Synapsys Blog - Getting it done in Abu Dhabi

Getting it done in Abu Dhabi

One of the benefits of working internationally on similar projects is that you get to understand how people in different places do things differently. A team of five landed at Abu Dhabi four days ago and we've quickly become immersed in the local culture.

What we've found, nearly immediately and manifested everywhere we look, is that Abu Dhabi is a place that Gets Stuff Done. The people here are the type who Make Things Happen.

And you'd have to be pragmatic, if you want to effectively manage a GDP of 599 billion dirhams (roughly NZ$240 billion) with a skeleton crew. Abu Dhabi produces that GDP, more than twice that of New Zealand, with a population less than half the size of ours.

So how do they do it? Well, the obvious, and cynical, answer is oil. Sure, it's easy to make a bunch of money when you've got more than 92 gigabarrels of black gold in the ground. But that doesn't explain the effectiveness of the Emirate at implementing other large-scale projects: an NZ$40 billion island development, a Formula 1 motor racing circuit, or thousands of acres of land creation.

It's a given that after a mere four days we are by no means experts on this area. Not even close. Our early observations all speak to one thing, though: these people are doers. They decide quickly, and implement well. The oil money underpins their capacity to do this, but the culture and character of the people driving the activity is consistently and extraordinarily proactive.

This approach generates a measure of relief: we don't need to debate endlessly, strategise indefinitely, and collaborate eternally. We are becoming forced by our environment to produce at the same frenetic pace as our hosts, and speed has its advantages.

We've got lots of little culture shocks as well: Google in Arabic (when you click on the search box your cursor right-aligns), sand instead of dirt rising through cracks in the sidewalk, calls to prayer ringing throughout the day.

We'll continue to post as the project progresses, but the theme for today is this: you can get a lot done—by doing it.