Having just returned from our annual family skiing trip I have been reminded of how important it is to conserve and restore your energy resources. A few consecutive, full days of skiing can easily sap your physical energy. But we all know that our mental energy is a finite resource as well. And sometimes it […]
Assignments FROM Developing Locations: Part 2
As promised in my previous post, today I would like to continue with the topic of challenges raised by assignments from developing locations. In my last entry, I discussed issues such as compensation, family concerns and cultural barriers. However, as indicated by the relevant survey from Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BGRS) this list of challenges […]
Assignments FROM Developing Locations: Latest Survey Results
Lately a lot is being said and written about the growing trend of sending international assignees to developing and emerging countries. In fact, emerging markets have remained a hot topic in the current year, and mobility specialists and relocation managers continue to point to the many challenges in developing destinations: Security issues, appropriateness of compensation packages, […]
Latin America: Is It Truly Welcoming Foreigners?
For the last three to four years, Latin America has been considered as one of the booming economies. Indeed, hardly any publication on emerging markets and future economic prospects goes by without mentioning the potential of Brazil, Mexico and several other countries. So does a recent article in The Economist, highlighting the changes in Latin […]
‘Englishnization’ of Global Corporations: Strategy is Needed
One of my previous articles touched on the topic of language challenges faced by an internationally mobile workforce and multinational corporations in today’s globalized world. And even though several different solutions for overcoming language barriers are proposed, introducing a single working language is probably the most widely used strategy. Moreover, such unifying business language usually […]
Returning Home after Living Abroad? Not as Easy as Expected!
Undoubtedly, expat life can be very exciting. The experiences and challenges of life abroad develop one as a person, teach new skills and enhance capabilities, create new meanings in life, and generally translate into valuable memories, which are worth remembering for many years ahead. Nowadays, the young generation gets involved with a globally mobile lifestyle […]
Trailing Spouses: In Need of Organizational Support
The topic of international assignments is rarely discussed without mentioning issues of the accompanying partners, or so-called trailing spouses. According to different industry surveys (e.g. Brookfield, 2012; Cartus, 2012) the adjustment problems and dissatisfaction of spouses/partners, as well as dual-career issues, top the lists of expatriation challenges, and quite often become reasons for refusing an […]
Global Workforce Mobility: The Latest Trends
The deployment of a global workforce is no longer merely a trend; it is a prevailing reality for companies of different sizes and in different locations. As the annual survey by Weichert Relocation Resources (WRRI) shows, 92% of companies surveyed perceive workforce mobility as critical and important for achieving their talent management objectives. Naturally, effective […]
Global Mobility: Facing the Ultimate Language Challenges?
The principle of free movement of people within Europe dates back to the creation of the European Union. The policies of the European Community strive to allow for seamlessly easy and efficient movement of people across borders, be it for holidays, studying or work. Indeed, going for a weekend trip to another EU member state […]
Expatriation and Creativity: Does Cultural Adaptation Make the Brain ‘Workout’?
Some time ago, under the ‘fact or fiction’ category of my blog, I posted the question whether living abroad makes one more creative. Comments from many readers showed general agreement with this notion, and research evidence presented later on supported it as well. Back then we looked at research by Maddux and colleagues (2009, 2010) […]
International Commuters: Understanding the Benefits and Challenges
In case your employer offers you a job in a foreign country subsidiary, but relocation is undesirable for several personal and family reasons, becoming an international commuter is a possible solution. Indeed, a recent report by ECA International on commuter assignments indicates that this practice is becoming more and more popular. So far, the most […]
Global Workforce Migration Outlook for 2013: Off to Even More Surprising Destinations?
‘UK to Botswana’, ‘Greece to Australia’, ‘Ireland to UAE’, and ‘Portugal to Mozambique’ – the four stories from the latest Guardian article illustrate European migrants fleeing the continuous recession. Indeed, ‘the great escape’ of Europeans from economic crisis, especially to emerging economies around the world, is expected to continue in 2013. While already quite pronounced […]
Flexible Global Mobility: Higher Satisfaction with No Additional Cost?
Increased globalization continuously pushes organizations to expand further into emerging markets, to operate across borders more effectively, and to create better results in more cost-saving, flexible and innovative ways. This explains the spreading popularity of virtual working arrangements (e.g. telecommuters, virtual cross-cultural teams) as well as rapid transformations in HR strategies, such as moving talent […]
Virtual Teams: From Merely Working Together to Truly Collaborating with One Another.
‘It’s like monopoly on a global scale, with people, factories, offices, and ideas, crisscrossing the world to get the job done in time and on budget’. In my opinion, this metaphor that a recent CNN article mentioned serves as a fitting description for today’s globally dispersed business environment, and as a great introduction for a […]
What Are the Implications of Being Compelled to Expatriate?
In today’s business environment, globality is a term referring to modernity, opportunities, prosperity, and is almost a necessity when speaking about market competitiveness. Hence, organizations and recruitment agencies alike are looking for globally minded people, and highly value and promote international experience. Moreover, sooner than later career paths that entail various international assignments will be […]
Being Global: What Global Leaders Have in Common?
Global leadership is not about acting global, but rather about being global. A research by Angel Cabrera and Gregory Unruh suggests that being global can be characterized by possessing three critical skill sets that today’s global leaders have in common: global mindset, global entrepreneurship, and global citizenship.
Relocating Children Abroad: The Myths and the Truths
When thinking about relocations and expatriates’ mobile lifestyle, it has been common to acknowledge related challenges such as cultural shock, adjustment to a new environment, foreign language difficulties, and the slow process of socialization in the host country. Mostly, such discussions concern relocating adults, and when it comes to expatriates’ children, the common assumption is […]
