CeBIT 2009

Well, I'm trying to figure out if there's a chance I can attend CeBIT 2009 in Hannover next March. I don't know. I'd like to attend for several reasons. First, on a personal level, I have a number of friends in Hannover that I'd love to see and visit over the course of a few days. Second, it's one of those big trade shows that I've read about for many years and have never been to, so I'd at least like to see what the fuss is all about. Third, if I can accomplish some good advance planning, I'd like to see if I could arrange few job interviews. I haven't given up that dream of this global career I've been wanting...

Chance to restore US reputation abroad ?

I've become a huge fan of Fareed Zakaria over the past couple of years. Every time I read his essays, or see him on television, I become more impressed with his grasp of politics and world affairs. I look at all the places I've seen or read him recently and I just can't imagine how anyone has the time to do all that he does.

Take, for example, this snippet from a recent column in Newsweek:

"I will not exaggerate the importance of a single personality, but Obama has become a global symbol like none I can recall in my lifetime...." "Were his administration to demonstrate in its day-to-day conduct a genuine understanding of other countries' perspectives and an empathy for the aspirations of people around the world, it could change America's reputation in lasting ways.

This is a rare moment in history. A more responsive America, better attuned to the rest of the world, could help create a new set of ideas and institutions—an architecture of peace for the 21st century that would bring stability, prosperity and dignity to the lives of billions of people."

Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, 2008.11.29

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Another transatlantic proposal ?

Wow ! This is interesting - discussions about a merger between the NYSE and the Börse ? For now, both parties are saying that the deal has fallen through, but now that the door has been cracked open, my bet is that this deal is still on the table.

But now that the Börse has indicated it's receptive to a merger, would anyone be really surprised if another exchange decides to throw its hat in the ring?

My would be global life...

I've always considered myself a globalist. Since I've returned from a whirlwind trip to Germany earlier this year, I believe this now more than ever. I say this having never even lived abroad - in spite of always wishing I could do so one day.

What defines a Global Individual? Is it reading The Economist? Watching Deutsche Welle? Vacationing in London ? Is it being an ex-pat or on a global assignment for one's firm? Not necessarily.

To me, this comes from having an understanding of and respect for other peoples and cultures, and as much as possible, having a sense of empathy for their history, ethnicities, languages. Not only that, but wanting to know more...

It's the greatest disappointment of my professional life that I never developed the international career I sought for so long. Living and working across the globe. Tuesday in London, Thursday in Brussels. Two weeks later in Chicago and LA. Next month, Seoul and Shanghai. That sort of thing. I wanted it so badly, I could feel it. Yet, I still consider myself a Global Individual. I maintain a large network of friends and contacts all across the world. Even though I am many years outside of high school, I *still* practice my German and French language studies on an almost daily basis. I skim the local news in London, Berlin, and Paris too. On October 3, Reunification Day in Germany, I was exchanging thoughts with my friends who were in Berlin when the wall came down. Am I a 'global citizen' ? To some, perhaps not, but to me, as long as I remain open-minded about the fact that there are others I share this planet with, and I care about how the other 90% live, yes.”

Interesting global tidbit of the day...

So here's an interesting tidbit that took me completely by surprise. I was reading my favorite online newspaper and learned that Switzerland didn't even join the United Nations until 2002. It's not that much of a surprise for me to know that they're not in the EU - after all, that's been e a contentious issue within some countries, and the Swiss are known for their independence and neutrality, but that UN thing was a big surprise. Now I'm wondering if there are any other 1st world countries that aren't in the UN.

The article wasn't even about this - its focus was how Switzerland's economic strength is weakening due to the global credit crisis - a problem that is exacerbated by its reliance on banking as the #1 industry, but it was the UN thing that really got my attention.

The expat life ?

Once again, I've read that US firms are finding it difficult to find employees willing to accept a transfer abroad. It seems that employees are worried about the hardships that would be faced by their families in a strange land as well as a perceived concern that by being so far away, these employees might be overlookeded, or may seem 'invisible' to the kingmakers back home and thus would miss out on possible opportunities for career advancement.

As to the first item, that's a perfectly understandable issue, but it can be addressed by good research up front, tapping the large network of expats who have gone before, using the resources offered by the sponsoring firm, and finally using the internet to really learn about the community to which you could be joining.

The second item just doesn't make sense to me at all. In this era of globalism and multiculturalism, what would-be executive wouldn't want to grab at a chance to add some true international experience to one's resume?

The frustrating thing to me is that this is all I've wanted to do - ever since I began working. Sad to say, I've never been with a company that would offer me this chance. There's got to be a reason I keep practicing my German and French on an almost daily basis. Is anyone out there listening?

Perhaps a bit of European Soul Searching ?

I have a great number of contacts across the globe - everywhere from Western Europe, to the Gulf States (Dubai, Saudi Arabia) and then further east, over to the Phillipines, Malaysia, Australia, and Vietnam.

Without exception, my global friends have been thrilled by the recent election here in the US and our soon to be new executive leadership. All the while, it has me reflecting on the state of race relations both here, and especially abroad.

The consensus seems to be that race relations are better here then elsewhere and that minorities - especially in Europe - won't be tapped (chosen, elected, whatever) for the highest offices in the forseeable future. Obama's election has induced a good amount of soul searching amongst the literati and intelligentsia, as well as the hoi polloi - especially in Europe.

Hence, these recent articles in the International Herald Tribune:

Can Europe produce an Obama?

Inspired by Obama, European minorities take action

Greens in Germany pick son of Turks as leader

France names Cameroon native to top regional post

Of course, Obama's rise to prominance happened virtually overnight (politically speaking). Who knows what will happen when a leader of color appears on the horizon in the UK, France, or Germany with the right combination of intelligence, charisma, looks, and ambition?

To globalize or not to globalize ?

I keep reading one article or another about 'globalization' (which seems to have no universally accepted definition). To some, it simply means offshoring jobs to lower-cost countries and results in increased unemployment at home along with poorer quality goods and services. To those who accept this definition, 'globalization' is a dirty word, and something to be avoided.
To others (myself included), this reallocation of of manufacturing and service jobs to economies that can perform the work more efficiently and economically is an example of true Darwinian economics. It's obviously unpleasant to those negatively affected by job loss (and I've been among them), but I don't have a problem with offshoring in general because it forces companies, countries, and economies to focus their resources on areas in which they can operate most efficiently.

Over time - perhaps even a generation - there should develop some sort of parity. Jobs lost in the US will gradually drive resources to create new markets that are based less on manufacturing and more on providing professional services, design, quality craftsmenship, transportation and the like. Meanwhile, manufacturing jobs sent overseas must maintain and grow their competitive advantage in cost and product quality or risk losing these jobs. We've seen what's happened with a lack of quality control in some of the goods manufactured in China - tainted baby formula, dangerous childrens' toys, tainted pet food - the backlash was rapid and severe. There will always be a market for quality goods at market prices. International tariffs and price controls muddy the waters obviously, but they dont' make a bad product good or vice versa.

Finally putting the passport to good use

My wanderlust got the better of me, and I recently returned from a short visit to a city I've always wanted to visit - Berlin. I wrote this short blog so my family and friends could keep up with my activities. Travelling solo made the trip relatively inexpensive - staying in a cheap hotel, eating lots street food, and window shopping does wonders to help one stay within budget.