Who is the Global Expert in the room?

“If you can’t explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.”    Albert Einstein




Every time I visit with a customer who has plans to deploy their HCM solutions globally, I always find it interesting how everyone in the room becomes the global expert.  Typically, when asked the question “Have you deployed a global solution in x country?” - the response is typically “No” followed by “but I understand the opportunities of consolidation and standardization”.    This does not make you an expert.

As organizations explore their opportunities to expand globally, beyond their borders, they will find “global experts” emerge from every corner but not always with the best advice.  They will claim global expertise to support a global enterprise and express the complexities involved and how they are able to help.  This can be overwhelming and daunting for those responsible for planning.  This is also the reason many projects fail or go beyond their original plan.  

The reality is going global is not complicated when you understand and have experience with the opportunities, planning with global and local practices and requirements.  In addition, you must be open to local involvement and recognize the importance of local support from the beginning.

In today’s business environment shaped by globalization, every organization deals with these realities not only in their core business activities, such as supply chain and customer management or regulatory reporting but also in their search for and management of talent. As a result, organizations must define unique HR processes in light of a common process framework.

In order to remain competitive, organizations today must continue to think globally and become better at it. This includes expanding their customer, manufacturing, service fulfillment or materials supply base beyond current borders to include a presence outside of their locale as well as expanding their potential talent pool. By embracing this, organizations will create projects to improve employee management and be more effective, efficient and compliant without restrictive borders.
This is my first of many posts where I will address global considerations like compliance, engagement, socialization, privacy and security to think about during a global deployment.   

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