Globalization and Business

I recently did an interview with Ben Lawrence for his eZine. The interview focused on the current business environment and what could be done to move forward.

Interviewer: How is globalization affecting your business?
John: Recently I was asked to train a local executive from a fortune 500 company who was becoming a VP of a Global position. Specifically he almost was not given the promotion because he lacked global people skills. Meaning he had little patience and or tolerance for different work schedules and attitudes towards work in various European markets where he now will be a leader. Fortunately, for this new Global VP Dale Carnegie human relations principals are global in perspective , for example, “try honestly to see things from another persons point of view” once understood and implemented builds relationships cross cultures.

Interviewer: What are the biggest changes you've seen in your business in the last 10 years?
John: Companies that “get it” invest in developing their people. Twenty years ago I would have high level executives tell me we hire quality people if they need training they can not work here. Today, what is good can always be made better. So what if you are currently good with people what if you got a little bit better? Can you imagine if Tiger Woods thought he was as good now as he will ever be? Tiger knows better than anyone else he needs to continue to work on the habits that do not come natural to him. That’s training at its best! No, that’s results!

Interviewer: What are the biggest challenges facing your clients' businesses today and the biggest challenges facing senior executives?
John: People Strategy. To build a global culture that allows execution of business strategy to make their visions of a profitable organization realized.

Interviewer: How can business overcome these challenges? How can senior executives overcome them?
John: Establish a clear global vision, mission, and core values that can be understood and implemented across various cultures. Then building in clear leadership competencies at all levels in the organization, so that real business results can not just be realized, but exceeded.

Interviewer: What's the single most important question that business leaders are forgetting to ask themselves? Their team?
John: "What is the wise thing to do?"

Interviewer: The best advice you ever received was:
John: From my First Dale Carnegie Class in 1985, the ten two-letter words that changed my life: “If it is to be it is up to me!"


Now it's your turn, readers. . . .
What do you see as the challenges facing companies, teams and employees in this global economy?

John R. Rodgers is the franchise owner for JR Rodgers & Associates, Inc., one of the world's largest and most highly ranked Dale Carnegie Training® franchises.