Although many consider globalization to be the buzzword of the last decades, economic historians would argue that globalization has a history that stretches back thousands of years. As brought up in a relevant Economist article, the trend of trade expansion is linked to specialization and is ‘nearly as old as civilization’. The process seems quite […]
Migration: Keep Away ‘Some’ and Attract ‘Others’?
Let’s speak about migration again… In the midst of the migration crisis and the multitude of articles about Europe’s tightening inflow of migrants (e.g. here), it is quite refreshing to also read about the other side, namely the competition for migrants. A recent FT article reminds us of the global talent gap and the global […]
To Sleep or Not to Sleep: That is the Question
When was the last time you encountered a colleague, a student or any other acquaintance of yours, who would answer the common ‘how are you?’ question with a sincere ‘I am doing great’, while looking rested and full of energy? Isn’t it getting more common to hear about ‘being too busy’, ‘a bit tired’ and […]
Autopilot Mode vs Cultural Intelligence
Have you ever experienced driving to your workplace and actually not remembering how you got there? I guess that might be a pretty common phenomenon, given that most of the time (experienced) drivers are planning for their day, having a conversation with someone, or engage in problem-solving while being on the road. Even without an […]
The Global World of a Local Facebook User
Who participates in globalization? Governments, which form alliances, open borders and support trade across countries? Multinational organizations, which open new subsidiaries abroad and employ people of different nationalities? Universities, which support international student exchange programs? Naturally, all of the above mentioned are active participants in the globalization process. Yet, the latest McKinsey publication highlights that […]
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index: Key Points from the Latest Report
On January 19, 2016 in Davos INSEAD launched its latest Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) report. As in previous years, the report focuses on the important topic of global talent competitiveness, highlighting the emergence of an unprecedented international landscape that redefines global mobility. Today we can speak about increased mobility across all facets of the […]
Cultural Differences: Are We Oversimplifying?
Globalism, crossing borders and interacting with people from other countries go hand in hand with cultural intelligence, that is, being aware of cultural differences, and being willing and able to adapt to them. With that notion in mind, I would dare to say that the majority of international companies take at least some initiatives towards […]
Global Mobility Trends of 2016: A Professional Insight
End of the year and beginning of the new year is a time of reflecting on the past 12 months, celebrating all the achievements and new beginnings. The world of global mobility is no different. For example, the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) recently hosted the Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards (EMMA Awards), which celebrated […]
Christmas: Expats NOT Going Home?
As Christmas is around the corner, there is no better topic than writing about expats and Christmas. Last year about the same time I reflected on the unexpected difficulties of going back home for Christmas. Holidays at home may sound like a great idea indeed, as one naturally expects the comfort and familiarity of one’s […]
Global Mobility Functions: From Administration to Strategy
The world of global mobility is rapidly changing and is continuously challenging. First of all, there is a continuous increase in the population of international assignees. According to the latest Brookfield Global Mobility Trends survey, 45% of respondents reported an increase in the number of assignees in 2014 compared to 2013, and 43% of respondents […]
Towards a Better Understanding of Global Professionals’ Adjustment
It is hard to argue with the claim that adjustment is one of the most prominent topics related to global mobility. Annual industry surveys, such as Cartus or Brookfield surveys, regularly point to a high prevalence of adjustment challenges. This is also reflected in the academic literature, where adjustment has been assumed a critical psychological […]
Diversity in Global Business: What to Pay Attention to?
Global businesses celebrate diversity. For example, Apple believes that diversity inspires innovation, American Airlines are convinced that diversity translates into business value, and Hilton Worldwide state that diversity is fundamental to their success. Indeed, as stated in one of my previous blog posts, research supports the benefits of diversity, showing its positive links to business […]
Frequent Business Travel: From Romance to Criticism to Realism?
How would you picture a business traveler? Would you have an image of a successful person in a smart casual business outfit, who is extremely efficient arranging work matters over the smartphone or an ultrathin laptop, while sipping a take-away coffee in an airport lounge? That would be the average picture you get from Google, […]
The Ageing Workforce: Experience Never Gets Old?
The other day I watched the movie Intern. It is a light and entertaining comedy, which also makes some good points. Specifically, the story features a 70-year-old widower Ben, played by Robert de Niro, who becomes a senior intern at an online fashion company run by young and ambitious Jules (played by Anne Hathaway). Although […]
How Should We Learn about Cultural Differences?
Integral to the global business landscape is intercultural contact and communication. As such, one of the basic requirements for people to successfully deal with this diverse landscape is cultural sensitivity, or cultural intelligence (CQ). Be it international student-trainees, temporary expatriates, permanent migrants, or local workers of a multinational company, we would want these people to […]
Are we Celebrating the Nomadic Elite too Much?
What is your perception of a traditional work career or a traditional worker? How would you describe it? Would you picture an employee with a nine-to-five working day, personal desk, structured career path, long-term employment, and conventional career progression? Would your perception involve such aspects as stability, routine, commitment, narrow expertise, and experience? Or do […]
