Challenges Faced by International Business Manager - Essay Example

Interviews Interview Bill Hricsina, International Business Manager – The Conair Group Kindly describe your responsibilities as an international business manager Besides being the international business manager for Conair Group, I am also the general manager for the company’s Latina Americas branches. I am responsible for managing the sales division of the company in the named regions. Additionally, I am also responsible for strategic integration in these branches, taking directives from the organization’s top management. My roles encompass more than supervising sales agents, as it involves the development of sales and marketing strategies that suit the locations in which our organization operates. This process being the case, I delegate some of my responsibilities, which are not core to the business. I have also been entrusted with the role of promoting cultural integration while managing a diverse workforce. Likewise, I am also responsible for all legal and business complications encountered by our branches in the various countries, which include Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Brazil and most Caribbean countries, where our penetration is still in progress. What are some of the key challenges that you have faced in performing your role as an international business manager for Conair? Managing international branches is not as simple as most people might assume (Devinney, Pedersen & Tihanyi, 2010). Especially in my case, where I have to deal with a variety of countries, challenges are inevitable. Primarily, the difference in culture between Canada and most Latina countries is the key challenge. While managing people in the United States and Canada, the cultures are almost similar and as such management in such region is relatively easier. I would argue that the biggest challenge is cultural differences in the Latina Branches while comparing the culture in our North American branches. Secondly, technology is also a key challenge. As opposed to our country, where technology penetration is wide, and most of our processes are automated, the technology know-how in most of the Latina countries is minimal. Integrating technology in some of our branches was not only challenging, but also expensive as it demanded that the staff undergo training in using the new technologies. In relation to managing sales, the marketing approaches used in our initial branches in the North Americas region were completely ineffective in the new region, which thus made it difficult for most of our Canadian employees working in the Latinas region. This challenge almost cost us our business in Argentina. However, we were able to overcome these challenges eventually, but that was one great struggle. What are some of the best and worst attributes of your job description? One of the best things about my job is traveling. Although most people hate excessive traveling, I find that I enjoy introducing our products and services in new countries or regions as I get to interact with people who hold different values from mine. The job has humbled me greatly and also introduced me to an array of cultures, allowing me to understand cultural relativism to a whole new level. Secondly, I love my job because every day is a learning moment. While dealing with different challenges from those I was used to while dealing with our North American branches, I have learned a lot about other countries and these new markets. Strategies that are highly effective in our home nation are ineffective in the Latinas, and strategies applicable to the latter are inadmissible in the North American branches. The challenges associated with the job were aggravating at first, but now that I have adapted to this difference, I see the challenges in a positive light. They were crucial learning moments. One of the negative attributes that make my job challenging and a little frustrating are the language barriers. Although I have learned a little Spanish, understanding what the line managers are saying is rather challenging. In countries such as Brazil, where Portuguese is widely spoken, I need to be accompanied by a translator. Being accompanied by a translator while interacting with managers and their subordinates, takes the fun out of my job. I love interacting with people directly so that I can understand them and analyze their performance as well. Using a third party in the process makes it impossible to analyze, interact and motivate most of the employees that I manage. Secondly, some legal restrictions and the political atmosphere in some countries can be frustrating. Bribes, for instance, are a major challenge and an unethical practice that one time or another our organization has had to engage in despite our opposition to such unethical practices. At times, I wish I was the president in some countries so that I would create a better business environment. Other than that, my job is great, and I am lucky to be where I currently am. What advice would you give to a person seeking and international management job? The first piece of advice I would give anyone in a position similar to mine is having an open-mind. Whatever one knew in the past about his native country is inapplicable in most nations. As such, it is good for one to have an open mind and an eagerness to learn. An open mind also facilitates easier flexibility. Another who is allergic to change ought to avoid such a job as change is the first task one is inclined with. This situation ranges from changing one’s perspective or changes within the organizations arising from one being appointed to manage such an organization. For instance, when I first came here, I was very aggressive and wanted everything to move as fast as it did in my former branch in New York. I had to readjust myself as it proved impossible to change the entire culture. Learning a new language might also come in handy while working in such an environment (Devinney, Pedersen & Tihanyi, 2010). It is going to save you a lot of time and minimize your chances of frustration on a daily basis. Personal Response The interview indicated that what people learn about business management in a foreign country is not sufficient for one to become a perfect manager. The respondent showed me that experience was very different from theoretical learning. Arguably, this interview also showed me how difficult it is for one to adjust himself or herself to a new business environment. Some of the aspects of a new culture cannot be integrated into an organization’s overall culture proving that at times, an organization has to bend its policies to fit in with the country. Prior to the interview, I assumed that one can impose the overall organizational culture in a new country holding extremely different cultural values. However, this interview has helped me understand some of the challenges that might prove to be overwhelming when doing business in a new country.   Interview 2: Reynaldo Barbella Neto, International business development manager, Alpargatas Inc. Describe some of your responsibilities as an international business development manager. One of my prime objectives is business development and management of business strategies. I am entrusted with the role of developing and implementing business plans within the Asia region. My business development scope covers several countries, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. I am also responsible for product margin analysis, pricing strategy, product mix, segmentation and sales forecast plan. I develop marketing campaigns for our brand in the 12 countries, developing elaborate communication plans and promotional campaigns. I also promote coordination in our multinational teams and building strong partnerships and relationships with customers, suppliers, and other key business stakeholders. What are some of the key challenges that you have faced in performing your role as an international business development manager for Alpargatas Inc.? One of the major challenges that one faces when dealing with many nations is diversity. Our multinational teams are comprised of local experts. Such teams are culturally diverse. I have to understand different cultures for my job to be easier. Learning and accepting a new culture is a very complicated process, or it was for me. Another major challenge is communication. Besides the countless language barriers, developing communication plans to suit all 12 nations is not an easy task. However, another area that is challenging is the marketing approaches. In most cases, I have had to deal with marketing executives within each country to assist in the development of cohesive marketing plans. However, most of these executives do not understand our culture or our strategic plans. As such, most of the initial marketing plans developed were not only ineffective but also very expensive for our organization. Such challenges have been a teaching moment for me. What are some of the best and worst attributes of your job description? The best thing about my job is that it allows me to learn new cultures and understand multiple business environments. Managing the business expansion plans for 12 countries can be very intellectually rewarding. I now understand political and economic forces that dictate the performance of businesses in such countries besides learning new cultures and diverse business environments. The job also allows me to have an upper hand in creating the overall business strategy for our organization. Although this does not necessarily make me indispensable, it secures my position in our organization. My job description has increased my chances of job security. I have also established some crucial networks for our organization making me a key asset to our organization. I also cannot complain about my compensation. However, some of the negative attributes of my job are the long working hours. Although most of my time is spent taking flights, I get so worn out at times that I feel like giving up. However, most of the positive attributes of my job are the motivational aspects that keep me going every day. Secondly, while managing 12 country operations, frustration is an inevitable consequence. Unlike the conventional business development process where one can supervise and control the outcome of a majority of operations, my absence in the implementation of any business plans leaves me devastated especially when business plans are poorly implemented or inadequately managed. What advice would you give to a person seeking and international management job? The first attribute that one needs to acquire if he or she does not possess it is patience. Getting outside one’s comfort zone can be very trying at times. It takes much patience to manage people with different objectives as compared to yours. Dealing with branch managers can also be very frustrating, so having a flexible system can do wonders for any given person in such a job. Additionally, reading widely is crucial. Reading should not only be limited to business-related books alone, but also reading about various historical and cultural values of a nation. Reading would be the best coping mechanism if I were asked. Personal Response Comparing some of the responses from the previous interview, one can tell that managing businesses in Asia are more complicated and a much harder job as compared to managing Latin American businesses. This interview also sheds light on the importance of reading widely, a recommendation that is rarely given by managers. As such, one can tell that Neto is a passionate manager. Reading has been advocated as possibly the best coping mechanism when working in a different country and work environment. This interview highlights some of the biggest challenges for the management of multinational teams, showing a different picture of what is taught in class. Although several approaches and strategies employed by the manager are taught in class, some of the recommendations given to extend beyond the realm of a class setting. I have come to understand some of the challenges associated with cultural diversity from a first-hand source. Reference Devinney, T. M., Pedersen, T., & Tihanyi, L. (2010). The past, present and future of international business & management. Bingley: Emerald. Read More