GDI In the Media

Building an Effective Cross-Cultural Knowledge Management System
ASTD Links
Neal Goodman
December 16, 2009

Once established, the knowledge management system becomes one of the most critical success factors allowing corporations to build, retain, and share their intellectual capital about global activities. It also places training and learning and development strategically at the center of the global enterprise. Corporations that are successfully embracing global knowledge management systems report substantial savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced coordination of global initiatives.

The Hidden Challenges in Taking Diversity Training Global
ASTD Links
Neal Goodman
September 1, 2009

As globalization continues to progress we will see increased attempts to implement universal standards and operating procedures in global companies. The most elusive topics that companies will continue to struggle with are in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Going Global: Skills to Train Across Cultures
Training Magazine
Neal Goodman
August 05, 2009

Differences in cultural values of the instructors and students on dimensions such as hierarchy, individual vs. group orientation, and comfort with risk taking play a major role on the eventual success or failure of a program. Other major factors include linguistic competencies, familiarity with the use of new technologies, and the preferred communication styles of students and instructors.

Study: Cultural Training Key Element for Global Assignments
Global HR
Douglas Vaira
June 30, 2009

This comes as no surprise to Dr. Neal Goodman, president of Florida-based Global Dynamics Inc., which provides cross-cultural management solutions for multinational corporations such as Sun Microsystems and Johnson & Johnson.
The biggest challenge as Goodman sees it? Human resources realizing expatriate assignments as an opportunity to grow global leadership.
Expatriates are the most underutilized resource when it comes to global knowledge management of any resource in the organization,å says Goodman, a SHRM member for more than 20 years. Their knowledge is not utilized by the company when they are on assignment or when they come back.å

Where Companies Fall Short on Global Leadership Training and Development
ASTD Links
By Neal Goodman
June 1, 2009

Most research on global leadership identifies competencies that are key factors for success, such as having a global business mindset; creativity, innovation, and vision; cultural intelligence; and collaborative leadership, team building, and partnering. However, organizations rarely have a coherent training and development process that promotes the attainment of these competencies.

Going Global: Training in the Global Virtual World
Training Magazine
Neal Goodman
March 12, 2009

How is multitasking different when training is delivered in person versus online? The difference is clearly in engagement. The very nature of virtual training requires extra attention and engagement from the participants. Those taking the training online are not really "there." They are somewhere else physically and existentially.

Mastering Successful Training in the Global Virtual World
ASTD Links
Neal Goodman
March 1, 2009

Just as there are good and bad instructors and training environments, there are factors that are more or less conducive to learning in a virtual environment. There are some clear lessons learned that can significantly improve the likelihood of success of your next (or first) virtual training session.

Developing Cross-Cultural Corporate Global Leaders
Mobility Magazine
John G. Schieman
May 2004

With regard to cross-cultural competence, understanding verbal and non-verbal communication is particularly important for global leaders. Each cultural encounter represents an opportunity to misunderstand the importance of individual words, phases, numbers, colors, and gestures. Large corporations with very successful business models in one culture often have false starts and failures when entering a new, cultural market resulting from mis-communication.

Linking Cross-Culture Competencies
Mobility Magazine
John G. Schieman
February2004

Effective knowledge management systems are essential components for
establishing global cross-cultural competence. They provide the ability to codify
knowledge and personal experience, making it available to the entire
organization. Knowledge management fosters a continuous learning process.

Quantifying the Value of Cross-Cultural Training
Mobility Magazine
John G. Schieman
January 2004

Quantifying the business improvementå from cross-cultural interventions is
challenging, however it is clear that cross-cultural competence has the potential
to make a significant contribution to top and bottom line results as well as
individual performance.