As organizations become increasingly global and internationally diverse, we are much more likely to work with people of other nationalities than we were 20 years ago. Moreover, international experience is highly valued. People actively seek ex-patriate assignments to enhance their careers. Short-term assignments and frequent international travel are often the norm for consultants, while those not working abroad may have some responsibility for a country other than their own. But the cultural differences involved add an extra dimension to the process of managing and consulting and can cause difficulties and misunderstandings.
This period in our history is characterized by a remarkable globalization. The decisions made by an Investment Banker in New York affect a coffee picker in Columbia, just as an IT developer in Australia has an impact upon a computer shop owner in New ham. Cultures from different parts of the world now mix with one another like never before. You can go to a McDonalds in New York, Nigeria, New Zealand and New ham. Last week I was in Japan, and the British company Vodafone is as well known there as Sony and Nissan are here. (You're in Charge - Now What? The 8-Point Plan, Thomas J. Neff, James M. Citrin, Pub. Date: January 2005)
As time goes on, you can travel through more and more countries just speaking English. You can make friends from all four corners of the globe. This is interdependence. The world is now a single global community in which we all rely on each other for our own well being. I think this globalization is a great opportunity. Thanks to improved technologies such as the Internet and air transport we have never before been in a better position to tackle the world's problems. We can now easily find out what's really going on.......
