Advice on Going Global

No More Cuts! Keep Foreign Language Learning in Schools!

Stacie Berdan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:46:00 GMT

Global is everywhere today. You can hardly turn on the news or read an op-ed without hearing how our world is growing more crowded and interconnected. Yet I was dismayed to read a troubling piece in Sunday’s New York Times about foreign language suffering cuts yet again in elementary schools around the country this fall. In this day and age, American students need second language skills to keep pace with globalization and the competition rising from the super economies of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Russia.

Take, for example, the streams of recent American college graduates who could not land a job in the U.S. and so, in order to escape hard times at home, headed to China to find work. Graduates with some Mandarin skills will fare better than those without; most likely all will learn while they are there. If and when these students return to the U.S., future employers will appreciate their ability to work cross-culturally, to understand aspects of Chinese business and language, and will -- if history is any indicator -- reward them with faster promotions and greater responsibility. Companies understand the value of global education.

In the global financial crisis, Americans learned that – for the first time – the so-called developing world surged past the developed world in its share of global productivity; Americans are learning that we can no longer afford to ignore China, Russia, India or Brazil. When today’s kids grow up, they are as likely to be competing for jobs in and with people from Beijing or Brasilia or Bangalore as from Boston or Baton Rouge. In our ever-shrinking world, global experience will continue to move from “nice” to “must-have” for career success.

At stake is nothing less than our ability to compete successfully in the raw global arena, and one of the deciding factors will be American professionals’ ability to speak strategic foreign languages.

However, because studies show that language learning comes more easily to those whose brains are still in the development phase – up until roughly 12 or 13 years of age – when we cut language programs from elementary schools, we are inhibiting bilingualism in future adults. We comfort ourselves with the unrealistic expectation that students will learn in high school or college. But that is unlikely to happen due to the increased difficulty in language learning as we get older. Arguably, bold and innovative new methods of teaching foreign language are needed now more than ever – and instituted in schools as early as kindergarten.

Moreover, cultural knowledge and understanding (gestures, choice of vocabulary) need to be married to actual language acquisition in a systematic way. Having native speakers with different world views as teachers allows children to acquire their language skills accompanied by enhanced levels of cultural, political and historical context. School districts need help in rising to this new challenge.

Yet despite the need, our foreign language skills have decreased precipitously. Perhaps this is because the time commitments required to achieve and retain a high level of skill, weighed against expected use and the widespread perception that foreign language skills are not really necessary – do not favor language learning in school. Until this situation changes, it will be very difficult to radically alter our foreign language education system.

The United States must act boldly, and all sectors of society must participate lest we lose our competitive edge in the international marketplace. While multi-million dollar government grants continue to be issued to school districts interested in pursuing language curriculum, the current economic crisis does not bode well for growing these programs nor enabling schools to stretch beyond their basic needs. Businesses must continue to embrace international operations through expansion and operations abroad, but simultaneously through language and cultural acquisition. Universities and colleges must emphasize internationalism, including playing a leadership role in achieving language proficiency – which begins before students arrive on campus.

The stakes for our children are high, and rising. Americans must fight for the need to keep foreign language in the budget as a critical component to our children’s success. Knowledge of and appreciation for another language and culture will help our children grow up ready for a complex and multi-cultural global economy. If we are to continue to prosper as a country, our children must become global citizens: open-minded, bilingual kids ready to see global interconnectedness as both opportunity and welcome challenge. Learning a second language is an integral part of this cross-cultural sophistication.

As originally appeared on Huffington Post.com:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacie-nevadomski-berdan/no-more-cuts-keep-foreign_b_285172.html

New Study Shows 60% of Black and African People Assaulted in Moscow

Stacie Berdan — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:53:57 GMT

According to a piece on the BBC recently, nearly 60% of black and African people living in Russia's capital Moscow have been physically assaulted in racially motivated attacks, says a new study by the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy is an English-speaking interdenominational Christian congregation that has ministered to Moscow's foreign community since 1962. See the full story here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8230158.stm

Kraft CEO: Diversity in Leadership Delivers Value

Stacie Berdan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:52:00 GMT

In the Forbes, Aug. 19, issue, there is a great interview with Irene Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft, who recently helped steer the company into a second-quarter earnings report that beat expectations. Rosenfeld tells Forbes that she considers getting the right people in the right job has been her biggest challenge. Asked for her prediction of when more women will be put in CEO roles, she said: "I can't comment on whether we will see more women, but I certainly believe that there is enough evidence that increased diversity of leaders can be quite successful in delivering on shareholder value, and I feel good about the evidence and the progress that has been made there."

Check out the entire piece on these outstanding business leader at: http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/18/kraft-leadership-management-forbes-woman-power-women-09-irene-rosenfeld.html

Perry Talks about Your Career, Your Terms in Chicago

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:18:00 GMT

On August 13 at 8:00 am, Perry Yeatman, Senior VP Corporate Affairs, Kraft Foods will present a conversation on "your career, your terms" a discussion on the broad things women can do to have the career and life of their dreams. It's less about "magic" answers and more about pragmatic, realistic advice.

Join us for this inspirational and meaningful programs for mid career professionals trying to decide if they want to go further and if so how to do it.

This talk is part of a series as part of a series of conversations for CEO Women's Club. Check it out at:
http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001Ggv-aIPwbLaM-WvbyIvhBmIpTWTJ9sx8a7z2pAW2cnda6fppeatUQnR9l-wP6jt7qX63qP74eMmvCfu8-I5_NNulpwAT8WRu99kPdP8Btw9TsGnXo-seFw%3D%3D

On Being a Woman in Japan

Stacie Berdan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:22:00 GMT

Journeywoman, an online resource for traveling women, has a great piece this month on being a woman in Japan. Its author, a Brit who moved to Tokyo in 2001, provides helpful information on being a woman in this often misunderstood culture. Check it out here:
http://www.journeywoman.com/gfc/20ThingsWomenShouldKnowAboutTokyo.htm

Enjoy!

Best Countries for Business

Stacie Berdan — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:11:00 GMT

Best Countries for Business

Forbes Magazine has published its annual Best Countries for Business ranking. For the second straight year Denmark has taken the No.1 spot.

Best Countries for Business:
1. Denmark
2. USA
3. Canada
4. Singapore
5. New Zealand
6. United Kingdom
7. Sweden
8. Australia
9. Hong Kong
10. Norway

Forbes analyzed business climates in each of 127 national economies, focusing on degrees of trade freedom, monetary freedom like the right to participate in free and fair elections, or freedom of expression and organization.

The Criteria

Trade Freedom
Monetary Freedom
Property Rights
Innovation
Technology
Red Tape
Investor Protection
Corruption
Personal Freedom
Tax Burden
Market Performance

Career Servies: Helping Students Searching for International Jobs

Stacie Berdan — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:30:47 GMT

With the shrinking job market in the US, students should also consider their options overseas. I have found, however, that many students who have acquired foreign language skills or studied/interned abroad, don't know how to package these skills, how to apply them to current global business trends, or know where to start if they simply want to take a chance and move to another country to look for a job. I believe that now, more than ever, international experience is critical.

Working with campus career counselors, I'm conducting workshops to help students apply their international experience to future goals by focusing on practical tips and advice on how to get started, what resources are available, how to manage expectations and set objectives. Using my original research from my book, Get Ahead By Going Abroad, real-life anecdotes and vast network of contacts with multinational companies and organizations, I provide practical and effective advice on:
- Packaging international skills in order to apply them to the current global business trends and the needs of potential employers
- Devising a plan for an international job search, managing expectations and setting objectives
- Determining which markets, industries, and companies are ‘hot’ right now, networking, and cover letter & resume writing tips

Companies value international experience and, after a few years in another market, these globetrotters could return to the US with enhanced and differentiated business skills to catapult them forward.

If you're interested in more information or having me conduct this workshop on campus, contact me StacieNBerdan@aol.com

Revisiting Gender Issues: Integrated Leadership

Stacie Berdan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Interest piece on integrated leadership vis-a-vis gender issues. Ginny makes some interesting points about the importance of a balanced masculine/feminine



Success On Your Own Terms Newsletter		Volume #56 March 2009

Revisiting Gender Issues: Integrated Leadership

March is Women's History month so I feel compelled to write about women in this newsletter, while emphasizing once again that the best leader is one who is integrated and balanced, drawing from both the masculine and the feminine. Last year I wrote about gender differences in the brain and last month I spoke on Neuroleadership at the New England Human Resources Association's (NEHRA) Conference Series. Here are a couple of nuggets about the brain and our biology that are critical for us to understand. I'm presenting them again here to ground the rest of this article:

Women have more estrogen hormones (which some researchers call "the social harmonizing hormone") than men and 30 percent more serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that provides a sense of calm and controls aggressive impulses. Women are also more influenced by oxytocin, another hormone that drives a desire for connection. Studies show that women, more than men, tend to seek equity and an even playing field. Research also indicates that women reduce stress by coming together and talking through their issues with others; rather than "fight or flight," they "flock."

Men have 10 to 100 times more testosterone than women. Testosterone is a fast-acting, aggressive hormone. The higher the level of testosterone a man has, the more desire he has to win the game and gain power through personal strength, whether it's physical or intellectual. The greater the level of testosterone, the less interest there is in social relationships or social consequences beyond winning.

Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD, a noted psychiatrist who has written extensively on women and an activist for the UN 5th World Conference on Women, recently wrote a powerful newsletter article "Oxytocin Antidote," which eloquently captured some of the ideas that I talk about in my neuroleadership workshops. I don't usually quote someone else so extensively in my newsletter, but I thought her message was so on point that I wanted to make sure you had the opportunity to read it. She describes what happens when we operate without balance between the masculine and the feminine. Here is a portion of her article:

"What we think of as masculine and feminine qualities are innate human qualities that when allowed to develop in men and women result in psychologically whole people. In patriarchal societies where men rule through their ability to dominate other men, men fear being humiliated. Dominator values emerge early in boyhood, suppressing tender-heartedness. To have empathy becomes a handicap.
"Under stress, men and women respond differently. Women such as those that ended the conflict in Liberia, who are in a risky situation together, bond with each other as women do through talking about the situation, sharing ideas and feelings. Physiologically, there is an increase in oxytocin - the maternal or bonding hormone that reduces stress, increases trust, and is enhanced by estrogen. Men respond to stress with an increase in adrenaline that is enhanced by testosterone.
"Ongoing civil wars and conflicts, like gang wars in the neighborhood, are usually led by men who seek power and control, who are driven by fear of humiliation or fantasies of retaliation. The fate of the neighborhood or the world is then in the hands of psychologically adolescent, high adrenaline-testosterone men, who avoid any identification with weakness and aren't able to feel compassion.
"The oxytocin antidote to this is the power of women who come together to keep the children safe, who can draw upon "enough is enough" mother-bear energy and work for peace when men do not see anyway out of the conflict. ... The Secretary-Generals of the United Nations, current and past, have been men with well-developed masculine and feminine qualities as have all leaders with wisdom, compassion, maturity and moral authority.
"That more oxytocin and less testosterone could have prevented the global financial crisis - attributed to risk-taking, competitive bankers and security traders - was seriously discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The speculation was that the problem on Wall Street wasn't sub-prime mortgages but elevated testosterone, and that if the firm had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters, instead of Lehman Brothers, this would be a different story."

Both estrogen and testosterone are beneficial and necessary. Hormones are only one variable in a host of variables that influence behavior. It is the interplay of nature and nurture that shapes who we are, but we must continue to examine and understand how all these variables work together in order to achieve better leadership performance, better business results, and a better, more fulfilling life for all of us. Moreover, we must continue to support the advancement of women to the highest levels of leadership within organizations and a key way to do that is to change the system so that it rewards feminine values of equity, collaboration and connection.

For more information on Dr. Bolen go to www.jeanbolen.com. For more information on the 5th Women's World Conference go to www.5wcw.org.

When you forward the newsletter to your friends and colleagues, please keep it intact with copyright and contact information. You can be added or removed from the list at any time by using the links at the end of this message. THANKS!

Ginny O'Brien, MS, PCC

To order
Coaching Yourself to Leadership
contact www.amazon.com or www.hrdpress.com

Or contact me directly at ginny@columbiaconsult.com
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Ultimate Outsourcing: Americans Overseas

Stacie Berdan — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:38:00 GMT

It's being called the ultimate outsourcing: Americans looking for jobs overseas. With IBM's recent announcement of Project Match -- in which the company actively encourages employees to take their pink slips and apply for jobs in China, India and Brazil -- more companies are sure to follow suit.
    Some people are outraged. Some are scared. Others who understand the value are supportive. To be sure, today's current economic climate is a serious force to be reckoned with. But rather than curse the storm clouds overhead, American workers would be well-advised to see this challenging moment as an opportunity to reap the rewards that others have for decades: By looking beyond their own borders to gain valuable experience overseas.
    Make no mistake about it: American intellectual capital is still considered some of the best in the world, which is why IBM and other companies are willing to incur the expense of sending their people overseas. Those that accept will be rewarded with more than just a roof over their head and a weekly paycheck. The extraordinary personal and professional growth that takes place when living in a foreign culture can be cashed in on future career opportunities -- like when the U.S. economy rebounds and companies need employees who can operate effectively in the international marketplace. When that happy day finally comes, those who have proven that they know how to work across cultures will be prized commodities.
    And working abroad does not only mean working for American companies. There are hundreds of large, foreign companies that offer tremendous opportunities. This role reversal may seem scary, but it reflects the future of global commerce. Now is not the time to be afraid of the global marketplace but to embrace it.
    Yet picking up and moving yourself and your family to a strange new land is a daunting proposition. Americans must be able to adapt to succeed and, with a bit of caution and a lot of research, many will take the deep dive.
    And yes, you can do it even if you're married -- I was -- and have children. And trust me, you'll be doing your children a favor: by the time they enter the workforce, a global mindset will be expected.
    Last but certainly not least, living overseas can be fun, interesting and exciting.
    So if your employer offers you the opportunity to work abroad, be it as part of a promotion or an "or else" proposition, think twice before you say "no." Not only might it be the best offer you're going to get -- it's probably a whole lot better an offer than you think it is. And who knows? It just might be the best career move you ever made.

Originally appeared on Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacie-nevadomski-berdan/ultimate-outsourcing-amer_b_168559.html

Study Abroad Students: Emphasize Your Curiosity and Open-Mindedness

Stacie Berdan — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:52:00 GMT

The Expert: Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, international careers expert and co-author of Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman’s Guide to Fast-Track Career Success (HarperCollins, 2007).

The Issue: Employers are drawn to the curiosity—and “the ability to enjoy risk”—that compel college students to study abroad.

In a recent article you wrote about employers’ views of study abroad, you said the following: “What do companies value most in the study abroad experience? Interestingly, they are attracted to evidence of curiosity within global-minded applicants.” What do you mean?
In the research I conducted for Get Ahead By Going Abroad, several traits emerged as critical to successfully working across cultures. Curiosity and openmindedness rank in the top five among professionals who have lived and worked overseas, and among companies that employ and appreciate these internationalists. Curious, open-minded individuals enjoy the overseas experience for its breadth of newness and for the sheer joy of operating in an environment that is outside their comfort zone. Dealing with differences in culture as well as in infrastructure—be it while taking classes in a second language or figuring out local transportation—requires the ability to enjoy risk and the spirit of adventure. The world economy is in flux but one thing is certain: Globalization is here to stay. Companies recognize that they need workers who not only understand international business but can also operate successfully— thrive, really—in cross-cultural situations.

How can college students who have studied abroad best market that experience to prospective employers?
Students should be able to explain to potential employers their purpose in choosing the country they selected, demonstrate what they learned, and describe how they can apply their experiences to a position. In addition, where a student studies increasingly matters to companies. Branching out beyond the typical Western European countries and into China, Brazil, Russia, or India signals an enhanced awareness of growing global economies—and a link to the places most companies are expanding. Moreover, these nontraditional destinations often offer more-challenging situations, intensifying the learning.

What can Campus Career Counselor readers do to address with their students/grads the issues you’ve raised here? Encourage students to study abroad in developing markets and growing economies. Advise them to research where the hot markets for future growth are within their fields. Emphasize foreign language proficiency as an element of future career uccess. It’s a big resume booster for those international companies looking to place workers abroad, because they appreciate that language skills go beyond verbal communication and into broader cultural awareness and understanding. Finally, bring experts to campus to advise students on the complex—and sometimes daunting—world of working and living overseas. Professionals who have done it themselves can share relevant, reallife examples, satisfying hundreds of questions on students’ minds.

Originally appeared in Campus Career Counselor January 2009

2009 Resolution: Learning to Want What I've Got

Perry Yeatman — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:43:00 GMT

        About this time every year, millions of us take some time out to relax, refresh and reflect... on the year just ending, on our current state of being and on what we want to achieve in the year ahead. As a work in progress myself, I have always found this reflection time important and I try to make full use of it.
        In 2008, I wrote in this space about trying to "do less" and "enjoy more." How'd I do? Well, while I was still very busy at work, I did do much better outside the office. I spent less time running around and more time just hanging out. While still busier than "the average" perhaps, 2008 did see me accepting fewer engagements, making fewer play dates, reducing my work travel, etc. All this made for more time to just be -- with my family or with a book.
        Most importantly, I began to really enjoy "being." In fact, by about mid-year, I'd decided doing less was really quite a good thing. Clearly, being overly driven and programmed was not the short cut to happiness for me. And it only took me 40 years to figure it out! So, even though not perfectly executed, I found my 2008 resolution adding a lot to my overall quality of life. I'm grateful for that and hope to make even more progress down my road to happiness in 2009.
        Yes, amidst the gloomy outlook, I am looking for a silver lining. In these uncertain economic times, we are all no doubt looking for ways to save more and spend less. For me, that backdrop is perhaps ideal for what feels like the next natural step after learning to do less and enjoy more. That step is as Sheryl Crow so aptly put it "not having what you want but wanting what you've got."
        I've always loved this phrase but recently I've been thinking about it more and more. Let me say here that for all those reading this who may have lost jobs or houses or even worse, loved ones, this past year that I understand that I am truly lucky not to be in that position. I am blessed to have all the basics well covered for myself and for my family. And, I'm lucky to be working for a solid ethical company that I am confident will still be in business next year and next decade. For those who did suffer a major loss this past year, I am truly sorry. My heart goes out to you. You have every reason to be sad or hurt or angry or all of the above.
        But, for those people who are, like me, poorer as we exit the year but still doing okay, 2009 may be our best chance to bring Sheryl's words to life in our own lives. Instead of complaining about what we don't have or can't afford this coming year... think about what would happen if we wanted what we had? Wanted our families, even that weird uncle or bossy grand mother... Wanted our jobs, despite long hours, limited advancement opportunities or difficult bosses... Wanted our houses, even without the addition or the new bathroom... Wanted our bodies, just as is, as long as they are healthy... Wanted the clothes we already own, even if they aren't the latest fashion? Think about it. Think of the power of it!
        It may not help our consumer driven economy but then again, I think we need to change our dependence on consumer spending anyway. Wow! What a difference that would make and how much more time we'd all have if we weren't always shopping or spending money -- time to enjoy our families, time to help those not as fortunate or time to learn something new, by borrowing a book from the library so we don't even need to buy anything!
        That may or may not appeal to you, but it has a lot of appeal to me. So, in 2009, that is my resolution. To stop longing and/or shopping to get what I want and to start wanting and using what I've got. To be happier even without having more.
        Of course I'm not going to succeed completely. I'll no doubt find something, sometime, I just "have to buy." And I'll no doubt find my spouse or family or colleagues lacking in some major way at some point during the year. But that's ok. That's natural. Like 2008, it's not about being perfect. It's about making progress. Every bit of contentment gained would be a step in the right direction. And, in a year where spending less and saving more will likely remain on all our minds, wouldn't it be great if we could feel just a bit better about that and do something positive with it? Haven't we clearly voted for change? A new mindset for the New Year?
        This is another change we can all do -- no matter our location, profession or religion. You can do it. And I'm certainly going to try. Even a little change can mean a lot in tough times... And I, for one, have no interest in spending 2009 complaining about all that has gone wrong. I'd much rather focus on fixing things and trying to be happy. No politician or CEO -- no matter how good -- can make that happen for me. It's up to me to do it for myself. What about you? How do you want to spend your year and what are you willing to do to make that a reality?

Originally appeared on Huffington Post, Dec. 30.

Pink Magazine Lists Get Ahead By Going Abroad as Top Business Book for Women

Stacie Berdan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:27:00 GMT

GREAT NEWS!

Pink Magazine listed Get Ahead By Going Abroad as one of its Top Picks for 2008 Business Books for Women!

Pink writes:
Get Ahead by Going Abroad
As part of a growing trend, women executives are advancing their careers by working abroad. In Get Ahead by Going Abroad (HarperCollins, September 2007), authors C. Perry Yeatman and Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, along with featured expatriates, reveal how they developed crucial skills like adaptability and managing across cultures and time zones — all of which enhanced their business success back home. After requesting a transfer to Geneva, DuPont's Diane Gulyas built relationships with plant managers and senior manufacturing executives during her four-year stint in Switzerland and Belgium. Well-versed in manufacturing and management, she returned to the company's Delaware headquarters as group vice president of DuPont Performance Materials. The hardest part of launching a career abroad, according to the authors, is landing an international assignment. You can increase your chances by volunteering for a global project.

http://www.pinkmagazine.com/books.html

Globalization and the Engineering Giant, DuPont

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:33:00 GMT

        What does a company that operates globally expect of today’s graduating college students?  Such companies need managers and leaders with an international perspective to drive further growth in China, India, Brazil, Russia, the Middle East, South Africa and Eastern Europe.
        DuPont describes itself as as “the world’s most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer and healthier life for people everywhere.” DuPont produces 65 percent of its sales outside the U.S. As one of the top three U.S. exporters, DuPont has sales teams and manufacturing assets in hundreds of nations. Among its senior executives, 70 percent have lived and worked outside their home country.
        Diane Gulyas, Group Vice President of DuPont Performance Materials, can provide a specific example of how globalization has changed the way DuPont does business. That change illustrates the skills the company now needs.  Gulyas explains that one of her current businesses, Engineering Polymers, is helping expand the Indian Railway, a complex system of tens of thousands of rail miles.
        “This opportunity does not exist in the United States. It could easily have been overlooked by U.S. executives unaware of India’s heavy dependence on the rails and the nation's rapid economic growth,” recounts Gulyas. “Our team in India spotted the opportunity, then worked with a DuPont technical team to develop the right product for India. That multimillion dollar growth potential would not have come to pass if our teams lacked on-the-ground experience and presence as well as knowledge of technological advances.”
        Sounds simple, but opportunities like this are overlooked by companies every day. Gulyas, who manages a multibillion dollar unit at DuPont with a team of 7,500+ employees around the world, values international experience. She herself worked for five years in Europe at a mid-point in her career. She credits that mind-broadening experience as the driving force that catapulted her to the senior executive spot she holds today.
        “Because our industry is global, it’s not possible to have a U.S. career anymore, says Gulyas. “If you want to move ahead, you must be willing to go abroad, and you must be passionate about business beyond U.S. borders. To succeed, you must be able to lead, motivate and manage global teams.”
        DuPont recruits MBAs and PhDs.  International experience plays a role, as do assignments abroad and language skills. Discerning students also need to focus on acquiring skills and experiences relevant to developing economies, not Western Europe. Gulyas emphasizes that campuses must expose today’s students to an interconnected global marketplace.  Students’ intellectual curiosity about other cultures, countries and ways of thinking should be encouraged.

As originally appeared on www.GreentreeGazette.com.

Expatriate employee numbers double, according to New Study

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:56:00 GMT

As reported in Personnel Today, last week:

The number of employees on international assignments has doubled over the last three years as part of the continuing trends towards globalization, according to a survey conducted by Mercer.

Mercer’s 2008/2009 Benefits Survey for Expatriates and Globally Mobile Employees is the largest of its kind and covers 243 multinational companies world-wide, including over 94,000 expatriates (compared to 50,000 in 2005/2006).

Mercer conducts the survey every three years to provide an overview of expatriate policies in large multinational firms.

According to its report, 47 percent of companies surveyed said they had increased the deployment of traditional expatriates (employees on 1-5 year assignments) and 38 percent reported an increase in ‘global nomads’ (employees that continuously move from country to country on multiple assignments).

“The growth has been driven by companies’ desire to be globally competitive. To successfully launch new ventures abroad and gain advantage over competitors, companies generally bring in their own experts from other locations to lead projects on a short term basis, rather than rely on local talent,” said Robert Lockley, principal in Mercer’s international business.

“Increasingly these are corporate global nomads, seasoned professionals who move from project to project within the same multinational company. They bring solid experience in transferring knowledge, and a consistent approach.”

Mr Lockley continued: “Multinationals highlight that international assignments are part of their global leadership development programmes. Gaining experience in various geographies is becoming an essential step on the career ladder of international firms.”

The majority of companies surveyed (86 percent) consider benefit provision for expatriate employees a medium or high business priority.

However, 26 percent admit to having no overarching policy for providing expatriate benefits.

According to Mr Lockley: “Establishing an international policy is essential to stay competitive, maintain geographical consistency and control costs. Even against a backdrop of economic uncertainty there is still competition for the best talent. Companies that are lax in this area will lose out.”

When asked to rate the success factors for their expatriate benefits scheme, survey participants ranked supporting the company’s business and HR strategies the highest (63 percent).

Being valued by employees and remaining cost effective were also deemed important factors (both 59 percent).

However, the survey found that nearly two thirds of companies (64 percent) have no specific procedures in place to measure the success of their expatriate benefit programmes.

“Creating and maintaining benefit plans for expatriates is an expensive and complicated endeavour. By failing to assess the value of these programmes to the company or the employees themselves, many organisations miss the opportunity to improve their benefit offering and sharpen their competitive edge,” said Mr Lockley.

The majority of companies surveyed keep their expatriates in host or home country retirement schemes. However, 32 percent of companies offer international plans - an increase from 23 percent in 2005.

Close to three-quarters (73 percent) of companies with an international plan restrict eligibility to certain expatriates who cannot be kept in the home or host plan.

“More expatriates are going on multiple assignments across several geographies. Over time it becomes difficult for companies to justify the link to the office in the expatriates’ original home location when they have not worked there for many years. Also, swapping an employee from host scheme to host scheme is often an unattractive option,” said Mr Lockley.

“In other cases expatriates move to locations where retaining them in the home country pension scheme creates compliance and regulatory problems.”

He continued; ”In these circumstances, setting up an international scheme is often the most attractive option for multinational companies that want to provide pension benefits to their globally mobile employees.”

The majority of respondents provide medical benefits for their expatriates, whether via international plans or via home- or host-country plans.

However, more than 80 percent do not consider local social security provision when providing these benefits.

Mr Lockley said: “Multinational companies can achieve considerable cost savings by tailoring their medical plans to integrate with local social security provision. Although the data suggests few have yet to implement such plans, we see a growing number of clients actively exploring this approach.”

The majority of respondents cover their expatriates for death benefits (86 percent) and long term disability benefits are provided by more than three quarters of participating companies (78 percent).

North American companies are more likely to offer benefits at a cost to the employee, typically by way of deductibles or co-payments.

Global Exchange of Students at an All-time High

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:41:00 GMT

American students studying abroad and international students studying in the U.S. broke records yet again marking a decade of unprecedented growth. So reports the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Open Doors 2008, released November 17th. http://www.opendoors.iienetwork.org/

The number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8 percent to a total of 241,791 in 2006-07 -- a 150 percent increase over 1996-97. Although UK, Italy, Spain and France still attract more U.S. students, China is a new hot spot, number five among the most popular destinations for American students. According to Allan Goodman, president of IIE, “Interest is growing in China dramatically, and I think we’ll see even sharper increases in next year’s report.” He added, “Language used to be the primary driver. Students are now going for a better understanding of what’s happening there economically and politically.”

The number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities increased by 7 percent to a record high of 623,805 in 2007-08. Of them, 61 percent traveled from Asia. For the seventh consecutive year, India sent the most students, up 13 percent to 94,563. China is number two, increasing 20 percent to 81,127. Top choices are USC as university; California as state; and New York City as city. Business and management is the field of study most often chosen.

The report also noted:
·         Only 5 percent of students spend a full academic or calendar year. Most choose short-term and mid-length programs.
·         New York University ranked highest among U.S. academic credit issuers for study abroad to 3,034 of its students.
·         Large U.S. institutions dominate in numbers, but smaller institutions send a higher proportion of their students abroad. 18 U.S. schools reported sending more than 80 percent of their students abroad at some point during their undergraduate careers.
·         Top three major fields of study of Americans studying abroad are the social sciences (21 percent), business and management (19 percent) and humanities (13 percent).
·         Foreign students bring $15.5 billion to the U.S. economy, through expenditures on tuition and living expenses, sourced primarily through family and personal funds.
·         UK follows the U.S. as the second most popular study destination for foreign students.

According to Goodman, “International experience should be a component of every student’s education, equipping them for 21st century careers and for global citizenship.”

This article originally appeared on Greentree Gazette online: http://www.greentreegazette.com/articles/load.aspx?art=1352

Language Learning is Today's Space Race

Stacie Berdan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:25:00 GMT

Did Chinese mission into space remind you of Sputnik? The Russian aerospace accomplishment was viewed as a major surprise in western nations in 1957 and inaugurated a ‘space race’ in the U.S. It also increased math, science and foreign language interest within American education. During a Cold War era, the government’s education-related response was couched in military terms. Thus, the National Defense Education Act of 1958, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, funneled $1 billion into school curricula. Teaching the Russian language was understood to be critical to national defense.
        Today space race is a people-based planetary phenomenon, and it’s moniker is ‘globalization.’ Th e rising super economies of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and the new Russia are on many radar screens. Many of the people watching those screens believe success in a global economic arena may well be linked to the ability to speak and do business in languages other than English.
        Fifty years ago, Americans needed language skills to keep tabs on competitors. Today language skills are needed to keep pace with them. Opinion is growing that, academically, it’s time for nothing short of a cultural language revolution.
        Young Americans must be sensing it. U.S. student enrollment in Chinese language courses since 2000 has risen from 5,000 to 50,000, followed since 9/11 by Arabic in second place. Professionals fluent in English and either of those languages are rewarded by government and business alike with secure and oft en lucrative careers.

Glastonbury’s Russian academic heritage
        Glastonbury is an historic Connecticut River Valley town that dates back to the late 1600s. Today it is a suburb of Hartford, with one foot in agriculture and the other in industry and commerce. Glastonbury’s public schools are considered national leaders in language learning. Spanish begins in the first grade; a second language can be added in seventh, and a third in high school. As a result, some seniors at Glastonbury High graduate with varying proficiency in three foreign languages, including Chinese and Russian. [Full disclosure: Both of my daughters attend elementary school in Glastonbury, where we have lived for one year.]
        Glastonbury’s view of foreign language as a necessary currency for future success originated with Sputnik. According to Christine Brown, the Glastonbury Board of Education’s assistant superintendent, “Glastonbury had a forward-thinking superintendent, Larry Pauquin, who started conversations in 1957 with Mary Th ompson, a foreign language teacher in nearby Fairfield who ran a foreign language program in an elementary school.” With assistance from Yale University professors, Ms. Thompson wrote a grant request for $1 million to create language materials that would be used progressively from third grade and through high school.
        “Glastonbury collaborated with Yale to build the first French and Spanish high school language libraries,” said Brown. Those language materials were bought by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, who re-published and sold them around the world in the 1960s and ’70s.
        “This year we’re celebrating 50 years of teaching Russian,” explains Brown. “In 1958, the U.S. Department of Defense selected Glastonbury as one of three pilot programs, and Russian was added as a second language elective in the seventh grade.” Seventy students signed up that fi rst year, and many of them pursued careers in the military. Those who were working in the business world were ready for the opening up of Russia’s markets in the 1980s and early 1990s.
        Despite budget cuts that began in the 1970s, Glastonbury’s language curriculum has remained virtually intact. Ninety-five percent of their graduating seniors have received 12 years of foreign language instruction. They are sufficiently proficient to achieve fluency in college or university. The Glastonbury results far exceed the national average of just 40 percent, and Glastonbury High School enjoys language prestige that exceeds the most prestigious prep schools.

What colleges and universities can do
        The National Defense Education Act of 1958 might have been a stimulant, but it is safe to say that foreign second-language skills have decreased precipitously in the U.S. When the learning time commitments to achieve true proficiency are weighed against expected use, many likely learners have opted out.
        “The United States may be the only nation in the world where it is possible to complete secondary and postsecondary education without any foreign language study whatsoever.” That observation was made by Leon Panetta in a paper presented at Stanford University a few years ago. “The prevalent practice of offering and sometimes requiring one or two years of foreign language study for high school or college graduation is simply inadequate for giving students meaningful competence in foreign languages,” Panetta continued. As universities and colleges continue to appreciate and strive for diversity, and globalism, they may be taking a leadership role in language proficiency, even though it should begin before a student arrives on a college campus. For example, Arizona State University provides Mandarin instruction within the Phoenix public school system. Learning studies show that language learning comes more easily to people whose brains are still developing. Arizona State is not relying on its professors to wait for college freshmen and simply “take over and teach.” Other possibilities in the what-if discussion stage include …

• Reinstate foreign language profi ciency as a graduation requirement.
• Shift the core foreign language curricula from literature to culture, enhancing the opportunities for practical application.
• Increase study-abroad opportunities
• Expand Mandarin, Arabic and Russian curricula

Meanwhile, research has shown that multilingualism improves the command of one’s native language, enables greater mastery of tests in math and reading, and opens more neuropathways for cognitive expansion.

As originally appeared in the November 2008 issue of The Greentree Gazette.

Mobile Languages for Mobile Women

Stacie Berdan — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:00 GMT

Global Communication Skills

Globalization continues to impact almost every aspect of our lives, and the global economy increasingly demands multiple language skills. Many people outside the U.S. are multi-lingual – but many Americans aren’t. For the savvy professional women, learning a second language is probably on her to do list.  Women thrive on accomplishing things that we – and sometimes others – thought we couldn’t. Learning a second language is one such a challenge, whether it’s to finally pick up those French lessons we dropped in college, learn Italian to take cooking or art classes in Florence, or master Mandarin to get in on the burgeoning professional action in China. For some, like me, picking up languages again helps demonstrate we can do it, and share love of learning and language with our kids (my twin daughters have far surpassed my Spanish fluency at the tender age of eight).
        While women may well have the enthusiasm and discipline, learning a second language post-college presents its own difficulties. Few of us have the time to commit to traditional evening or weekend classes, or the patience to listen to comprehensive taped lessons that begin with Dick, Jane, and their dog Spot
        But thanks to the new wave of Web 2.0 technologies, mastering a foreign language has gotten a whole lot easier – and more fun. Among the leaders in this brave, new world of personalized learning systems (PLS) is Praxis Language, founded by three Western entrepreneurs who combined their expertise in linguistics, learning and technology to capitalize on the phenomenal growth in demand for learning Mandarin.
        PLS reverses the traditional teacher-centric, one-to-many format by configuring the instruction around the learning process itself and the needs of the individual student. The result is a whole new level of sophistication and effectiveness. In 2005, ChinesePod.com was launched, followed by the award-winning SpanishPod.com in 2007 and FrenchPod.com and ItalianPod.com in 2008. EnglishPod is due to arrive next year.
        In addition to being downright easy to use, such educational delivery systems are – by their very nature – specifically tailored for individual use and quintessentially mobile. Mobility enables language learning via a variety of media – including the PC, iPod, MP3 player, iPhone and mobile phone, giving the user control in a ubiquitous learning environment, available 24/7, that lets her be "immersed in the moment" – any time.
        All the modern language student has to do is download any of literally hundreds of self-selected, 10-12 minute lessons – cleverly disguised as entertaining mini-dramas – that come in six different skill levels. Then, when she’s ready to practice her new skills, she signs up for guided discussions or one-on-one lessons via Skype, where she can converse in real time with native speakers from around the world.
        LanguagePods appeal to all types of people around the world because of their mobility, personalization and effectiveness. Allowing users to hone in on the specific situations and specialized vocabulary they need, there are hundreds and hundreds of lessons. I’ve pulled out a few to provide a taste of what’s available to the busy woman interested in picking up a second language.

• Traveling to Spain or Latin America? From the basics of how to ask and tell basic information such as name, age, marital status, phone number, nationality to useful expressions such as how to introduce yourself, how to approach someone you want to chat with, how to start a conversation or a relationship, or even what to say when a friend introduces you to someone, SpanishPod has it: http://spanishpod.com/lessons/sets/view?id=108

• As an international business woman, you may need to prepare for a meeting in Shanghai or Beijing. Who knew there was so much involved in a simple business card exchange in China! You’ll make a significant impression if you understand the formalities and can make an attempt in Mandarin using ChinesePod: http://chinesepod.com/lessons/business-cards

• As a frequent traveler to Italy, I usually rely on my friends there to help me get by, but with ItalianPod I can tap the appropriate lessons from catching the right bus http://italianpod.com/lessons/roman-holiday to getting out of an embarrassing situation when your cell phone rings in the middle of La Traviata at La Scala: http://italianpod.com/lessons/losing-face-italian-style

• Have you ever tried to say "Do you speak…?" in another language? Whether you’re in a Paris café, on a Martinique beach, or in a Morrocan bazaar, learning how to begin a conversation in French is important: http://frenchpod.com/lessons/do-you-speak-french

If you looking to learn a second language while balancing the rest of your life, LanguagePods just might be what you’re looking for.

Article originally appered on W2Wlink.com: http://www.w2wlink.com/Articles/Mobile-Languages-Mobile-Women-artid294.aspx

Chinese (and Spanish, French and Italian) takeout: LanguagePods

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:09:00 GMT

Chinese (and Spanish, French and Italian) takeout

Last month, when Barack Obama called on Americans to learn a second language, it went over like a veggie tray at a carb addicts meeting. But Praxis Language Corporation’s LanguagePods may make people warm up to Obama’s idea. These 10-to-12-minute lessons (currently available for Chinese, Spanish, French and Italian) download to your iPod or iPhone and are cleverly disguised as provocative minidramas (like strictly audio telenovelas). Simply download the session you want (each language comes in five different skill levels) and tune in. When you’re ready to practice, sign up for guided discussions or one-on-one lessons via podcasts, where you’ll converse in real time with native speakers from around the world. $9–$30 per service; visit praxislanguage.com

As originally appeared in Time Out New York, Device Squad, Aug. 20-25: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/shopping/51171/chinese-and-spanish-french-and-italian-takeout

Brazil Moves Onto Global Stage

Stacie Berdan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Brazil moves onto the global stage: Campuses take note
by Stacie Nevadomski Berdan

        Brazil has arrived, and its strong economy is capturing attention. Latin America’s largest economy is poised to realize its potential as a global player.
        Leading the charge, President Luiz Inacio da Silva has demonstrated the right touch when it comes to economic prosperity. Brazil has benefited from the combination of his respect for financial markets and targeted social programs that bridge the gaps between classes. Millions have actually been lifted from poverty since 2001, while Brazil has also created the third largest number of new millionaires after India and China
        This momentum shows no signs of slowing. Brazilian companies like Embraer, Vale and InBev/AmBevare are some of the largest in the world. InBev made big news recently when it bought Anheuser-Busch. Brazil is the fifth most populous democracy in the world, and it sits on vast natural resources—including billions of barrels of oil recently discovered offshore of Rio de Janeiro. With an export rate to the U.S. of just 2.5 percent of GNP, Brazil has not suffered much during the U.S. economic troubles. But Brazil is struggling to meet the growing demands for intellectual capital.
        Many American students are increasingly selecting study abroad destinations that offer linguistic, cultural and professional experience in emerging global markets. Enough are noticing Brazil to moved it into the Top 20 such destinations last year at #19, an increase of 28 percent to 1,994 students, according to the Institute for International Education’s Open Doors report.
        American campuses can be a rich source of supply of new talent for global businesses. The China bandwagon, although wildly successful, may be getting crowded. Academic leaders can clear the paths to help students tap other growing global economies.
        Don't miss Stacie's cover story: "Get to know Hanban and the Confucius Institutes" in the September issue of The Greentree Gazette magazine.

Originally appeared in Greentree Gazette: http://www.greentreegazette.com/newsletters/080819_newsletter.html

Oil or water...The Only Answer is Less Consumption

Perry Yeatman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:52:00 GMT

While I too have felt the impact by the rising price of oil, I am at least lucky enough to have the economic resources to cope. Yes, we're driving less; using less air conditioning; recycling and re-using whatever we can, etc. So, we're doing our part -- or at least we're doing something -- as a family. But, the reality is, it'll never be enough unless we ALL do it -- and we start NOW. Today. This minute.

I know I am blessed to have what I do and I know the hardships will be greater for most Americans. But, we all simply have to find ways to do our part. And yes that means my family too should do even more since we have more. And there's simply no time to waste.

What we're going through now is nothing compared to what lies just around the corner. Living with high priced oil is tough, but it's nothing compared to trying to live without accessible clean water! (Which, by the way, millions and millions of people do). Economic hardship is painful. I'm not trying to underplay it here. I'm just trying to point out that survival is even tougher -- and thankfully most Americans are lucky enough not to be dealing with that each day.

If you think the wars over oil have been fierce, just wait till you see the wars over water -- that is unless we wake up and take action. We can't live without it and there simply won't be enough of it. Sure, we have some technology options but for various reasons they aren't as yet able to meet the world's needs.

Can't we see that all of these things are tied together? We as a nation (and all developed nations for that matter) are just over-consuming. Period. And suggesting that the way out of our economic troubles is to jump start further consumption is crazy if you look at the big picture over the longer term. (Here I feel I need to stress I am not an economist. Merely a mom concerned about her 4 year old having clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.)

If there is a lesson we can take from once dominant US industries it is that we have to find new models for economic growth. We have to learn to do more with less. We have to eliminate waste. If we don't, we can't point the finger down the road and say it's unfair other countries are beating us. If they win, it'll be fair and square and our collective fault for not taking action when we had the chance. Even as an internationalist at heart, I want to see America strong and proud and productively engaged in the world for centuries to come. How about you? And, are you willing to do things differently to make it happen? Are you willing to start today?

As originally appeared on the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/oil-or-water-the-only-ans_b_107837.html