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I just wanted to say *thanks* for the wealth of great information available at Manager Tools. Everything is down-to-Earth, practical and concrete yet motivating and inspiring!

My husband and I are pretty much addicted to the podcasts and we love discussing our sometimes diverging viewpoints on the techniques you guys present (he's French, I'm American; he works for a large multinational, I run a one-person freelance translation business!).

We have been listening for a few months now and *I* am almost caught up with the podcasts, but my husband is waaay behind (I listen at the gym -- hubby swims, so it's a little harder for him to catch up during his exercise routine...unless there's a waterproof iPod out there somewhere!).

The only (purely selfish) request I could make would be to include topics that are specific to freelance professionals or small businesses and perhaps topics on intercultural business situations.

Keep the podcasts coming, guys! I don't know what I am going to do when I get caught up :(

Sara Freitas-Maltaverne
Grenoble, France

Mark's picture
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Sara-

We never dreamed that there would be a dreaded "all caught up on back casts and only get them once a week" syndrome. Glad you're getting so much value out of them - for now! ;-)

We are working on our small business offerings, and hope to have some in the queue in 07. And, the cultural ones are coming up also.

Glad you're with us!

Mark

cwatine's picture
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[quote="smaltaverne"]Welove discussing our sometimes diverging viewpoints on the techniques you guys present (he's French, I'm American; he works for a large multinational, I run a one-person freelance translation business!).

We have been listening for a few months now and *I* am almost caught up with the podcasts, but my husband is waaay behind [/quote]

Hi Sara,

Hi from France !

I am not surprised you get diverging viewpoints on management techniques, with your French husband. It is true that there are major cultural differences between France and USA.

Bellow some examples of my own reflexions when listening to postcasts.

In fact, lots of French find it very difficult to believe there would be "management techniques" at all !
- [i]"Come on ! They want to explain us how to shake hands !!! Funny americans ! I have my way, this is me, I won't change it.[/i]"

They are also always very frightened by the fact that their manager would try to manipulate them or steal them from their liberty ...
[i]- "I am that way, you won't change me ... There are no rules against that. Please respect my liberty : you take me like I am, or you don't take me !"[/i]

They also sometimes find it ridiculous or too "unatural" to expecially meet to get feedback on behaviour.
[i]- "if you respect me, you have to respect my own behaviour".
- "what are we doing here, discussing ? I have some REAL work to do !"[/i]

I would be very interested in knowing on what kind of sujects you diverge with your husband.

Cedric.

Gareth's picture

[quote="smaltaverne"]
...unless there's a waterproof iPod out there somewhere!
[/quote]

Hi Sara,

Have a look at http://www.h2oaudio.com/

Mark's picture
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Cedric-

Those are classic. I respect everyone's right to be independent, including my firm's.

I am sure it makes me sound like a brusque American, but then again, I am American and at times I am brusque. ;-)

When one says, "this is me and I won't change", they say, "I'd like the world to pass me by, and I care more about me than I do about the company." They'll never be part of a great team.

Those who are unwilling to discuss how to do things better are, in my opinion, the biggest obstacle to growth in a firm.

Mark

cwatine's picture
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Hi Mark,

I 100% agree on your answer.

Each culture has its good and bad things. In my first job, I was working with sudsidiaries in Canada and USA. The great things with those guys were their enthousiasm to do well and progress and their total dedication to their company.

Well ... France is different : it is no big surprise to hear "I care more about me than I do about my company". So there is another way to say things.

But ... The principles you describe still apply !