The importance of understanding cultures

In this article I write about my current work with the Small IT firm.

One of the most challenging aspects of my job is writing and managing contracts. The importance of signing a contact varies among different cultures. In the United States and other developed countries, a contract is usually honored by all parties and it’s a means of protection for both the employee and the employer. A written contract means peace of mind for all involved and should be designed to prevent future conflicts, which in turn will affect job performance.
Depending on the differing cultures you are dealing with, so too will the negotiations leading to a written contract differ. Not every culture places the same emphasis on contracts and the terms and conditions of those contracts.
I began this job with a three month contract, which concluded a month ago; I started with a low salary on the promise that if I turn the firm around, I will take a part of the profit. The firm is now well positioned to make a profit and play a bigger role in the local market. It was time for me to re-negotiate a long term contract that stated my responsibilities and benefits in clear terms.

I have been trying for over two weeks to setup a meeting with the major stake holders within the firm, to begin contract negotiations. I wanted to clearly state my objectives and have a written assurance of my rights and obligations. As of writing this article, I haven’t received any positive response regardless of my repeated requests, and as a manager, and as a professional, the current status must be resolved, I must take the initiative to make a decision.
Before I discuss the decision I am contemplating, I must go over some cultural norms that are prevalent in Saudi Arabia. I want you to bare in mind, that I am sharing “my” experience and for others, their experience may have been completely different. This is not a general rule but should serve as a guideline when dealing with this culture.

1- Most decision making processes take a very long time, even with minor issues, and for someone like me who is used to thinking on his feet, this seems such a waste of time.

2- People here in general are very sensitive about criticism, even if it’s constructive criticism, and again for someone like me who likes to “tell it like it is”, this represents a dilemma.

3- In general, management gets very excited about new ideas and projects, only to find out that half way through the project that they lose interest, after so much time and effort being invested.

4- Time seems of little value here and the phrase “time is money” is not always applicable and what is not finished today can wait till tomorrow.

5- A signed contract is not always honored and the contract term could change at any time without prior notice.

My experience is meant to serve as a good starting point towards understanding the work culture and ethic in this region of the world. For many managers, including myself, working under these conditions is unacceptable and would be more than enough reason to say NO.