As International Business Manager at the IET, James Howe is a member of the organisation’s UK-based international operations team and works closely with his colleagues overseas.
A key part of his role is to support the regional offices in China and India, where his colleagues are working hard to grow the business.
He’s also involved in business development, and is currently looking to develop new markets for the IET in the Middle East.
“My role is to bring together leading engineers and technologists from around the world to help solve societal challenges”
“Because we’re a small team, the role requires me to have a real breadth of skills. I cover everything from strategy, financial planning, performance and operational management through to relationship building and problem solving,” he says.
“I do see myself as a kind of international ‘jack-of-all-trades’, which is both challenging and highly rewarding. Within the team I’m the ‘guy that gets things done’, gets things over the line. Delivery is a real focus for me.”
A flexible approach to working
Working internationally, for example, means you have to think flexibly about your schedule and planning tasks.
“A lot of stuff will come through to me overnight, as India and China are ahead of the UK. This means when I switch on my computer in the morning, its already towards the end of the day in those countries. You have to be flexible in how (and sometimes when) you work in order to support your colleagues fully.
“Anytime you set up a meeting you have to juggle time zones – I think I have a lot of them imprinted in my brain. Also, don’t forget when the clocks change,” he laughs.
“But I’m more than happy to work around these time differences – I’ve had 6.30am meetings sitting in my pyjamas before just so I can speak to my colleagues. A lot of the time it’s about being organised, simply making sure that before you switch your computer off at the end of the day you’ve sent everything you can across to the overseas teams so they’re ready to go when they arrive at their desks.”
A unique set of challenges – and rewards
Working internationally does come with its own unique set of challenges, but it’s equally rewarding when things come together.
For example, working to deliver a big event overseas once led to a compliance challenge for James and his team, when an unexpected change to the country’s law was passed.
Different cultures can also have different mindsets and views for you to consider, which in some circumstances may require you to change how you approach a task.
“Trying to do business internationally is incredibly challenging and frustrating. You’re working across different time zones, cultures, business practices and economic conditions. You have to be able to adapt and work around these challenges, but when you do it’s hugely rewarding.
“This is the part of the job that really gets me out of bed - I love getting to travel overseas, meeting different people with different perspectives,” he continues. “I really enjoy getting out and about, meeting new people, building relationships and signing MoUs.”
Making a difference
Also rewarding for James is the feeling of making a difference.
For example, the international team are focused on improving the quality competence of engineers around the world through professional development and professional registration.
The IET’s strategy is built around societal challenges like sustainability and climate change, and his team is also trying to tap into the knowledge and skills that exist internationally to help contribute to solving these.
“Engineering is a global workplace, and for us to solve these challenges we need different perspectives and expertise from around the world. Our work is about trying to bring together the best minds to come together to solve these societal challenges,” he explains.
“A lot of the papers the IET publishes are from overseas, particularly from China for example, and in India we’re doing a lot of work around thought leadership, bringing together the best people from industry, academia and the government to discuss the big topics.
“I love the variety of my work and I’ve also had the opportunity to meet some very influential people. Engineering and technology is fast moving and it’s amazing to meet the people doing this fantastic stuff. These are the people solving problems and ultimately changing the way the world works.
“You can feel the energy, feel things moving and changing, and being a part of that is really exciting,” he concludes.
