Many companies struggle with how to have a successful global training initiative. Over the years we've put together some best practices. "Think globally, act locally" is a phrase I know you've all heard before, but let's explore what this means in regards to a training initiative.

00:25  What it doesn't mean is taking what works in the U.S. and pushing it out to other parts of the world. Many companies try to roll out training by sending English facilitators and using English materials. They assume that because their employees all speak English that this will be OK. What they're not thinking about is that cultures and customs vary from country to country. Even in countries where the language is the same, cultural phrases are not, and this can lead to misunderstandings.

00:51  Here's a short story that will illustrate that.

00:55  An American couple came back from London after being there for four months and I asked them, "Did you see a difference in the cultures and the values?" The husband sat back and after a while, he had this to offer. He said when you get on and off the subway in London you hear a recorded message and that message says, "Mind the gap." Now here in the United States, we would say "Watch your step", but in London, "Mind the gap" means watch your step between the train and the platform. That phrase pretty much summarizes any advice I would give to a company considering doing global training. Because we share a common language, we look and dress a lot alike, it's only natural to expect that phrases and cultural norms would be the same, but they're not. Despite similarities, there is, in fact, a gap. "Think globally, act locally" means making sure that training is taking into account cultures, customs and that you're using a facilitator who is from that area and knows what it takes to run a successful business in that region.

02:05  By recognizing local customs and cultural sensitivities and teaching in a native language, you remove distractions for the learner, so that they can focus on the skills that you want them to learn and this, in turn, will help them help you meet your strategic objectives.

Best of luck and let us know how we can help you achieve more effective training!