Synergise

The Mongolian British Chamber of Commerce is an organisation that has helped foster a better relationship between business leaders, politicians and the civil society of both the UK and Mongolia. Despite the many meetings and events organised by the MBCC in the impressive Houses of Parliament in London it feels like they're almost missing a great opportunity for parties from both countries.

In order to benefit from investment into Mongolia businesses and investors need to focus on capacity, specifically the capacity of the people. Outsourcing management from abroad enables projects to get off the ground faster but it is not a sustainable model for the long term if the project limits the scope for improving local capacity that would eventually increase the skills and social capital of Mongolia.
From my past experience of working, albeit for a short time, in an international organisation based in UB I failed to see an objective that focuses on the improvement of skills for local staff with the direct aim of promotion. If UK businesses expect and plan for continued growth of their projects it may be more productive to consider different approaches.

One approach could be putting more effort into sourcing potential management level staff who are Mongolian but possess skills and education that align with the expectations of investors and employees from the UK and beyond. This can then become a stepping stone to engage with locally employed staff to increase their capacity. Issues of cultural differences, foreign relations and conflicting interest and expectations all become resolvable. Events such as the Mongolia Development Forum is a breeding ground of young and educated Mongolians that contribute within highly specialised and skilled fields, who are ready to return home and work extremely hard (although English language website will help immensely). And yet I get the impression that the MBCC is a little dismissive of such events where there is a clear opportunity for companies, businesses and investors to meet Mongolians, exchange information and contacts, and possibly miss out on the potential to make their efforts of fostering relationships between our two nations really take off. At least it would make more interesting turnouts at both events!

Investors too tend to prefer to employ staff within projects that they can see eye to eye with, someone who wouldn't run away with the money! And in all fairness I have also witnessed things taking a bad turn for foreign businesses and investors with locals. But reaping the fruits of international investment in both countries is possible with the synergising of events like these two and unlock the potentially powerful and healthy approach to management. There are plenty of individuals, including myself, that are looking for exciting opportunities and may well in turn ensure long term stability for a UK investor, which is something that cannot be guaranteed by policies or the government of a developing country. I only have to take a look at the department managers and junior staff of any international company to see the the gaping hole that can be filled with improved strategic partnerships (used here in a non business or political term-merely for its literal meaning). A similar gap between these organisations in the UK is noticeable and I wish to see more direct efforts being made to close that too.