Effective communication across borders

  • Online
  • 20.03.2024
  • 09:00 - 11:45

Workshop on business culture within the IT sector

Norwegian work culture is very different from the work culture in most other countries in terms of lack of hierarchy, independent work, trust, and self-accountability. Cross-cultural communication with Norwegians may be very challenging, because of the lack of clear task descriptions, specifications, expectations, mandate, follow-up and feedback.

Ukrainian work culture is rapidly changing towards more flat hierarchies. However, there are still big cultural differences between Norwegian and Ukrainian workplaces. Because Norwegians and Ukrainians have many similarities and common interests in their social lives, it is easy to assume that the workplace cultures are also very similar. This assumption is a mistake because it may lead to misunderstandings and frustration.

This practical workshop will convey what to expect in cross-cultural IT projects between Norway and Ukraine. It will help you understand what to expect and how to avoid misunderstandings. You will acquire knowledge about Norwegian and Ukrainian mindsets and work cultures that are difficult to find elsewhere and that may take years to build up on your own.

Date: March 20, 2024

Time: 09.00 (Oslo time)/10.00 (Kyiv time)

Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

To register please fill in the registration form (max 2 persons per company) or send an email to nataliya.sjovoll@nucc.no

NB: Deadline for the registration: March 18. 

Among speakers

Karin Ellis

Karin Ellis is the CEO of Ellis Culture and author of the books, Working with Norwegians', ‘Applying for jobs in Norway’ and 'Multicultural Workplaces'. She is an IT-engineer with  close ties to Ukraine since 2008. She was a Global Sourcing Manager for 3 years in a large IT company with 2 subsidiaries in Ukraine. She has travelled to Ukraine many times, to outsource IT services and conduct cross-cultural courses and seminars. In 2016, she attended summer school in Ukraine to learn about Ukrainian culture, history and language. Since April 2022, she has developed and conducted work-oriented courses for Ukrainian refugees in Norway. Karin is also the head of the Bergen department of NorseAid, a voluntary organisation collecting clothes, equipment and laptops in Norway which they deliver close to the border line. Last autumn, Karin participated in two of NorseAid’s trips to the border line in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid.

Dmytro Nalyvaiko,
Axon

Dmytro is Business Development Manager in the Ukrainian IT-company Axon.