Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a land of incredible diversity, where over a thousand cultural groups coexist with their own languages, traditions and customs. This makes it a vibrant but complex nation to do business in.
PNG is heating up with the Prime Minister’s commitment to the big 5 Resource projects: Papua LNG Project, New Porgera Mine, Wafi-Golpu Mine, P’nyang LNG and Pasca LNG. The Papua LNG Project alone will have a transformative effect on the nation, expected to generate K75 billion (US$25 billion) over its estimated 15-year lifespan. Because of this, we’re seeing a great amount of interest bidding into these projects, and additional business interest outside of the resource industry. Consequently, we will shortly see a great number of international businesses looking to reap the benefits of the projected activity, and require on-hire services to set them up on the ground.
To succeed in PNG, it’s crucial to choose the right partners, especially when it comes to labour hire and on-hire services. This is step 1 in our 5-step Blueprint to bringing your offshore operations to PNG. Cultural alignment and community engagement are crucial factors success and sustainability of operations in the country. This article further explores the significance of cultural alignment and investment in PNG and how partnering with such agencies can be a game-changer for international businesses looking to expand into this dynamic market.
Cultural Diversity:
Understanding the intricacies of this diverse cultural landscape is no small feat. It’s not just about language barriers; it’s about respecting traditions and understanding local sentiments. This is where cultural alignment becomes paramount. While any local agency can offer some degree of cultural understanding, true cross-cultural competence requires a deeper commitment and appreciation of the local heritage.
International agencies with offices and directors on the ground in PNG are well-equipped to provide cross-cultural awareness and competency, making them ideal partners for businesses looking to establish a foothold in PNG. This is the organisational structure of Peopleconnexion, where our business crosses the Pacific, with our Head Office in Brisbane (AUS), our Gold Coast Office (AUS) who supports the local and expatriate recruitment in PNG, and our office on the ground in Port Moresby (PNG) with Director, Stephen Mead and Branch Manager, Gima Tavaperry who manages a team of local consultants across recruitment, on-hire, payroll and immigration.
The ‘Do Good’ Factor:
In today’s world, ‘do good’ businesses are making a significant impact, particularly in developing nations like PNG. These businesses don’t exist solely for profit but to leverage their resources and influence to address social challenges within the nation – to which there are many.
At Peopleconnexion, we pride ourselves in our IMPACT initiatives, and is something which drives our staff, client, candidate and community engagement. Giving back is one of our annual drivers throughout the Peopleconnexion entities: Peopleconnexion Recruitment Australia, Peopleconnexion PNG and Peopleconnexion Training.
We build pathways to level the playing field, so everyone can unleash their inner greatness – through literacy, education, mentoring and training. We know that the gift of reading releases a pathway for greatness, so we endeavour to open the world of literacy to children through books; career knowledge to young adults; and mentoring for upcoming professionals. Each year we aim to raise the mark of our impact, but this year’s commitment was to create 12,500 pathway opportunities which we have almost achieved, sitting at 11,150 from donated books to build libraries for children, to education upskilling and mentoring to upcoming professionals.
One way we are able to achieve these pathways is through the partnership of our clients, candidates, contractors and general community, who have the opportunity to share in our impact and leave legacies themselves. You can read more about our success in the community to date, here: https://www.peopleconnexion.com/about/
In a country as diverse and complex as PNG, choosing the right partner is essential for success. Cultural alignment and commitment to the region are not just buzzwords; they’re the keys to any organisation thriving in this dynamic market.
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