A South American perspective at Hydro Group

There may be almost 5,000 miles separating Caracas and Aberdeen but for Venezuelan business executive Valentina Colon it’s been a journey worth making.  Since September 2006, she’s been working with Aberdeen-based Hydro Group under the SNI (Scottish Network International) scheme on a mutually beneficial placement.

The SNI scheme is managed by the British Council in Scotland, in partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI).  This trade development initiative is developing a unique global business network by recruiting high-calibre international postgraduate students from overseas (known as “associates”) to work with Scottish companies who are planning to penetrate new markets, or strengthen existing ones. 

Over a hundred young professionals have already been placed with Scottish companies since the scheme was set up 15 years ago and Hydro Group’s international involvement from the US to Asia Pacific and Europe made it an ideal choice to be a host company. 

Company benefits

Hydro Group has been operating since 1982 and now has a unique place in the global market, being the only designer and manufacturer of cables and connectors for use in subsea control systems to the oil and gas, renewables and defence industries. 

As Hydro Group is constantly targeting new markets, Managing Director, Doug Whyte, could immediately see the potential of the scheme for his company.  “We’d heard about the SNI scheme from other companies who’d had a successful experience so decided it would be a good idea to try it out for ourselves.  We particularly wanted to target the French market and in fact Valentina has already been active on that front as well as being instrumental in bringing in a couple of Spanish deals.”

An international perspective

But over and above the advantages of having a fluent linguist in the company, Doug Whyte is aware of the other benefits too.  “For a company like ours targeting so much business overseas, you can see one size doesn’t fit all.  Assessing the culture and dealing with the culture is 90% of trying to get the work but there are also other advantages in having a global perspective in the office. 

“I’ve worked all over the world so I’ve had direct experience of different business cultures.  If you want your staff to share in that perspective, you can either send them abroad – or you can bring in internationals to work alongside them back here, to help raise their awareness.”

Practical experience

For Valentina, her role in Business Development for Hydro Group has been extremely positive – indeed, all she had hoped for. “After graduating in languages and business in Caracas, a spell with an international company made me decide I wanted to do a Masters in International Business.  Through the British Council I found the perfect course at Stirling University and I just fell in love with Scotland!  So when I came back to Scotland and found out about SNI from a friend I was delighted to be introduced to Hydro Group.” 

Doug Whyte is in no doubt that on top of all her other attributes, Valentina’s “bubbly personality” is another major plus for her colleagues at Hydro Group.  “She’s very enthusiastic and was very interested in our company and what she could do for us.  It was such a big leap of faith for her to come over here, it showed real tenacity.”

And for Valentina being almost 5,000 miles away from home is no problem when she feels part of the “small family” at Hydro Group.  “I just love my job – it’s exactly what I was looking for.  Having done the academic side, I was really wanting to apply it in a practical way and I find the company’s international vision very welcoming”. 

Even Valentina’s mother who came to visit recently was made to feel at home – and if she ever gets homesick, the call of the regular Saturday night “rumba” at a local Aberdeen nightclub helps keep Valentina in touch with her Venezuelan roots!

If you are interested in recruiting an SNI associate, please contact Stuart Shorthouse, SNI Business Relationship Manager on 0131 524 5744 or at stuart.shorthouse@britishcouncil.org.  Alternatively, you can visit www.scottishni.org for more information.

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