Globalisation, the expansion of intercontinental trade, technological advances and the increase in the number of companies dealing on the international stage have brought about a dramatic change in the frequency, context and means by which people from different cultural backgrounds interact.Within companies there are many facets in which cultural differences manifest. Some key areas which cross cultural consultants deal with include, but are not exclusive to, the following:Cross Cultural HR: HR covers a wide range of business critical areas that need cross cultural analysis. Consultants may offer advice on a number of areas including recruitment, relocation, international assignments, staff retention and training programmes.

via Cross Cultural Solutions for International Business | Business Resources Blog.

Report by Brookfield Global Relocation Services Finds Some Industries, Including Oil and Gas and Telecommunications, Have Increased International Assignments While Others Are Sharply Cutting Back WOODRIDGE, Ill.–(Business Wire)– The ongoing economic downturn has forced many companies to dramatically scale back the number of employees they are relocating for international assignments, but has left other industries virtually unscathed, a new report exploring international mobility trends from Brookfield Global Relocation Services

via From Severe Reductions to Increased Activity, Economy Takes Global Employee Relocations On a Bumpy Ride | Reuters.

Can relocation hinder career development? A new study says that taking too many international assignments can delay the process toward becoming a CEO. Other hindrances are taking relocations too late in a career or switching companies.

By Jared Shelly

Taking an international assignment is key to employees successfully progressing through the ranks of an organization. They expand their horizons, learn a great deal about the inner workings of the company and develop that all important “global outlook.”

Right?

Maybe not. A new study suggests that taking too many international assignments can actually delay the path toward becoming a CEO.

via Human Resource Executive Online – Story.

If you are like most type A career climbers, you probably grabbed your passport, your traveling lawn gnome, and were headed out the door faster than you could say CHRO.  Fortunately for you, the Academy of Management has just saved you a bundle in moving boxes and packing tape by dispelling one of the greatest myths in corporate America; namely that international assignments are a one-way ticket to the C-suite.

Do I Really Need International Experience to be a Player in HR?

get the international experience, but make it experience supporting international operations

Extract from http://www.managingthecurve.com/international-assignments-what-they-will-and-wont-do-for-your-hr-career/

For more information, advice and news on international assignments, visit Re:locate Magazine

Expatriate life can be stressful, and finding the work life balance for the expatriate and the trailing spouse is an essential part of an international assignment.

I found this interesting article in Human Resource Executive Online – Story.

Overseas life can be stressful, but few employers are helping expats achieve work/life balance.

By Julie Cook Ramirez

Traditional concerns about the expatriate community have, for the most part, revolved around housing, compensation and the plight of the increasingly professional, male-trailing spouse who must try to continue her career abroad.

Many U.S. expats made their moves before — or just as — work/life balance became a growing concern back home, spurred on by the growing number of men and women trying to juggle the demands of corporate and family life while both held down high-level, high-stress jobs.

I came across an excellent article from Kathy Dorf from Clements International that outlines a checklist for people praparing to move overseas.

Planning – International Moving Checklist

It covers just about everything including:

• Investigating Your New Country’s Rules
• Filing Applications for Passports, Visas and Permits
• International Moving and Shipping Companies
• Insurance, including Auto, property and health Insurance
• Bank and Credit Card Accounts
• Prescription Drugs
• International Driving Permits
• Tax Obligations
• Pets
• Flight and Hotel Reservations
• VOIP Phone Service
• Cancelling Subscriptions and Forwarding Mail and
• General tips on doing your research

The article makes a great read and can be seen at Expat Exchange

Found an interesting liuttle piece on the World’s best cities according to the Mercer Quality of Living Survey…..

European cities dominate the top of the ranking

Vienna scores highest for overall quality of living, Baghdad the lowest

Singapore ranks top for city infrastructure; London ranks eighth

Vienna has passed Zurich to take the top spot as the world’s city with the best quality of living, according to the Mercer 2009 Quality of Living Survey. Geneva retains its position in third place, while Vancouver and Auckland are now joint fourth in the rankings.

via World’s Best Cities | Nurnberg Travel – Culture and Recreation.

The latest Global Relocation Trends survey report from Brookfield GRS makes interesting reading for those managing assignees in Brazil, China, India or Russia. The following extracts are taken from it.

When asked to identify the three countries that were emerging as new assignment locations, 15% of respondents ranked China as the most common new destination, followed by India (13%), and Russia (6%). These three countries also were the top three destinations in last year’s report. Furthermore, with only one exception in the history of this survey (when it was ranked in second place), China always has been the most commonly cited emerging destination.

Read more:  Survey spotlights global relocation trends.

The last year has seen what currency broker FC Exchange describes as ‘an exodus of expats’ leaving their Eurozone homes to return to the UK – but, since January 2009, the company has seen a 60% increase on the previous six months of clients repatriating their funds from selling their property abroad.

FC Exchange says that the well-documented rollercoaster ride sterling has taken over the last year has forced people to lose out on thousands of pounds through exchange rates, particularly with the euro. As the value of their pensions and savings dwindles, many Brits have put their properties on the market, as they are unable to afford to live abroad. However, it is only recently that people offloading their overseas properties have started to sell them, as global property markets have started to rise.

via Repatriation of funds increases as ‘expat exodus’ continues.

Anna Shevchenko, senior consultant at Farnham Castle International Briefing and Conference Centre, offers guidance on negotiating the cultural hurdles involved in doing business in Russia. Russia has a very distinct culture, and this needs to be understood and appreciated in order to conduct successful business.

If the effort has not been made to understand the cultural nuances of this nation, even the simple action of a handshake could cause unease. A businessman welcoming a Russian counterpart with an extended palm when opening the office door might receive a frown. This is because there is an unspoken Russian understanding that considers it bad luck to shake hands over a threshold. The meeting might be off to a difficult start, right from the outset.

Find out more about doing business in Russia – Doing Business in Russia