Team in Trouble: One word & two cultures = production problems
A team is missing its production deadlines, and a different cultural interpretation of the word “deadline” is the cause. Two experts offer solutions for fixing the problem.
The Problem:
Don is production manager in a printing company that produces books for major publishers. Five years ago, the company added binding to its services, and Don began staffing that department with workers from Mexico. Everything went smoothly until four months ago when Mauricio became supervisor of the binding team. One of the first Hispanic workers Don hired, Mauricio is bight and capable. But since his promotion, the binding group has missed three deadlines. Books had to be shipped at special rates and high costs! Each time Mauricio apologized and vowed to set more reasonable completion dates; but Don has noticed that during production meetings, Mauricio continues to promise tight deadlines. Mauricio is experienced. He knows the equipment and his men. Why does he promise deadlines he cannot deliver, and what should Don do to ensure he does?
