Workers raised in an age of economic optimism want it all, and they want it now. Read more…

The American system of higher education is becoming an important export as more universities take their programs overseas. Read more…

Motor scooters are an acceptable means of transportation for Parisian business people. How are Americans working in France adapting to the two-wheeled vehicle? Read more in this Wall Street Journal article.

Japanese consumers have a penchant for French luxury brands. This article in the Japan Times speaks with a French luxury industry specialist on Japan’s brand fixation and how French luxury brands are giving back to Japan.

Africa is undergoing an economic renaissance with economic growth recorded in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Algeria, Ghana and many other markets which are unfamiliar to some HR professionals.

Companies are adapting compensation and reward packages for local, national staff and benefits such as cell phones, personal loans and transportation are common. Health care clinics, recreation programs, and subsidized meals are also the norm among leading employers.

Learn about the challenges of conducting business in Africa at Africa Forum 2008: “Understanding Labour Market Dynamics in Africa”, sponsored by Birches Group LLC and the African Development Bank (AfDB), 6/10-6/12/08 in Accra, Ghana. For more information please email AfricaForum@birchesgroup.com

Often seen as a Western phenomenon, new studies find that depression and anxiety disorders are just as common in poor countries, with rates up to 20 percent in a given year. Read More…

Business Week.

Language, verbal and non-verbal, plays an important role in the effective functioning of your global team. It is important to keep these things in mind:

* Although the international language is English, not everyone is equally comfortable using it.
* Those who have stronger language abilities will feel more confident to express themselves, especially when speaking. This might interfere with the ability of team members to make their maximum contribution.
* Non-verbal communication has different degrees of importance in different cultures.

Here are some helpful hints:

* Provide additional opportunities for all team members to contribute more easily by providing follow-up materials to phone calls in which you request input, and by offering a detailed agenda before the call or meeting so that individuals can prepare.
* Non-verbal communication is powerful. Encourage your team to learn about the ways in which members express negative concepts.
* Silence can mean agreement, disagreement, or contemplation. So, be careful not to make assumptions.
* Some cultures have great difficulty expressing disagreement or disapproval. They will find a variety of ways to say “no.” Use clarifying language whenever possible.

Here’s one more example of our global economy creating an even greater demand for American multinationals to be culturally astute and present around the world. Check out this article in the International Herald Tribune.