“YUKATA” Driven Communication

In my Retrospectionattending Agile2008

Yukie KushidaTranslated by YASUI Tsutomu aka "Yattom"

I’m…

• Yukie Kushida• From Japan• I’m going to sing a original song on banquet.

And…

Agile princess in Japan

I was in YUKATA at the Ice Breaker party on the first day.

voila!

So many people stopped by and had conversation with me.

Surely they couldn’t pass such beauty.

“Typical man!It’s common globally.”

Not only the beauty in myself,

but also the beautifulYUKATA,

must have got your attention.

YUKATA is well known as Japanese traditional outfit.

Almost anyone who knows Japan also knows YUKATA.

So it is a clear sign “It’s from different culture.”

YUKATA is the very medium;

it caught your attention and procured conversations.

You can quickly understand that I, wearing YUKATA, am from different culture.

And you’ll talk to me in slow, easy English.

Thank you for that!

Many really tried to speak easily so that I can understand.

In an effort to answer to your effort,

I wanted and tried to do my best.

YUKATA gave me the courage -

to use my awkward English to communicate with you.

I’ve met many fellows from many countries.

USA, Canada, Denmark, Korea, China, etc…

Engineers from so many countries met here,

shared knowledge, and received courage.

That’s the goal of this conference, may I presume.

Developers today shall work with developers in all over the world.

It’s not mere off-shoring,

It’s collaboration.

What is the collaboration for developers today?

They must not be forced to ignore differences.

They must be allowed to understand and accept the differences.

Although we need more conversations for that goal,

many don’t have enough courage to do so…

because of different languages and lack of knowledge.

Despair not!

Seek help in your identity, your culture, your symbol of nationality.

Let your outfit help you.

Japanese doesn’t speak English well.It’s a simple fact.

It is vital to have your mind set on communicating your intent.

And accept differences between you and the other.

You should even enjoy the differences!

There are many distinct cultures in Asia.

I had chances to talk with young engineers from these countries in Asia.

We Asian people have difficulties in collaborating with each other.

However, young engineers came from Asia to this conference must have, I believe,

understanding and attitude to collaborate over different cultures.

So I believe also -

that one day we will have…

Agile Conferencein Asia

Thank you for listening.