22 Tips for Healthier Offshore Manufacturing Relationships
Setting Up an Offshore Partnership
14. Obtain references from trusted sources.
15. Understand the cultural differences in the country where your work is being done. This includes knowing which holidays are celebrated when. Also, strive to understand the culture’s motivation. An example, says Butenschoen, is that Asian cultures typically have a strong sense of honor and family. They will aim to please you and will respond positively to appreciation. She adds that her experiences in India have shown that many factories may strive harder to meet schedule and quality needs when direct representation is available on behalf of the customer. “Putting a face with a name makes a far bigger impact in most cultures than in Western culture,” says Butenschoen.
Matt Steinmetz is the publisher and brand director of Publishing Executive.