How do I do a global launch?

It's a wide wide world and I know it seems pretty daunting to consider doing for your employees and their families in each country what you already do here in the USA. I think for many, because of the size of populations, diversity, large number of providers and complexity of legislative framework, it a big deal to have accomplished what you have.

Having grown a global Employee Assistance company for 27 year that offered services in more than 100 countries, and now our work life business in more than 100 countries I can honestly say we've learned a few things. Even so it seems I keep having the same discussion over and over with people who want to deploy new HR / Diversity / EEO initiatives world-wide.

The simplest way to think about launching global programs is by answering a few simple questions about where you are now and following a set of commandments.

The Simple Questions - you can print this out, write down your answers and email me. I'd be happy to discuss them with you.

1. What is the starting point for the perception of ‘work-life balance initiatives’ country by country?
• Not sure what is meant by ‘work-life balance initiatives’ [ ]
• They’re nice things to give employees but have no real business gain [ ]
• We’ve consulted with employees and think they could be beneficial [ ]
• We know the benefits and have begun developing work-life initiatives [ ]
• We have a fully integrated and successful work-life program [ ]

2. What are your desired outcomes of your people strategies?
• Recognition as an Employer of Choice [ ]
• Improved employee health & wellbeing [ ]
• Attraction & retention of valuable employees [ ]
• Reduce absenteeism & turnover [ ]
• Alignment of business strategy & work-life policy [ ]
• Occupational Health & Safety [ ]
• Other (please specify)……………………………..........................

3. Which of these work-life initiatives are you considering or do you currently have in place?
• Flexible working arrangements [ ]
• Employee Assistance Program [ ]
• Referral service for childcare and elder care [ ]
• Information and educational tools on managing work-life balance [ ]
• Work-life programs [ ]
• Other (please specify)……………………………..........................

The technologies that we use to make our online solution turn-key, adapted culturally, and idiomatically translated have taken years to develop. WLE has had brilliant contributions from clients who are thought leaders in providing work life to their employees (like the IBM Global Work Life Fund) and from the thought leaders who first created the field of work life in the USA. So brilliant that we now have clients who are enjoying more than 25% utilization (by registered employee headcount) globally, including countries with small numbers of employees. So you might rightly ask us, "How did you do it?'

The 5 Commandments

1. Be realistic. Not all countries have the understanding, expertise or desire to take on new initiatives, especially when they may lose face, money or promotions if it is not a success.
2. Set metrics appropriately - success in each country does not have to be measured the same way. There has to be a win-win.
3. Don't devolve financial responsibility too early - if ever - for the core services. Remember, this is your agenda, not theirs.
4. Start with the low hanging fruit. Use easy and relatively inexpensive initiatives to build a bow wave and help educate each country so they can then participate in an informed dialog about their more specific needs. Remember that in some countries programs you have fought for are part of that country's health, workplace and educational systems for free.
5. Localize. Many of you already know that with your own core business. You need to understand and adapt to the culture in each country while retaining your core values and building your work life culture as an organisation.

The truth is, many large vendors don't have to do the hard yards, visit each country, speak the languages or understand the local culture, educational systems, health and childcare infrastructure or legislative frameworks to make money. Imagine them doing all of that for your 12 people in Kenya or 117 in Viet Nam and then imagine why your project becomes hard or too lengthy. It's easy to be told this is too hard or only for big companies. Wrong!

We've been down this road as an independent and flexible company for many years. We understand the impact of your answers to the simple questions and we know how to stay true to the commandments. Therefore we are the experts to ask to mitigate the risks and give you the global success you want. Much of this risk management is built into the design of WLE.

So, ask yourself, "Would immediate access to a suite of practical innovative resources, including a world first in work-life innovations make a difference? [Y/N]".

If you'd like to talk, contact me, follow us. I'm happy to talk even if you're not a client! If you've got other burning questions leave a comment!

Bob Smith - CEO