In 2022, teams from Germany and Denmark joined our group, significantly enriching our project, competency, and sales potential. Of course, this also brought challenges, as each of us has our own habits and expectations regarding how work in an IT project should be organized.
The Polish team is most often responsible for the technical side of the project, and less often for the design side. Building relationships with the client, especially in the early stages of the project, is the task of our colleagues from the client's country, who gradually involve the Polish team in communication. This structure significantly simplifies the building of business relationships and the subsequent independence of the production team.
However, this is not always the case, as depending on the client's needs, there may be teams of developers from different countries working together. Each of these configurations requires attention to building optimal team relationships.
We are, of course, aware that both international collaboration in the broad sense and expanding our teams to include two additional countries is not a walk in the park. Today, we want to share the opportunities and challenges we see in intercultural collaboration, paying special attention to the specifics of the countries we work with.
Of course, we can't avoid a certain level of generalization, so it's important to remember that despite having some cultural background, at the end of the day, we all possess individual traits that determine the success of work relationships.
How is Collaboration with Norwegians?
Still, the majority of our projects are Polish-Norwegian, so we dare to say that we know the most about collaborating with our colleagues from the North. Over the years, we have learned to recognize and accept our national differences.
One of the "flagship" characteristics of Norwegians is the high level of trust in collaboration. In professional relationships, they emphasize empathetic and inclusive communication and respect for employee autonomy. Forte team members often emphasize that when working on a project with Norwegians, it is clear that the client and the rest of the team place a great deal of trust in our expertise and are eager to implement the solutions we recommend.
This style of working fosters creativity and openness in proposing new ideas. Norwegians are also very quick to share positive feedback, which increases motivation and satisfaction with the collaboration.
Another important aspect is the strong orientation towards maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Flexible working hours, great understanding for employees' non-professional needs, and promoting a healthy lifestyle are standards that translate into satisfaction and productivity within teams. For Polish specialists, collaborating with Norwegians can be an incredibly inspiring experience, teaching how important it is to take care of one's health and well-being.
Another distinctive feature of collaboration with Norwegians is the high value placed on teamwork and the relatively flat hierarchy in relationships. It is not a star culture—every team member counts. Joint decisions are important, and everyone is given the space to share their opinions and ideas.
Forte Digital's office in Oslo.
How is Collaboration with Danes?
At first glance, one might think that working with Danes should be very similar to collaborating with Norwegians. And indeed, there are some similarities—just like with our northern colleagues, teamwork and building good relationships in a team where everyone has space to share opinions regardless of their position are valued.
Joining a Danish project guarantees that you will never be left alone with a challenge or problem. Most decisions are made as a team, ensuring that everyone feels they have an impact on what is happening in the project.
Another important trait is the clarity of communication. Danish colleagues make sure that everything is understood as intended during internal meetings and client interactions, ensuring that the whole team has the same set of information. This approach significantly reduces the risk of errors and delays that may arise from misinformation.
This is connected to another Danish characteristic—pragmatism. Danes are known for their extremely practical approach to problem-solving. Quickly identifying and addressing encountered difficulties allows for maintaining continuity in work and ensuring projects are completed on schedule.
In many aspects, on the "traits spectrum" among Forte's branches, Danes fall somewhere between the cultural traits of Norwegians and Germans. For instance, they tend to be more precise and constructive in giving feedback compared to the former.
How is Daily Work with Germans?
Collaboration with our western neighbors has been an important element in the development of many Polish industries for years, and the cultural closeness between Poland and Germany fosters mutual understanding. But did the addition of the German team to the Forte group come without surprises? It seems that the surprises were mainly in comparison to our habits when working with Norwegians. But let’s get to the point!
The German approach to project management is primarily characterized by its structural and methodical nature. At every stage of a project, there is a strong emphasis on detailed planning, which allows for precise definition of goals, tasks, and work schedules. It is also worth mentioning the meticulous approach to project documentation. This way of working ensures clarity and transparency for everyone involved in the project, which is key to its success.
Directness in communication is a feature that particularly stands out in our German projects. This means that there is no room for ambiguity during meetings. Discussions are focused on the core issues, allowing for quick and efficient decision-making. Additionally, German partners value clarity and precision when setting goals and deadlines.
Perhaps it won’t surprise anyone to hear that punctuality is a priority. Everyone respects each other’s time, which is why meetings start and end on time. This allows us to make the most of the available time, resulting in greater work efficiency and faster task completion. Respect for others' time is not only a matter of etiquette but also a sign of professionalism and responsibility, which creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect within the team.
Benefits of Intercultural Collaboration
In addition to the unique advantages Forte gains from collaborating with different countries where we have offices, there are also more universal benefits associated with working in an international environment. Here are a few of them:
Diversity of perspectives and approaches to problems leads to more innovative and creative solutions. By collaborating with teams from various countries, Polish specialists can draw inspiration from many sources, which helps in creating unique and groundbreaking products. Likewise, our colleagues from other countries can learn a lot from us. We believe that diverse thinking and creative approaches are crucial in the rapidly evolving IT industry.
Working with clients and teams from other countries provides valuable experience and insights into the specifics of those markets. This understanding helps better tailor products, services, and competencies to the needs of clients.
Intercultural collaboration develops communication, negotiation, and team management skills. These competencies are invaluable not only in a professional context but also in personal life. Not to mention the many opportunities for travel to other countries.
Challenges of International Collaboration
We won’t pretend that intercultural collaboration doesn’t come with challenges. These cannot be excluded even when working in more homogeneous teams. So, what should one pay attention to?
Language and Communication Barriers. Despite knowing English, cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in grasping the intentions of the other side, especially when participants have different levels of proficiency in English, which is not uncommon. Intercultural collaboration requires understanding and acceptance of different communication styles, such as Scandinavian subtlety in giving feedback or, on the other hand, German directness. It’s important for teams to be aware of these differences and strive to minimize them through clear and precise communication. Every person joining Forte as part of onboarding undergoes a dedicated training on cultural differences, focusing especially on the countries we work with daily.
Differences in Work Ethics. Every country has its specific approach, which can lead to misunderstandings in project management. For example, feedback given directly may sound overly critical to some nationalities. The key to success is understanding and accepting these differences and adapting in a way that promotes effective collaboration. Polish specialists, by learning about the work culture of their partners, can better adjust their approach and avoid potential conflicts, while expecting the same from their colleagues from other countries. Working with different cultures can also be a great opportunity for developing flexibility and adapting effectively in a dynamically changing work environment.
Summary
Intercultural collaboration, although full of challenges, offers far more benefits than risks. Polish specialists working with teams and clients from Norway, Denmark, and Germany can benefit from the diversity of experiences and perspectives, fostering innovation and creativity. This enables companies targeting international markets to better adapt their products to the needs of foreign audiences, gaining valuable experience and expanding their competencies. However, it is crucial to be aware of potential barriers and actively work to overcome them. With the involvement of each party, intercultural collaboration – although likely always a challenge – can also become a source of great satisfaction and professional success.
Collaboration with Norwegians, Danes, and Germans is not only an opportunity for professional growth but also a chance to learn and understand different work cultures. As a result, Polish specialists can not only develop their technical skills but also their soft skills, which adds value to their career prospects. Intercultural collaboration teaches tolerance, openness, and flexibility, which are invaluable in today’s globalized world.
