We have recently come to a point where many declaim the end of globalization as we have known it. Yet, amid this anti-globalization rhetoric, global businesses are clearly taking a different stance, arguing that more, not less, globally proficient talent is needed. A recent AXA World of Work Report, which surveyed 250 firms in eight […]
When We Need More Cooperation, We Should Look for More Hope
Any working relationship, be it romantic, friendship- or business-related, implies mutual trust, doesn’t it? Indeed, any successful cooperation requires trust as well. Usually, the more we know people, the more we trust them, which is probably why cooperating with familiar people is easier than with strangers. Consider the prisoner’s dilemma, one of the most famous […]
When Global Businesses Can Provide Global Hope
Last week I wrote about global warming and the importance of acting upon it. I also mentioned the U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, who throughout his campaign denied the issue and planned to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on a global climate deal. While Trump seems to be slightly pivoting on the matter, much […]
Living in a Terrorized World
Two years ago I wrote about expatriation and terrorism, arguing that global mobility professionals pay increasingly more attention to terror-related issues. Unfortunately in light of the recent ‘wave of terrorism’, be it the Nice attack in France, the Ansbach bombing in Germany, or the Orlando nightclub shooting (quite honestly, you name it), the case of […]
Towards More Gender-Inclusive Mobility!
Diversity is a cornerstone in today’s globalized world. In the current global political arena, diversity seems to be a source of social unrest and heated debate. Yet, in the global business world there is a solid consensus on the benefits of and need for diversity. Both practitioners and researchers seem to agree that cultural, racial, […]
Globalization Attacked as Never Before
This week the Euro 2016 semi-finals and the final will be played and many football fans will be living through the decisive moments of the European football tournament, which will culminate on Sunday 10 of July. Yet, even amid all the football buzz, another decisive moment for Europe could not remain unnoticed. UK voted FOR […]
Global Hazards and Global Business
McKinsey’s recent survey on globalization reveals that geopolitical instability has become a critical influence on global business. Indeed, the number of executives who attribute high importance to the factor of geopolitical instability has doubled in two years. According to the survey data, geopolitical risks are today as important for companies as other previously impactful factors, […]
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 […]
The Persistent Gender Gap: Some New Insights
Approximately six months ago in my blog post about gender inequality I concluded that ‘the global business world continues to be too slow at closing the gender gap’. Naturally, within these six months, nothing drastically has changed. Taking stock at where we currently are in terms of gender equality, McKinsey professionals reaffirm that the progress […]
The Migrant Crisis: A Moral Responsibility Only?
The global migrant crisis continues to unfold, and today we can certainly speak about a historic crisis, and the worst refugee crisis since World War II. As the number of political and economic refugees increases, so does the tension between countries and the opposition between those who welcome them and those who don’t. The migrant […]
Multicultural Marketing: When Globalization Requires Even More Cultural Sensitivity
I believe that globalization is a term familiar to pretty much everyone; yet, the way people understand globalization may be quite different. On one hand, many believe that globalization is making the world smaller in a sense that local differences are replaced by global similarities. Indeed, it takes one just to travel around a bit […]
Spinning the Globe and Picking a Spot?
The latest Mercer quality of life survey shows an updated global city ranking and suggests the best places for relocation. Yet, for global business, the destinations with new opportunities rarely sound familiar.
Gender Diversity in the Workplace: A Global Matter with No Progress?
Gender inequality is one of the global topics that is continuously spoken about, be it in terms of inequalities in the attainment of health, survival and education in developing countries, or differences in economic opportunities in the developed world. Naturally, gender diversity is a hot topic also for global business, where females are consistently underrepresented […]
What Can Global Teams Learn from the FIFA World Cup?
Joining in on the frenzy of the football World Cup in Brazil, this week I would like to draw some parallels between the world of professional football and the world of global business. To start with, the casual transition that football players have between their club teams and national teams is quite striking. Looking into […]
Immigrants: Why Would Any Country Want Them?
On April 16, 2013 the United States Senate was introduced to a new immigration reform bill, called The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The reform bill aims to increase border security, streamline legal immigration, and address the issue of undocumented immigrants already settled in the country. In regards to the […]
Gender Diversity in the Workplace: Lessons from Global Top Performers
Gender diversity in the upper ranks of a company is a hot topic in global business, as several studies (e.g. McKinsey, Catalyst) indicate that female representation in executive positions is beneficial for the companies, and that it brings additional commercial value. The practical experiences of companies seem to confirm the notion, as more and more […]