Global businesses, such as IBM, are beginning to look into the benefits of short term, fact finding missions about other countries with a view to relocation.
An overseas assignment is a term which is very much open to interpretation in the business world.
For some, it conjures up images of glamorous, relaxing visits to locations that encourage more play than work. Sometimes though, the reality can be very different.
The idea of relocating even a small amount of your staff and business abroad can seem like a headache when you think about everything that is involved.
So many issues require in-depth planning before you decide whether relocation is the best option. But what is the most effective way to determine if your business can exist (and hopefully thrive) in unfamiliar surroundings?
IBM, the global technology giant, has come up with a unique approach to assessing the advantages and disadvantages of relocation.
By sending over a select team of staff on a relatively short term trip, you can enjoy all the benefits of a fact finding mission without committing too many resources to a project that may not work out in the long term.
“This is part of operating a global enterprise. Leadership has to be more than just a class and more than just a webinar,” says Tom Vines, Vice President of business and technology leadership for IBM.
In the past few years, IBM has sent teams to India, Kenya and Nigeria as well as a number of other international locations.
The assignments are not always glamorous or relaxing necessarily. They are designed to test out issues regarding infrastructure and cultural barriers, and to see if full scale relocation is a wise move.
These teams usually comprise between 8-12 members who may only spend 4 four weeks on location before reporting back to headquarters about findings and projections.
This method clearly would not be suitable (or financially viable) for all companies. But for global enterprises such as IBM they make sound, long term sense.
It is important to get an idea if the systems you use and ideals you practice can be applied to foreign territory with a view to expanding your business.
