外籍员工在重庆卡堤那：重庆是改变我人生的地方

□ 文/本刊记者 李静

外籍员工在重庆卡堤那：重庆是改变我人生的地方

□ 文/本刊记者 李静

随着重庆对外开放的脚步越来越快，越来越多的世界500强企业落户重庆，伴随他们来到重庆的，还有越来越多的优秀外籍技术人员。从异国他乡来到重庆，重庆在他们的眼里是怎样的一座城市，每天生活在这里有怎样的感触？本期,长安福特马自达汽车公司动力传动项目组主管——来自美国的卡堤那，向我们讲述了他在重庆工作和生活的故事。

在中美文化差异中找到平衡点

今年是卡堤那来重庆工作的第五个年头。回想自己刚来时的情景，他仍有几分感慨。2010年9月，因为工作关系，卡堤那来到重庆，为公司的一个新成立不久的部门组建团队，“那个时候我们的人员只有40名，现在已经发展到了140名。”卡堤那笑着告诉记者，组建这个部门让他很有成就感，看到这个团队从成立到发展至今的变化，能感觉到自己身上的一种责任，同时也是对自己在中国工作的一个肯定和证明。

虽然是中外合资企业，但是对于卡堤那来说，工作上似乎并没有太大的语言障碍，员工能说一些英文，必要的时候有翻译人员进行进一步沟通，但管理文化上仍然有很大不同。对于这一点，卡堤那表示深有感触。在公司工作时，他发现，中国人在工作上如果遇到问题，喜欢从下至上一层一层往上纵向报告，而美国人喜欢在有问题时多个部门同时进行沟通，更注重横向交流。对于这样的差异，卡堤那刚开始很不适应，后来通过慢慢地观察他们的工作方式和程序，同时与自己的同事进行交谈，他开始了解中国的文化，也开始理解这样的行为和企业文化。“文化差异肯定是有的，重要的是你要从中找到平衡点，才能互相合作。”卡堤那说到。

在了解了两国的文化差异以后，卡堤那渐渐摸索出了与员工相处的方式，工作上如果和员工出现意见分歧，他都会主动寻求解决办法，向下属提供多种解决办法，而不是直接告诉他们应该怎样做。“现在这个部门有7名外国员工，中外员工之间都相处得非常愉快。”卡堤那说。

作为一名经验丰富的外籍管理人员，对于重庆汽车市场，卡堤那认为，目前较发达的中国东部地区，其市场日渐饱和；而西部地区正在蓬勃地发展中，其对于汽车的需求量更大。“如今的汽车行业竞争巨大，本地汽车品牌要得到长远发展，也需要注入来自国外企业的新鲜血液和动力，扬长避短，相辅相成，发展才能更迅速。我们试图将好的技术带入中国，带入重庆本土汽车行业，让他们在了解全球经验的基础上，根据本地市场的特征，与相关政策相互适应融合，取得成功。”卡堤那信心十足。

感受重庆文化，不一样的人生体验

五年时间，除了见证自己的工作团队地不断壮大，卡堤那也见证了重庆的发展变化。从最初对这座城市一无所知，到现在，看到这里的树木一天天增多，绿树成荫，越来越多的高楼拔地而起。生活在重庆，每天都是新气象。尤其是现在，越来越多的外资企业来到重庆投资，让他感觉在中国工作不仅新鲜，更是充满机遇。

当初被派到这里工作，卡堤那也将自己的家庭一块带到重庆，“我觉得孩子可以在这里学习中文，有一个很好的语言环境。刚开始她们会不适应这里的生活，语言不通，没有朋友，所以会感觉孤独。但是经过半年左右的磨合，她们渐渐适应了这里的生活，我的太太也在孩子所在的国际学校作义工。”卡堤那表示，家人的理解是对他工作的最大地支持，这让他十分感动。

采访期间，卡堤那也与我们分享了他在重庆生活遭遇的文化差异。刚来重庆，也许是这里的人们不经常见到外国小孩，陌生人、朋友看到他的孩子很可爱，总喜欢伸手摸摸孩子的头，或者伸出手想抱他的孩子，刚开始他们不太习惯这样的方式，因为在美国，这是有点不礼貌的。后来，他们才知道这是中国人表示友好的一种方式而已，中国的家长看到可爱的小孩都喜欢去摸摸头或者抱抱。“文化就是需要相互理解，后来我女儿也渐渐习惯了这样的示好方式。”卡堤那笑着说。

在重庆，卡堤那游览了大足、武隆，感受了地道的重庆文化。闲暇时间，他喜欢打高尔夫、跑步，有时间还会参加马拉松比赛。不过，让他觉得遗憾的是，以前跑步的地方现在已经变成了车道，只有寻找另外的跑步线路了。在谈到对重庆的建议，卡堤那表示，如今交通越来越拥挤，轻轨的确缓解了大家的出行压力；但重庆的国际学校的确偏少，希望相关部门能多多改善这方面的情况，这样会吸引更多的外籍技术管理人员来到重庆，并长居此地的。

除了户外活动，让卡堤那最留恋的，便是这里的美食。麻婆豆腐、豌杂面、火锅都是他的最爱。“对我来说，夏天吃火锅、喝冰啤酒是一大乐事。”他还喜欢散步，欣赏重庆的景色。卡提那认为，重庆是一座拥挤的城市，却又非常多元化，在这里可以看到不同的风土人情，除此以外，还可以看到当一个老外在路边吃小面时，街边行人们惊奇的目光。卡堤那会时常把在重庆的生活点滴放上网站，分享给家人和朋友，向他们传递关于重庆的信息。事实上，这样的方法也非常有效，他的许多美国朋友在看到他的分享以后，都对重庆充满了兴趣，有的来这里观光，而有的是来这里工作。

在卡堤那看来，一段经历可以改变人的一生，不论是工作上、还是生活上。明年便要离开重庆，卡堤那很幸运自己能来到这里工作、交流，学习中国传统文化。他坦言，在重庆的日子让自己对生活有了想要探索的欲望，以前在美国工作都是家里、公司两点一线，忙忙碌碌，从来没想过要看看自己生活的城市是怎么样的，而这次回国后，他希望可以发掘城市的多样性，去旅游、去探索，去体验不一样的生活。

The fast paced development of Chongqing is attracting many of the world’s top 500 enterprises to invest in Chongqing and joint ventures have become a global trend. With that growth, an increasing number of qualified foreign technicians and managers are moving to Chongqing to start a new life experience. What are their impressions of Chongqing? How do they feel living in a city like this? Mr. Dana Katinas, Director of the Power Train Department of Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Company shared his story of working and living in Chongqing.

Finding a BaIance between the CuIturaI Differences of China and America

Mr. Katinas first came to work in Chongqing in September, 2010, nearly five years ago, to manage a newly established team. “There were only 40 employees in my team, but now it has grown to 140,” he said with a smile. Although it is a joint venture, there does not seem to be much of a language barrier to Mr. Katinas, as his staff can all speak English. They also have translators available when necessary. But, it is the culture of management that is quite different and evokes strong feeling from him. He noticed if people at work have problems, they will vertically report from the bottom to the top, while workers in America prefer to communicate horizontally among multiple departments. Although he was uncomfortable at first, after gradually observing the working methods and procedures and talking with colleagues, he came to understand the Chinese culture and began to understand their behavior and the corporate culture. “There is definitely a cultural difference, butwhat is more important is to find a balance to work with each other,” says Mr. Katinas.

As an experienced foreign manager, Mr. Katinas believes there is more potential in the Chongqing automotive market. Now that the eastern China market has been saturated, the Western region is being vigorously developed, creating a greater demand for automobiles. “Today’s competitive automobile market is huge. Local auto brands need to inject fresh blood and power from foreign companies to have long term growth and cooperate with each other to develop more quickly. We’re trying to introduce modern technology into the local auto industry in Chongqing, to help them achieve greater success. This depends on their understanding of both our global experience and the characteristics of the local market. Hopefully, there can be a mutual adaptation and an integration of relevant policies,” Mr. Katrinas said confidently.

Experiencing Chongqing CuIture and the LifestyIe Differences

During his five years here, Mr. Katinas has not only witnessed the growth and expansion of his team, but has also seen the rapid development of Chongqing. Observing more trees being transplanted and more buildings springing up, every day brings a new look to Chongqing, especially now that more and more foreign enterprises are coming to Chongqing to invest. This makes him feel it is not only a new China, but a country full of opportunity.

Mr. Katinas also brought his entire family to Chongqing after being assigned to work here. “Although it was difficult in the beginning, they got used to the life here after a few months of adjusting. Now my wife works at our kids’ international school as a volunteer.”His family’s understanding is a great support for his work, which Mr. Katinas deeply appreciates.

Mr. Katinas has visited Wulong and Dazu to feel the authentic culture of Chongqing. In his spare time he enjoys golf, jogging, even sometimes running a marathon. However, he feels it is a pity the path where he used to run has become a roadway. When asked about suggestions for improvement of the city, Mr. Katinas said that the light rail has really relieved a lot of the auto traffic congestion for everyone, as roads become more and more crowded. But, he hopes the relevant departments can encourage the building of more international schools in Chongqing, which will attract more foreign technical workers and managers to Chongqing, who could then stay here for longer periods and bring their families.

Besides enjoying outdoor activities, Mr. Katinas likes the local food. Mapo tofu, spicy noodles and hot pot are his favorites. “As for me, drinking a cold beer while eating hot pot in the summer, is the greatest experience.” He also likes to go for a walk and take in the scenery of Chongqing. He believes that Chongqing is a crowded city, but very diverse, where you can experience many different customs. He enjoys noticing the surprise of the local people when they see a foreigner eating noodles on the street. Sometimes Mr. Katinas shares his Chongqing experiences with friends and family in the USA, passing along information about the city. After seeing his photos, some of his friends from the United States have come here to visit, while some have come here to work.

Mr. Katinas believes such experiences can be life-changing. Although he will leave Chongqing next year, he feels very fortunate to have worked and lived here and to have learned about traditional Chinese culture. He admitted that these days in Chongqing have inspired him to want to explore more after he returns to America. He used to be too busy to enjoy a city in which he worked. Now he wants to take the time to explore the diversity of different cities, to travel and experience diverse cultures and people.

Working in Chongqing, A Life-Changing Experience A Foreign Manager of Changan Ford Mazda

□ Written by Li J ing