International Secondments
Opportunities, Common Challenges and
Recommendations
Warren Gurtman
Senior Director of International Secondments
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agenda
Introduction
Purpose of Secondments
Types of Secondments
Current developments and initiatives
Challenges and recommendations
Questions and answer forum
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Introduction
• This presentation will provide an update of the key legal issues and
business drivers involved when moving personnel across borders
within an International Secondment programme. The
implementation of the US Inbound Strategic Secondment Pilot
programme will be discussed, as will using Secondments to attract
and retain key talent. We will focus on the launch of both the ‘RSM
International Guidance and Process Document’ for International
Secondments and the ‘Global Opportunities at your Doorstep’
brochure.
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Purpose of Secondments
• Opportunity to attract and retain
• High performing talent
• Sharing of key personnel with locations in which there is a
significant amount of seasonal work
• Strategic Secondments – a longer opportunity designed to
enhance an individual’s professional development
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Types of Secondments
• Short Term Secondment
– Typically for a period of less than twelve months (i.e. busy
season, etc.);
– Generally a training programme to enhance a specialist’s skills,
complete a specific project or as a gesture of goodwill between
RSM member firms
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Types of Secondments continued
• Long Term Secondment
– These Secondments are for a period in excess of 12 months –
most commonly 18 months to three years;
– Long-term Secondments normally provide the most benefit to all
parties, as the increased length of time allows the secondee to
become more effective and efficient with their responsibilities;
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Types of Secondments continued
• There are typically a number of objectives associated with long-term
Secondments. These include:
– To enhance awareness of international services and the RSM international
organization;
– To create an interface for specific clients being serviced between two countries;
– To develop cross-referral activities;
– To develop and nurture bi-cultural personnel;
– To facilitate implementation of RSM policies and standards;
– To provide international opportunities to high performing staff;
– To provide international opportunities to obtain a competitive edge and;
– To increase retention of both entry level and experienced high performing staff.
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Types of Secondments continued
• Strategic Secondment
– This type of Secondment provides opportunities for individuals to work abroad
and share their specialized skills and experience with other RSM firms;
– This type of Secondment is viewed by the sending and receiving firms, as
well as RSM International, as providing an important benefit to all parties and
the international organization. The secondment may be partially funded by
RSM as a result, based on prior approval by the Executive Office;
– Strategic Secondments can be either long or short term, Inbound or
Outbound.
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Current developments and initiatives
• Guidance and Process for International Secondments
• Global opportunities at your doorstep
• RSM McGladrey Inbound Strategic Secondment Program
• RSM McGladrey Outbound Strategic Secondment
Program (to be developed)
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
Current Developments and Initiatives
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Challenges associated with secondments:
• Language
• Cost vs Benefit from both the receiving and sending firms
standpoint
• Timing – Approval Process
• Performance Evaluation
• Mentoring
• Re-entry
• Costs
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
Recommendations to facilitate a successful Secondment programme:
• Timely identification of needs
• Completion of a Secondment request form
• Agreement as to the terms of Secondment
– Length of Secondment
– Costs
• Identification of any potential immigration issues
• Approval of the Secondment well in advance of the
requested/desired start date by the appropriate Managing partners
in both the receiving and sending firms and the RSM Executive
Office
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007
International Secondments
• Open Discussions
• Questions & Answers
RSM International Conference, Singapore 2007