This talk was supposed to be given at Global Diversity CFP Day 2020 in San Francisco but got canceled due to COVID-19.

1. Being a Tech
Speaker with
Global MindSet
Global Diversity CFP Day 2020
San Francisco, California Canceled due to
COVID

2. @girlie_mac
Hello, I am Tomomi 👋
● Developer advocate at Slack Microsoft
● Software engineer
● Tech Speaker
● Tech Writer
● Doodler
● Advisor for a programming bootcamp
● Cat lady of The InterWeb
changed since when I
supposed to give this talk!

4. @girlie_mac
Tech WorlSummit
Stockholm, Swedn
DevRel Summit Singapore
Singapore, SIngapore
NodeFest Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
ForwardJS
San Francisco,
USA
Voxxed Athens
Athens, Greece Modern Web
Taiwan Taipei,
Taiwan
JS Kongress
Munich, Germany
Nordic.JS
Stockholm,Swede
n
NodePDX
Portland, USA
CRAFT Conf
Budapest, Hungary
RenderConf
Oxford, UK
✈
And more...

5. @girlie_mac
Being a Local Speaker
“The next speaker is Tomomi from Slack [a local
company]!”
🎤

6. @girlie_mac
Being a Global Speaker
“The next speaker is Tomomi from America!”
🎤

9. @girlie_mac
“We are not in Kansas anymore!”
A Phrase referencing The Wizard of Oz, used to
express the realization that you are no longer in a
place that one knows or where one is comfortable;
to be in a completely unfamiliar and/or
discomfiting environment.

10. @girlie_mac
Global Mindset Checklist: Pop Culture
Don’t be US-centric! American pop culture is not always
global pop culture:
● Do people know the movie quote? If the answer is
“probably yes”, adding a graphical reference may be
helpful.
● Do people get your joke?

11. @girlie_mac
Global Mindset Checklist: Language
● Is English the first language of your audience?
● Do people understand your puns?

12. @girlie_mac
Global Mindset Checklist: Cultural Differences
● Are the graphics & design in your slides universally
acceptable / understandable? (e.g. red vs. green)
● Check the appropriate attire / dress code before
packing!
● Trying local cuisine is awesome, but your dietary
restriction/preference may not be an option. Ask
organizers first

13. Don’t get lost in
translation...

14. @girlie_mac
Japan Dev Community Fun Facts
📅 Dev conferences are often held on weekend
Not common for Engineers to take day off for a conference
🍣 Food is likely served in the end of an evening meetup
Hungry developers
📣 Auld Lang Syne means GTFO!

15. @girlie_mac
Everything Kawaii & Manga
📚 Kawaii swags & self-publishing manga
🐸 Anime costumes
👼 Personification & “Characters”
https://ameblo.jp/memasite/entry-10914407296.html

16. @girlie_mac
Everything Kawaii & Manga
I am doing Japan right 👍

17. @girlie_mac
However; Business Meetings in Japan
● Forget everything I just said in the previous 2 slides!
● Bowing is essential 🙇
● Business card exchange is a must

18. @girlie_mac
Being an International Speaker
In a nutshell

19. @girlie_mac
Dos & Don’ts
● Do research
● Do speak slowly & clearly in non-English speaking countries
● Do explain when you make some cultural/regional references
● Do use graphical references
● Do use metric system where appropriate (✖ 75F ✔24C)
● Do make cat jokes (== universal jokes)
Pretty much everywhere
outside of the US

20. @girlie_mac
Dos & Don’ts
● Don’t hesitate to say something nice in their language
● Don’t assume everybody is familiar with US culture &
politics
● Well, avoid talking politics, actually
● Don’t be a jerk (no matter where you are!)

21. Thank you!
Tomomi Imura (@girlie_mac)