Most people reading this magazine left their own country to build a life in Cyprus. I did the opposite. I grew up here, on an island scarred by war, and all I wanted was to travel the world and work internationally.

So, after finishing my military service, I set off to study at the University of East Anglia in the UK. Studying alongside students from so many different countries was an eye-opener, and very exciting.

After my studies, I joined EY in London, where I qualified as a Chartered Accountant. I then discovered the world of consulting, helping companies grow their revenue and cut their costs. During my time there, I worked with iconic companies such as energy giant BP, the insurance market of Lloyd’s of London, Mitsui- Sumitomo Insurance, Cadbury’s (for those with a sweet tooth!).

Missing the Mediterranean sun, I moved to Greece to work for PwC. As a Senior Manager, I ran the Corporate Transformation department, working on strategy and organisation projects for clients such as Athens International Airport and Titan Cement.

Even though I enjoyed my time in Greece, a good offer persuaded me to join a UK-based multinational tourism group as Group Strategy & Development Manager. Over a short period, the group expanded into Egypt, Spain, Portugal, Russia and the Caribbean, staff grew from 500 to more than 1,700, and its aviation subsidiary was eventually listed on the London Stock Exchange.

My next moves were entrepreneurial. With two Italian partners, I set up a small ice cream production company in Limassol, selling traditional ice cream through our own three gelaterias. Working with Paolo and Sergio was both fun on a personal level and valuable on a business level as they were very passionate and professional. The company was sold three years later. Ventures in tourism, autos and the internet followed, with varying degrees of success.

Finally, in 2011, I founded EXE.S Strategy Consultants, which helps companies implement strategies for growth and has kept me working across borders ever since, mainly in Cyprus, Greece and the MENA region.

Working internationally has been challenging but very rewarding. You meet people from many countries and continents, and you never stop learning from each other. Among the projects I remember best are taking a large US DIY chain into the UK market, acquiring a construction materials company in Serbia and setting up a tourism company in Russia.

The added difficulty of working internationally is outweighed by the experience you gain and the friendships you build over time. Along the way, I learned a few lessons that apply to anyone doing business in a country that isn’t their own, including these:

• Take time to study the country, the economy and the people. No two countries are the same, and neither are their people. In some countries, like Europe and the US, the pace of work is fast and professional. In some others, like countries in the MENA region, people are more laid back and require building trust before work commences.
• Put the important things in writing. Language can act as a barrier, so agree all important terms of engagement on paper. After each meeting, send a summary with action points so that everyone leaves on the same page. For example, during an online meeting, we agreed the project deliverables and the time table. A week later, we found out that the other party misinterpreted the deliverables and considered the time table flexible.
• Work with a local lawyer and accountant. Legal and tax matters can make or break a project, and what is perfectly normal in your own country may be illegal in another.
• Take time to understand the company and its culture. Do not expect people to behave in the same way as people back home.
• Respect people’s beliefs and values if you want yours to be respected.
• Bring something from home. A few local traditional products, as gifts for your hosts or colleagues overseas, always come in handy! I still remember the expression on the face of a customs officer at Heathrow airport when opening a box with sugar coated Geroskipou Delights, thinking I was smuggling drugs!
• Cyprus is located between three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. For a newcomer here, working with Cypriots takes some getting used to. The pace of business is slower than most European countries and building trust before doing business can be very important.Thirty-five years later, I am back on the island I couldn’t wait to leave, working alongside people who chose to make it their home. To all the other citizens of the world out there: work hard, have fun and enjoy the ride. The countries you work in will teach you more than any client ever pays you for.

George Charalambides is the founder of EXE.S Strategy Consultants (www.exesconsulting.com). The management team at EXE.S Strategy, has helped hundreds of companies grow in more than 90 sectors and 12 countries, including the UK, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.

Author: Din Kumar