Managing a global team can be challenging - from logistics, laws and regulations, to planning around local holiday schedules and time differences, to the overall leadership of a team half way around the world. If you are finding that your company is hitting some obstacles as you expand to new countries, don't worry - you are not alone!
This week I am honored to guest blog for Globalization Partners and their CEO Nicole Sahin, sharing my 10 tips for managing global teams. Globalization Partners was founded with the mission of changing the face of global business, by offering simplified international business solutions in an ever-expanding global marketplace.
The first few tips are listed below, or to read the full story click here.
1) Globalization does not mean Americanization
US-based companies tend to think that when they acquire a company in another country they will just wrap them into their existing structure and culture –
don’t fall into this trap. Respect your international team’s culture and look
for ways to merge the two.
2) Find a local firm to help
The best way to understand a market is to work with someone who is there – a
vendor or a partner that can support you as you build your team. In many
countries this is absolutely essential as business is all about relationships
and introductions, and going into these markets ‘cold’ will get you nowhere.
3) Find people near YOU that understand the market
In addition to your ‘on the ground’ vendor or partner, it is also extremely
helpful to have someone in your time zone that understands your new
international market when you need quick answers that may be off-hours at your
international site. It is even better to find one that also has a network
of partners in your international countries.
See the rest of the 10 tips here.
Debbie Millin is President of UpperLevel Solutions – a Boston-based firm offering part-time and interim Chief Operating Officer services, operational
assessments as a health check or as part of due diligence, and executive project leadership.
www.upperlevelsolutions.com
This week I am honored to guest blog for Globalization Partners and their CEO Nicole Sahin, sharing my 10 tips for managing global teams. Globalization Partners was founded with the mission of changing the face of global business, by offering simplified international business solutions in an ever-expanding global marketplace.
The first few tips are listed below, or to read the full story click here.
1) Globalization does not mean Americanization
US-based companies tend to think that when they acquire a company in another country they will just wrap them into their existing structure and culture –
don’t fall into this trap. Respect your international team’s culture and look
for ways to merge the two.
2) Find a local firm to help
The best way to understand a market is to work with someone who is there – a
vendor or a partner that can support you as you build your team. In many
countries this is absolutely essential as business is all about relationships
and introductions, and going into these markets ‘cold’ will get you nowhere.
3) Find people near YOU that understand the market
In addition to your ‘on the ground’ vendor or partner, it is also extremely
helpful to have someone in your time zone that understands your new
international market when you need quick answers that may be off-hours at your
international site. It is even better to find one that also has a network
of partners in your international countries.
See the rest of the 10 tips here.
Debbie Millin is President of UpperLevel Solutions – a Boston-based firm offering part-time and interim Chief Operating Officer services, operational
assessments as a health check or as part of due diligence, and executive project leadership.
www.upperlevelsolutions.com