Keep in mind that Lao people are proud of their long and well-established traditions. You will likely have to work hard to convince them that you have something to offer. Quite commonly, they will ask you for advice on how they can improve their management or organisation, for example. This may be a courtesy designed to bring you face as the foreign advisor. They may not expect you to take their request seriously. Indeed, they might be offended if you suggest improvements immediately. Keep in mind that they just might regard you as a threat or nuisance, in much the same way Western consultants are sometimes regarded when reviewing organisations in their own country