GGLOGLOBAL TALENT
GLOBAL TALENT
DEVELOPMENT IN A
MULTI-CULTURAL WORLD
Presented at the 7th Swiss GLOBALHR
Business Leader Conference in Geneva,
April 6th 2011
by:
Soren Olesen
Director, Client Strategy & Business
Development, Europe
solesen@aperianglobal.com
Aperian Global Overview
Aperian Global is a global consulting, training, and web tools firm, expert in
facilitating talent development and business transformation across borders.
We partner with our clients to:
o Enable leaders, managers, and employees to see and seize global opportunities
o Mobilize resources to successfully execute global strategy
o Create human integration solutions to cross-border challenges
o Synthesize and integrate global knowledge and lessons learned
o Leverage global talent
o Grow the capacity to innovate
o Equip people with skills, knowledge, and insights to succeed in globally diverse
environments
2
Practice Areas
Global Assignment Services
– Candidate Assessment
– Thriving in Country X
– Virtual Country Briefing
– Coaching
– Repatriation
Global Talent Development
– Global Leadership
– Global Teams
– Global Diversity & Inclusion
– Global Innovation
– Executive Coaching
•
Global Business Training
– Working Globally
– Working Effectively with
Country X
Global Business Transformation
– Global Joint Ventures
– Global Outsourcing/Offshoring
– Global Collaboration
– Global Projects
•
Web Tools
– e-Learning modules
– Assessment Tools
– GlobeSmart®
3
Aperian Global - Global Presence
Aperian Global Service Overview
“The single greatest cause of difficulties in global business
transactions is not a lack of technical expertise, hard work or good
intentions – it is a lack of ‘people skills’ for relating successfully
across style differences attributed to factors such as national culture,
organizational culture, job function, and personality.”
Ernest Gundling, PhD, author of Working GlobeSmart
The Faces of Globalization
Key growth
markets will
become more
global every
year.
Population Trends
Total Population by Region
1950, 1995, 2025, and 2050 (in millions) UN Medium Variant
The Largest Economies
Going Back to the Future
China has been the world’s
largest economy for 18 of
the past 20 centuries
From 1500 -1800 India’s
economy was second only
to China’s
Largest Cities in 1900
(in millions)
City, Country
1. London, United Kingdom
2. New York, United States
3. Paris, France
4. Berlin, Germany
5. Chicago, United States
6. Vienna, Austria
7. Tokyo, Japan
8. St. Petersburg, Russia
9. Manchester, United Kingdom
10. Philadelphia, United States
Population
6.5
4.2
3.3
2.7
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.4
Largest Cities in 2015
(predicted - in millions)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
City, Country
Tokyo, Japan
Mumbai, India
Lagos, Nigeria
Shanghai, China
Jakarta, Indonesia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Karachi, Pakistan
Beijing, China
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mexico City, Mexico
New York, United States
Calcutta, India
Population
28.7
27.4
24.4
23.4
21.2
20.8
20.6
19.4
19.0
18.8
17.6
17.6
The Next 11
Goldman Sachs predicted the following countries to
have the potential to join the world’s largest economies
along with the BRICs:
Bangladesh
Egypt
Indonesia
Iran
Mexico
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
South Korea
Turkey
Vietnam
Aperian Global Service Overview
Aperian Global Service Overview:
Thriving in a New Culture
• Training program designed to equip
short- or long-term international
assignees and their family members with
practical skills and resources
• Interactive session that focuses on the
specific needs of the participants
• Goes beyond the “do’s & don’ts” to
learn proven strategies that assist
participant to:




decode cultural differences
build trust with local nationals
communicate effectively
accomplish personal & professional
goals
• Led by facilitators with
international assignment
experience
• Face-to-face delivery predeparture or post-arrival,
anywhere in the world
• Integrates GlobeSmart®
• Available for spouses/
partners and kids /teens
Key Program Topics:
Thriving in a New Culture
Cultural
Foundations of
Your New Country
• Uncover the unwritten rules and explore the core themes
that influence behaviors in the new culture
• Learn how to increase effectiveness in business and social
situations in the new culture
Decoding Cultural
Behavior
• Explore the fundamentals of how culture shapes the way
we live and work
• Learn the key cultural dimensions in order to identify and
bridge cultural gaps
• Gain tools that will facilitate the reading of cultural behavior
Adapting to a New
Culture
• Review common transition challenges and how they may
apply to the adjustment process professionally and
personally
• Develop specific practical strategies to ease adjustment
Applying the
Lessons Learned
• Apply lessons learned to sample situations most likely to
arise in the new country
• Capture the key insights from this session that can be
referenced and utilized during the international assignment
Challenges of Working Globally
Language barriers
Understanding protocol
Virtual communication
(e-mail, teleconferences)
Motivating and creating
a sense of urgency
Achieving an effective
global-local balance
Time zones and distance
Building relationships
across cultural differences
Leading a virtual team
Resolving conflict
Problem solving and
decision making
Our Program Targets Key Global Challenges
Definition of Culture
Anything that is
visible or perceived
with the five senses
Customs
History
Regional
Viewpoints
Attitudes
Assumptions
Opinions
Values
Beliefs
Explicit
 Behavior
 Language
 Food
 Dress / Clothing
 Pace of life
 Architecture, Music,
Literature
 Gestures
 Activities
 Emotional display
Implicit
 Notions of time
 Rules about socializing
 Ideas of right/wrong
 Definition of family
 Importance of work
 Communication styles
 Leadership styles
 Handling problems
 Role of men/women
 Tolerance for change
Stereotypes and Generalizations
NEW INFORMATION
Most
Many
Always
Some
Never
Stereotypes
All
Generalizations
None
Typically
Generally
Either/Or
Fixed and oversimplified
opinions, images or judgments
Usually
General statements,
ideas or principles
Culture and Behavior:
Key Factors
Professional
Specialty
What
Else?
Corporate
Culture
Individual
Style
Level of
Experience
National
Culture
How to Use the
GlobeSmart® Dimension Profile
You
Your Colleague
YOUR GOAL!
Know the profile of you and your colleague in order
to leverage similarities and bridge gaps
• Dimensions are on a continuum
• There is no “right” or “wrong” style
• Profile result is not a predictor of success
Key Dimensions of Culture:
Independent  Interdependent
What is the role of the
individual?
Independent
•
•
•
Independent action is a strong
competency
Identity tied to individual traits
Individual decisions
Interdependent
•
•
•
Group harmony and
cooperation important
Identity tied to group affiliation
Group decisions (consensus
among family, team)
Independent (Me) or Interdependent
(We)?
“The squeaky wheel gets
the grease.”
“The nail that sticks up gets
hammered down.”
Key Dimensions of Culture:
Egalitarianism  Status
What is the relation
toward hierarchy?
Egalitarianism
Status
•
•
•
•
Equal to others in professional
settings
Work roles can be flexible, less
rules and protocols
OK to challenge the opinions of
people in power
•
•
Each role in hierarchy has its
own code of behavior
Status and position respected;
Titles important
Questioning opinions is seen
as lack of trust
Viewpoints on a Manager’s Role
“Is it important for a Manager to have the precise answers to most of
the questions that subordinates may raise about their work?”
60
Percent agree
50
40
30
20
10
So Sw
ut e d
h en
A
fr
ic
a
N
et
U
he S
rla A
D nd
en s
m
C ark
an
ad
a
A U
us K
t
G ral
e
i
Sw rm a
itz an
er y
l
B a nd
el
gi
um
B
ra
Fr zil
an
c
Ja e
Po pan
rt
ug
al
Ita
Sp ly
ai
n
0
Source: André Laurent, “The Cultural Diversity of Western Conceptions of Management,” International Studies of Management and Organization
Key Dimensions of Culture:
Risk  Restraint
What is the comfort
level with risk taking?
Risk
Restraint
• Demonstrate quick results
• Flexibility and speed valued
more than thoroughness
•
•
Spend time on research
before making change
Establish proper processes
and systems
Viewpoints: Looking Outward
Risk looking at
Restraint:
•
•
•
•
•
Boring
Lazy
Not confident
Analysis paralysis
Not action-oriented,
innovative, entrepreneurial
• Avoiding accountability
• Waiting for direction
Restraint
looking at Risk:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cowboys
Arrogant
Selfish
Dangerous
Scary
Not considering all issues,
people, relationships
• Irresponsible, immature
Key Dimensions of Culture:
Direct  Indirect
How is information
communicated?
Direct
•
•
•
•
Indirect
Concise, concrete, to the point
Not afraid to “say it like it is”
Difficulties confronted openly
OK to give and receive
“constructive” feedback
•
•
•
•
Great attention given to how
messages are expressed
Preserve harmony in group
Pay attention to saving face and
preserving personal dignity
Unwillingness to saying no
Webtool for Global Business Effectiveness
GlobeSmart is a resource for anyone who…
• Works on a global team
• Is on an international assignment
• Has global job responsibilities
• Works with employees from diverse cultural
backgrounds
• Communicates across time zones
• Works on outsourcing projects worldwide
GlobeSmart Features
Instant access to advice on how to do business with over 65 countries.
Over 50 topics available to research within each country.
Available to any user 24/7.
GlobeSmart Features
GlobeSmart
Assessment
Profile (GAP)
Take a quick survey
and learn your work
style profile.
Your profile will be
displayed on six key
dimensions that
significantly impact
business behavior.
GlobeSmart Features
Understanding Your Profile
• View video scenarios that illustrate the six cultural
dimensions.
• Use exercises to further your understanding.
GlobeSmart® Cultural Dimensions
Aspects of culture that represent a range of work
styles in a multicultural work environment
GlobeSmart Features
GAP
Invite colleagues or
select countries to
compare.
Select a combination of
profiles to view on the
chart. Each screen will
display up to 10 profiles.
Read advice on how to
bridge style gaps
between colleagues
and/or cultures.
GlobeSmart Features
•
Select a Focus Area
Brings together a list of appropriate topics related to your business
objectives
º i.e. Improving Teamwork, Managing Employees, Traveling & Getting
Around
GlobeSmart Mobile Application
•
The following features of GlobeSmart are available on your
mobile device:
Summary Key Points for all GlobeSmart Country Content pages
Summary Key Points for all GlobeSmart Global Advice content
On the iPhone, you will also see a link to our Global Business Spotlight podcast
page, so you can hear podcasts from some of Aperian’s thought leaders
To access GlobeSmart on your
mobile web browser, visit:
www.globesmart.com/mobile
Log in with the same information
you use to access GlobeSmart.
What – So What – Now What
A tool to help you identify the underlying
cultural issues, the impact and what to do next
What
So What
Now What
Cultural dimensions
impacting issue
Potential issues that
could arise
Strategies to minimize
the gap
What are the key
cultural differences that
may impact your
interactions?
What is the potential
impact of these
differences to you /
your job?
What strategies could
you apply to minimize
the cultural gap and
achieve better results?
General Advice for Working Globally
Be Aware
of Your Iceberg
Be aware that you may be
making judgments that
work in your culture;
Consider alternative
interpretations
Constantly
Seek Advice and Enhance
Knowledge
Talk to a “cultural bridge”, read,
use GlobeSmart
Develop
a Range of
Approaches
Identify ways to “style
switch” or use a “Third
Culture” Way