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How to navigate the Global Village: A insider’s guide

Join Suzanne Bertrand, CEO, on a personal journey through China, Tunisia, North Carolina, and New Zealand as she shares valuable lessons and insights on navigating different cultures and achieving success in the global village.

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How to navigate the Global Village: A insider’s guide

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  1. Presented by Suzanne Bertrand CEO How to navigate the Global Village:A insider’s guide

  2. Disclaimer: Do not take this presentation too seriously! • It is coloured by race, religion and gender… • To say nothing of the climate! • It is a personal story, a journey that enabled me to enjoy life in different culture, learn and grow into a better person.

  3. The start of it all: • A PhD in biology, at Laval University • Friends in international development, looking for help • An offer to head to China to lead a R&D development project • And taking on the offer!

  4. Wudu, Gansu province, China

  5. The project • Establishment of a research tree nursery in Longnan prefecture, Gansu province, PRC • A large facility • A small research lab, working on soil, plant nutrition, • A 3-hour flight and 12-hour drive from Beijing • The province still closed to foreigners, so lots of administrative hurdles

  6. The project, the odds , the outcomes, the learnings

  7. And what about it?

  8. Lessons? • Learn the history of where you are! • People are proud of their past, and will want to talk about it • Respect the traditions while moving forward • Learn the language! Or at least a few words… • Ni Haoma? • Find allies, look for alternatives to your plans, believe in the long term…Listen to body language! • What is your definition of success? • Building the relationship will take years…

  9. Change of scenery? • Another phone call, another continent • Tunisia, a R&D project with a very large tach transfer component • Establishment of six forest tree nurseries with lab facilities across the country

  10. Sun, beaches, tourism…and forestry.

  11. Forestry?

  12. Lessons? • Different challenges… • Islamic culture, a complete different set of rules! • Again language, history, customs… • Yahamdoula, la bess? • Who benefits, and at what level? • Image is very important, being seen as the winner in a deal is more important than the financial benefits • Be prepared to take your time • Enjoy your time!

  13. Then to North Caroline…… • A complete different culture! • The Bible belt… as different as China or Tunisia • Innovation country!

  14. And now New Zealand… It is also different! But you knew that!

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