Working within different countries and cultures, holds no barriers when it comes to shaping someone else’s vision.
Working with architects, developers or basically those with a product to sell, we are all the same. We create products and services intended to stir a reaction in someone else that will hopefully get them to act ie. be persuaded through to making that commitment to buy.
When there is an appreciation of the project and the wider environment that it sits within, the only thing that separates us is water.
Lets look at the role of international CGI relationships working.
A recent project has been with Philip James Dodd Bespoke Residential Design, based in Connecticut, USA and their latest development in Palm Beach.
Phillip Dodd arrived in the US from the UK in 1996 on a one-year internship with a leading classical architect in New York. Over 20 years later, this is now firmly home. His practice specialises in designing classical and traditional high-end homes in Manhattan, Greenwich and Palm Beach. Phillip is also the author of The Art of Classical Details and An Ideal Collaboration. He is currently working on a new book on the Architecture of the Gilded Age in New York.
Shouldn’t Keeping It Local Always Suffice?
When relationships can grow overseas, they help set a precedent.
However, isn’t it always easier to find a local supplier? We asked Phillip why he decided to make that choice with a company over 3,000 miles away.
Perhaps the simplest advice is the best advice. Phillip continues, “I sent all the relevant information to Chris via Dropbox and then we communicated via email and phone conversations.” One thing to recognise is that we all have the tools, integrating your business internationally is already in place.
In the words of journalist and writer John Pomfret, “Working overseas is more difficult in that it’s much more complicated to get people to open their hearts to you and to tell you information.” This is true, the more we get to understand each other, the simpler the whole process becomes.
If there was one part of the project we wanted to ask Phillip, was centred on this whole element of risk. Whilst we can liaise via email and regular communication, a lot of this project was faceless. Trust becomes a huge tool when it comes to working on a project that everyone is happy with. With that in mind, was there a certain level of apprehension when working with a company overseas?
Building overseas working relationships naturally becomes attractive whilst the currency value of the pound stays low, despite Brexit having the greatest impact on investment and business activities in 2017 (according to KPMG).
For a project to be regarded as a success when working internationally, it is keeping simplicity at the core. From keeping the communication flow fluid, an understanding of the brief, empathy and the ability to interpret and deliver, does not matter where two people are in the world. When there is a shared enthusiasm, the end result is clear from the outset.