Global Project Management: How to effectively manage projects across borders

In today's interconnected world, the success of intercultural enterprises hinges upon effective communication and collaboration across international boundaries. However, a significant challenge arises when technically skilled managers ascend to positions of responsibility within these enterprises. While their technical prowess is unquestionable, many find themselves grappling with the complexities of intercultural dynamics and foreign language barriers.

This presentation aims to shed light on the common predicament faced by managers who have risen through the ranks due to their technical expertise. These professionals, now tasked with intercultural responsibilities, often lack the essential intercultural competence and foreign language skills required for successful global leadership. Drawing from real-world examples and insightful research, we delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon and offer actionable solutions. Our talk emphasizes the necessity of providing these managers with targeted cross-cultural training that aligns with their demanding schedules. We explore the implications of neglecting intercultural proficiency in the face of global business challenges and share proven strategies to bridge the intercultural gap to bring global projects to a successful completion.

Guest Speaker: Marianna Guedez Forgiarini

Marianna is an author and international project manager who is originally from Venezuela where she earned two bachelor’s degrees with a concentration in Languages and Literature receiving Valedictorian honors and Summa Cum Laude. After college, she moved to the United States and began translating for companies in Silicon Valley along with interpretation at conferences such as for the Governor of Oakland in 2017. In 2018, she published her first bilingual book, Desde El Exilio (From the Exile), a collection of poems of the Venezuelan people in poetic form that received international press. In 2022 she received a Masters in Translation and Localization at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Her corporate experience ranges from working in 500 Fortune Companies such as United Health Group, Apple, and Deluxe Entertainment. Currently, she works as a Global Project Manager at Verizon who is responsible for the entire Spanish voice of the brand in the United States representing hundreds of product lines.

PDU Value: 1.0 Power skills

Agenda

7:30 AM Meeting room open, networking

7:50 AM - Chapter announcments and introductions

8:00 - 9:00 AM - Virtual Presentation