The Indian Yes
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This is not to pick on Indians or any other culture, however it does illustrate some of the problems with working across borders. The Indian "Yes" talks about the problems with the interpretation of "Yes" in IT. In the US if you say you can and/or will do something by saying "yes", then you mean it will get done. And you'll take responsibility for it.
In India, apparently (I'm assuming the article is accurate), then a "Yes" means that you'll make a good effort, but no promises. That's similar to a couple experiences I've had with Indian consulting firms. They do good work and make an effort, but if they don't follow through and get it done, they're not nearly as bothered or responsible as most US consultants I've worked with.
But that's my perspective and it took me awhile to understand theirs, meaning Indian firms I've worked with. They do good work, they do honest work and they don't fail more than my US colleagues. But they do not want to get into a disagreement or conflict and they tend to work to avoid getting into those situations. They have different connotations for the words they use, and if you are going to work with an Indian or other firm, you both need to understand what is meant by a discussion.
It's not really that different than some of the issues I saw the US face in the 80s when trying to do business in Japan. There are significant cultural differences that required both sides to learn about the other to be successful.
It's not just businesses doing work in other countries. Many of us work with people that have different perspectives on life and business, even if we're from the same country. I'm not trying to get too touchy-feely here and say we have to be politically correct, or anything like that, but we should try to understand each other. Especially when there's a problem.
As my wife tells me, a little communication goes a long way.
Steve Jones
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This is what happens when assumptions go terribly wrong. This editorial which is based on some assumption is no longer applicable for the simple reason - "inaccurate assumption".
I have had experiences with some US consultants which is better left unsaid. However that experience does not qualify for an editorial on "The US Yes".
I think these things should be taken as individual instances rather than brand it to a country.
THE IMAGE IN THE EDITORIAL DOES NOT HELP EITHER.
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It is very interesting to study other cultures as it can put our own into perspective. In an English derived culture (UK, USA and Australia for example)we tend to be more confrontational.
In some cultures (Vietnam for example) an agreement is taken in the spirit so if the Dollar slides they would allow for an adjustment in price rather than trying to take advantage.
Another interesting example is the concept of truth, it is never black and white, but in some cultures offering agreement is more about avoiding a confrontation that stating a point of view. In some cultures making a story interesting is much more important than making it truthful.
On the subject of promises to deliver - I find that a "I'll see if I can" is taken by clients as a firm commitment to deliver. Unless you specifically state that it is not possible they will get upset if it does not come to fruition.
It is never a case of one culture is wrong it is simply a matter of learning to understand other cultures and especially our own.
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Unfortunately communication is only half of the picture. The cultural bias to avoiding conflict predisposes that problems are picked up later rather than in a timely manner. If this wasn't important why bother with testing ? The entire profession has something to answer for producing 'accredited' professionals that are unsuited to the demands of an industry like IT.
Consider the method of thinking where a proposition is not critically assessed and its effect on development, testing or maintenance. I continue to be flabbergasted how recruiters can skip as fundamental skills as this.
Is there a problem here, do I need to do anything about it, what is the impact of not doing anything and who do I need to share the blame with. Culture aside any successful meme needs to be critical of itself.
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Hey Harish, where did the name Indian come from? Is it not more accurate to use the name Hindustani?
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Presumably the picture is of one of the american consultants.
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I agree that generally consultants in India do not want to get into a disagreement or conflict and they would say yes. I have come across numerous situations. In order for the consulting relationship to work well and to realize the benefits it is better to understand this culture otherwise it could lead to frustration.
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Steve - you do realize that the article was referring to Indians and not Native Americans, right?
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Stating that Americans need to understand the Indian culture would make sense if we were going there to consult. However, if those in India are selling their services in our culture they need to understand it and adapt. Why is is becoming a rule that America must change everything it stands for and it's traditions and values to accomodate every other culture of the world?
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I agree, America is the center of the known universe. As soon as the rest of the world adopts American culture and values the better.
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Yeah, what's up with the picture? When I saw it I thought the article was going to be about Native Americans, instead it was about Indians. I know in America we may have used the term Indian to refer to Native Americans for a long time, but you can't do that anymore since contact with legitimate Indians is so prevalent now.
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Yeah, maybe bad choice of picture. I knew it was India Indian, but didn't really see something I liked.
The idea wasn't to say the India is right or wrong in this. The whole point was that culturally we look at things differently and as we work together as cultures, we need to better understand what the other expects and use that to manage expectations.
As much as I love the US and am proud of what we've accomplished (for the most part), I do think that if we want to use services in other countries, we have to respect their cultures and understand they work differently. People I've worked with in other cultures, including India, are the same as every one else. Some do great work, some don't. Some finish what they start, some don't.
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Jeez, this sounds like the all-American contractor redoing my bathrooms. Certainly work across cultures and languages amplifies the possibilities for misunderstanding, but the problem of poor quality delivery is endemic and knows no borders.
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Some constructive criticism: I see this has been mentioned, but the picture is of a Native American, not of a South Asian Indian.
I don't think this is an issue of being overly politically correct or anything, it's just a journalistic point about identifying the correct image to match the article topic. You might have used a map of India or even a Taj Mahal image instead.
-webrunner
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A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html -
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