated to your country (and spent about 5 to 6 years there) would be the most ideal candidate. This person would be able to educate your team on the cultural differences and can act as a lead trainer.
Seek the services of an offshore advisory specialist. Offshore advisors have vast experience in working with different cultures and have a culturally diverse team who can impart the relevant training to your team members. Most of these offshore advisors understand the cultural differences at different stages of outsourcing and hence are an ideal choice for such training programs
Request that your service providers carry out training programs specifically tailored for your teams. This could also prove useful to a certain extent and has its own limitations based on the vendor’s experience of doing business in that particular geography. Also ideally the cultural training should be carried out prior to engaging with a vendor so that from day one of the interactions, your team is able to leverage their knowledge regarding the business culture of the vendor organization.
Since the business culture of each company is different, it is important for you to educate the service providers about your company’s culture – the attitudes, thought patterns and behavior norms. Many companies ignore this aspect, but this is an opportunity to improve the productivity and experience of their onshore-offshore teams.
2. Visiting the Offshore location – This is very helpful and provides your team members an opportunity to experience what the offshore location is like and how people communicate, behave, work, socialize, etc. However, it is not possible for an organization to send all their team members to the offshore location as it would be an expensive proposition. But sending different people (wherever possible) each time there is a requirement for someone to travel would prove useful. Also ensure that people who have visited the offshore location share their experiences with their colleagues and are made a part of the training programme to make most use of their experience.
3. Organizing Cultural Events – As mentioned above, most of the offshore service providers have training programs for their staff. Also, most of the offshore service providers today celebrate events such as Valentine’s Day, Independence Day (US), Halloween Day, Christmas, etc to educate their teams. On similar lines, clients can organize events (with the help of the offshore advisors, vendors) that are important in the offshore location. This will give the client team a learning opportunity.
4. Movies as a training guide – English movies are seen across the globe and as result, many people worldwide educate themselves, besides entertainment, from these movies. Companies can also adopt a similar learning approach by encouraging their people, who are involved with the offshore projects, to watch local movies / documentaries (with English Subtitles) from the offshore locations.
The tips mentioned above is not an exhaustive “To do” list to bridge the cultural gaps, however it is a guide to help your team members understand and enable them to appreciate the cultural differences that they would come across while working on a day to day basis with the offshore teams.
To summarize, offshore projects have special aspects that managers must be familiar with, such as cultural diversity. The long-held belief that technical qualifications are sufficient to ensure project success has proved to be wrong from everyday on-the-ground experience of global multicultural teams in the offshore outsourcing environment. To ensure the success of the offshore project a multi-skilled, collaborative approach to bridge the cultural gaps is very useful. By learning from others experience, bridging the cultural gap at an early stage can help you avoid the cost in terms of cross-cultural communication blunders, project delays, team conflicts and overall productivity.
Ireland is a gorgeous country known from its rugged beauty, dreamy landscaped and rich culture and folklore background. There is no escaping from a colourful past and a sense of history seeps though every old building. When rambling through the Irish countryside you will encounter ruins, cottages and even the remains of ancient castles and churches.
The best way to get to know Ireland and its beauty is by mixing in with the local population. Every Irish village has a traditional pub where you can drink, eat for little money and often you can enjoy some great live music here. There are many self-catering cottages available for rent in Ireland. All over the area you can stay in this traditional type of Irish housing and many cottages are historic buildings and have a rich past.
You can pick from over 30 locations if you want to stay in an Irish cottage and most cottages are built in locations where you will have some neighbors in cottages built as part of the same cluster. You can choose a cottage with a wholesome breakfast included or you can decide to cater for yourself. Make the most of the local fresh [produce markets and enjoy a home cooked meal with a view on the meadows of Ireland.
Ireland has many activities to offer. You can watch dolphins, try waterskiing and there are even some great diving spots. You probably won’t want to leave your comfortable pub seat but if you do there is plenty to see and do in this wonderful country. The Irish people are known for their friendliness and it is not a rare thing to be invited to a pub feast or a home barbeque. You will be treated to strong beers and great music. What are you waiting for? Ireland will make you feel right at home.
As an art lover, you probably spend important amounts of time trying to find new paintings that you can add to your collection. Ireland art pieces have become extremely popular, being easily ordered online and falling into the category of unique artwork. There are many people who come from Irish ancestors and this is one of the main reasons why they are so interested in Celtic art. For them, a painting is a beautiful way to bring Irish culture into their lives.
If you have Irish origins as well, you can always consider Ireland art and the beautiful oil paintings presented online. These one-of-a-kind pieces of art will look really great in the family living room and everyone who sees them will be impressed with their spectacular quality. Celtic art paintings are also in high demand by those who are planning on offering a special gift, being truly appreciated and admired.
Surprisingly, many people who have visited Ireland have taken an interest in Ireland art and decided to order their very own painting. A lot of couples sent photos they took themselves while they were visiting and asked for a custom-made oil painting. Happy to satisfy their customer’s wishes, artists have transformed digital photos into real and unique paintings, exceeding the expectations of those who have ordered them in the first place.
And if we are going to talk about custom paintings depicting Celtic art, you should know that the ordering process is simple and affordable. The Emerald Isle is one of the most desired holiday destinations and it’s no wonder that so many tourists decide to remember the places visited through a painting. They resort to dedicated and talented artists to create a custom oil painting for them, providing of course a photograph. There are certain cases where someone has kept pleasant memories of a particular location and just wants an oil painting as a memory. That beautiful scene can be created now by experienced artists and you will certainly be pleased with the end result.
Artists specializing in Ireland art can also create unique custom-made paintings for weddings, pets and even child portraits. You will find their work to be absolute spectacular and return real soon for another painting. If you have decided that you want a custom oil painting, you will have to go online and upload your photo, requesting a quote. The service requires a 20% payment in advance and upon completion, they will start painting your photo. Once the Celtic art piece is finished, it will be inspected for flaws and sent back if there are any problems. The moment the painting is approved and ready, you will receive a photo of your painting and soon after, have the painted delivered (after your confirmation).
If custom-made paintings are not your ideal of Ireland art, you can browse through the collection presented online. Howth Harbour, an old Viking settlement, is depicted in a beautiful manner just like the Slieve League, a sea cliff located on the coast of Donegal. There are many unique paintings online, including old churches such as the St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the Dunquin Pier, a true source of history. The ocean is also a big source of inspiration for gifted artists.
You might choose a painting that depicts a gold course or a solitary woman walking down the beach. Either way, you win as all these paintings are beautiful. They are genuine, hand-painted and the perfect addition to your already fine-looking home!
Among the most beautiful places in the world is Killarney, Ireland. Even the most experienced traveler will put Killarney on the list of most spectacular places on earth. Killarney offers the opportunity to experience the mystery, the magic, the history and the majesty of Ireland. If you are lucky enough to visit Ireland, you must make a point to visit the Killarney region.
There are a number of reasons you may want to center your visit to the Emerald Isle around your adventures in Killarney in County Kerry. Killarney has an old world charm that is appealing to every traveler. The memories of your visit will stay with you long after you have returned home.
Killarney is filled with a history unrivaled by many other great European towns. The history of nearby Ross Castle can be traced back to the 15th century. The cultural heritage of the region makes Killarney an intriguing place to visit. Killarney’s rich past and lore leaves you wanting to return for more.
The scenery in and around Killarney brings many visitors to the southwest Ireland each year. Although it is a busy town, it is still possible to get away from the crowds to enjoy the surrounding rural area. The gently rolling hills, the gardens, and the lakes contribute to the idyllic landscape. The panoramic views and vistas are breathtaking; photographic opportunities abound.
There are many places to visit and things to do in Killarney. You will definitely want to take time during your travels to see the Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farm. The home, built in the mid 19th century, makes for a glorious tour and the gardens are simply spectacular. The working farm will take you back in time to experience early twentieth century rural Irish life. You will see the beauty as well as the heartache that is so much a part of Ireland’s past.
Killarney is also filled with many legends that make Irish history so special. At Ross Castle you will see one of the last holdouts from Cromwell’s invasion centuries ago. The castle is situated on the banks of Lough Leane, one of the stunning lakes of Killarney National Park. Ross Castle is a typical Irish stronghold of the Middle Ages. It was built by one of the O’Donoghue Ross chieftains. It was surrounded by a fortified wall and circular towers. The castle contains 16th and 17th century furnishings. Its four floors include the great hall, the parlour and the bed chamber. The castle is nicely restored; you will enjoy the display room and a guided tour. During the busy summer months, you may have to wait a bit for your tour. But don’t worry; sitting outside by the lake shore gives you a nice break from your sight-seeing.
You may want to hire a boatride from Ross Castle to Innisfallen Island. The island is one mile from shore and has the remains of an abbey founded in about 600AD. Some visitors take a picnic and relax before resuming their travels.
After your visit to Ross Castle, you will want to explore more of Killarney National Park. The park provides you with a phenomenal experience of Irish nature. The rocky terrain of the mountains is dotted with wildflowers and waterfalls. You can take a horse-drawn carriage (called a jaunting car) ride with a friendly driver, a hike to Torc Waterfall, or a boat excursion on another of the Killarney Lakes.
If you like to golf or fish, you will be in heaven at nearby Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. When I took my children to Killarney, my son took a golf lesson and my daughter and I just enjoyed the scenery and a lunch. Any activity you choose in Killarney will leave you with a love of the splendor of the Irish countryside.
For a taste of the history of Ireland along with a new experience every day, there is simply no better place on Earth to visit than Killarney. Your memories from Killarney will last you a lifetime. A trip to Killarney is a chance to make your travel dreams come true.
Copyright 2008, Patricia McKinney-Lins. All rights reserved.
The Southwest of Ireland, Kerry, is a splendid place to have a vacation anytime of the year but then you do not want to do all the site seeing with your bear feet– to explore better the outstanding scenery of the place with less energy exerted: rent a car and enjoy the rest of your stay in Kerry. This county boasts two types of terrain. There is the mountainous region that is located in the southern part of Kerry and the plains that is found in the northern region. The coastal regions are littered with sandy bays and cliffs.
You don’t need to be a couple to enjoy and explore the hidden treasures that lies in the rivers, mountains, and beaches of Kerry.
It’s for everybody who loves doing the escapade with the riches of Irish communities. Whether it’s the beautiful lake around Killarney National Park, the marvelous surrounding of drive of Dingle and Ring of Kerry peninsulas, or the highest mountain of Ireland in Kerry which is Carraunoohill there is so much beauty to see here.
Travel around the marvelous sites that can only be seen on the countryside of Ireland and make your visit a lot easier with a car rental.
Grab the opportunity to explore the untouched beauty of Mayo, have a stroll along the seaside in Donegal, or go simple and visit the villages’ downtown.
In its capital, Dublin, Irish music is popularly introduced to the masses through pubs and venues. The culture of the nation will welcome you to a more modern and vigorous situations.
Leave the modernization era and be astonished with the remarkable castles, sites, and churches of the old times. Afterwards relax and hit the beaches or climb the mountain on a perfect sunny day.
The next time you want to tour around southwest of Ireland, rent a car and enjoy.
The only airport in Ireland where after boarding from your plane can transfer to a train station, the Kerry Airport is offering a better option of transformation: a car hire Kerry airport.
A 15 minute drive from Killarney and the Ring of Kelly peninsula, the airport stands at the heart of Kerry.
There are taxis, train, and other means of transportation outside the airport but then the most advisable is a car for hire.
Not only are they cheap, but you can choose the destination you wanted to go to such as the beautiful Killarney National Park and its breathtaking river and surrounding. So do not forget to take a good advantage of car for hire outside the airport the next time you visit Kerry.
If you want to have a vacation in Ireland, take a plane and flew of to 5 main international airports: Ireland West airport, Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport, Shannon Airport, and Cork Airport.
Tour around the majestic Donegal castle or the medieval Rock of Cashel building then take a nature trip and blast from the past in Aillwee Cave.
If money is your problem, do not fret any more because car for hire companies offer customers the chances to contact them online and do business for a low-cost. Now it is a lot easier and comfortable to sight-see scenery in Kerry, Ireland when you hire a car.
Having some Irish heritage somewhere along the family line I decided to fly over to Ireland as the flights were so cheap. I also got a great deal on car hire so picked up the keys from the desk and drove my saloon car, complete with family out into the beautiful countryside of Ireland.
The hire car was both comfortable and easy to drive and gave the perfect platform to view the glorious scenery. Being somewhat of an amateur historian I would get good use out of my hire car as I toured the many historical sites Ireland has to offer. Known as the land of saints and scholars it surely would make and entertaining and educational trip.
The largest county in Ireland; Cork would be where our tour would begin. Here a hire car would be an essential prerequisite for travel as much of the county is rural. The lush pastures were a sight to behold as the gentle hills rolled by serenely. Whilst in Cork I strongly advise visiting Blarney Castle, this partial ruin is awash with battlements and it is easy to imagine medieval times while walking around the grounds.
Kissing the famous Blarney Stone is not for the fainthearted as it requires hanging over the battlements upside down to access this historic symbol. Said to give the power of eloquence, or more colloquially the gift of the gab it may even improve your speaking skills. On driving away from the castle grounds in the hire car I could even feel its effects as I was suddenly an expert in the history of Ireland.
While driving the hire car we passed a field that had what I thought were rugby posts, how wrong I was. The game of hurling was being played and this gave an insight in the most fascinating of Gaelic sports. Resembling a mix between hockey and La Crosse the game looked mighty dangerous from where I was standing as the little ball was hurled around the pitch at breakneck speed. Fortunately I was not asked to join in.
The next port of call was Kinsale, a popular tourist destination I had worried that there would be a lack of parking for the hire car. I had need not of worried as we arrived at the town and found a lovely spot overlooking the quaint harbour. As we walked the narrow streets we found ourselves surrounded by colourful buildings showing the true eccentricity that Ireland has to offer.
Kinsale has long been established as the gourmet capital of Ireland, with some great restaurants providing some fine Irish cuisine and the sea food is to die for. Having left for the trip on somewhat of a wing and a prayer I had had nightmares of having to sleep in the hire car. Luckily there was an abundance of accommodation in the town and we were put up comfortably.
While we stayed in the town it was vital to sample some of the famed hospitality of Ireland. With the stout flowing freely I soon found myself singing with the locals and enjoying their company immensely. Thankfully I had put the wife down as a named driver when booking the hire car; as you may imagine, I was in no fit state to drive when we left early the next morning.
Our trip to Ireland was certainly made easier with the use of a hire car. Without one it is nearly impossible to do all you want to do in a short space of time. On reflection I feel we did not even scratch the surface of this magical isle. I recommend to anyone thinking of visiting Ireland to lengthen their stay, I think I will definitely be going back regularly to fully absorb all this enchanting culture has to offer.
