Interim CIO: Dr. Claus Michael Sattler
"What methods do you use to overcome cultural differences between IT teams at different companies?"
Holger Wetterich posted the following question on LinkedIn under my article “How an experienced interim CIO can help private equity companies integrate acquired companies”: “What methods do you use to overcome cultural differences between IT teams at different companies?”
My answer
I use the following methods to overcome cultural differences between IT teams in different companies:
Intercultural training
I organize regular training courses to promote intercultural sensitivity and awareness of cultural differences [source: 2] [source: 3].
Common working language
We define a standardized working language for communication between the teams in order to reduce misunderstandings[2].
Cultural bridge builders
I encourage employees to act as “cultural bridge builders” and help navigate cultural differences[1].
Virtual team building measures
I organize virtual cultural evenings and joint online projects to strengthen cohesion and promote mutual understanding[1].
Clear expectations and structures
I define clear expectations for the collaboration and communicate these consistently[3].
Promoting a culture of trust
I create an environment in which all team members feel comfortable expressing their opinions and giving constructive feedback[3].
Flexible working models
I implement flexible working hours to facilitate collaboration across different time zones[1].
Technological support
I use digital tools such as translation software and virtual whiteboards to overcome language barriers and promote visual collaboration[1][2].
Cultural calendar
I provide an internal calendar that lists important holidays and cultural events from different countries to promote mutual understanding[1].
Regular check-ins
I hold regular short meetings to ensure that all team members are on the same page and feel heard[1].
These methods help to establish inclusive and effective collaboration between IT teams from different corporate cultures.
Sources
- https://www.suissecapricorn.com/post/kulturelle-vielfalt-in-it-teams
- https://haiilo.com/de/blog/interkulturelle-kommunikation/
- https://www.lepaya.com/de/blog/leadership-and-communication-in-global-cross-cultural-teams
- https://melanieberger.eu/globale-teams-lokale-konflikte-kulturelle-differenzen-loesen/
- https://digitales-institut.de/erfolgreiche-interkulturelle-zusammenarbeit-tipps-und-best-practices/
- Image: ChatGPT
Dr. Claus Michael Sattler
