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Subject:FW: QUERY: Going international From:"Eric J. Ray" <ejray -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 18 Dec 1998 09:56:39 -0700
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Caruso, Tony
>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 5:13 PM
>To: 'Copyedit'
>Subject: QUERY: Going international
>
>Hello all,
>
>Our Maryland, U.S.A.-based company opened three international offices this
>year, and plans are on the horizon to add a few more in 1999. (Our company
>has 11 regional offices right now in the U.S.) The company does custom
>software development, training, documentation, manufacturing consulting, and
>project management consulting.
>
> We recently had an outside company, which specializes in globalization,
>localization, and translation services, conduct its own 2-day course at our
>corporate headquarters. We wanted to see firsthand what they instruct and
>how they instruct people, who work for U.S.-based companies, and what they
>can expect when they go "international" with their companies.
>
>Their course was very interesting, and it touched on some key points. We're
>in the process of customizing this course so it meets our company's needs.
>For example, our company has its own work processes; hardcopy, software, and
>training methodologies; and culture. We want to make sure we place enough
>emphasis on these in the customized in-house course as the company continues
>its strong international growth.
>
>I'd be interested in hearing from you off line and sharing your thoughts and
>observations on the following:
>
>* What key points should U.S.-based companies remember and follow when
>they expand their businesses internationally?
>
>* What strategies work best when U.S.-developed work processes and
>methodologies meet other cultures?
>
>* How obvious are the obvious things we're overlooking right now?
>
>I know we "can't do it all" in an in-house course like this, and I
>understand that we will continue to "learn as we go."
>
>I would, however, appreciate your feedback on the "shoulds," "should nots."
>and "watchouts" as we continue to gather data in this early stage.
>
>We also want to include supplemental materials for our employees. Any
>suggestions for a supplemental book, booklet, brochure, videos, or pertinent
>web sites are also welcome.
>
>Many thanks again for being a great online source of information!!
>
>Tony Caruso
>Editor
>RWD Technologies, Inc.
>Tcaruso -at- rwd -dot- com <mailto:Tcaruso -at- rwd -dot- com>
>