World Wise Case Studies

I. Managing Cross-Border Partnerships

Challenge

A large multinational company wished to re-establish a strained relationship with a government owned firm in Saudi Arabia, and partner on a new infrastructure project.

Approach

Following an assessment of both the situation and the client’s history in the region, World Wise formulated a strategy that included:

  • Delineating the near- and long-term business goals and concerns of both parties
  • Providing step-by-step analysis as to how the joint venture should be managed from the Saudi perspective
  • Developing communication strategies for current and future Board members and senior leaders focused on Saudi culture and business interaction to optimize the partnership  

Outcomes

  • Mutual understanding and dialogue was enhanced, and consequently the company successfully developed the project  
  • Specific modules were established for senior managers that spanned eight years, ensuring sustained learning and collaboration

II. Build Trust, Improve Global Team

...build trust improve global team...
In 1995, a Japanese equity investor was preparing to significantly increase their stake in an energy consortium with Western partners, operating in select territories within the Russian Far East.

Challenge

World Wise was retained to help address two pressing needs: to build trust between nationalities with conflicting political and cultural histories; and to improve the capabilities of global teams comprised of over 15 nationalities that supported multi-billion dollar projects.

Approach

World Wise designed a series of Global Skills training programs that would meet the immediate client needs, and which would ultimately evolve into a 10-year relationship to develop the consortium’s efficacy in the region.  Principal activities included:    

  • Delivering Global Skills training for a) Japanese investors; b) Russian partners; and c) Western teams on mutual business culture and skills towards the formulation of high-performance global teams
  • Enhancing on-the-job training opportunities for Russian technicians to raise their overall competency levels
  • Designing and administering “train-the-trainer” programs across various regions of the world for other corporate entities investing in the consortium, thereby expanding the number and range of employees capable of contributing towards the success of the venture.

Outcomes

  • Training programs allowed parties to accelerate knowledge transfer and quickly build capacity
  • A unified global team culture was established focused on developing the industry at a rapid pace 
  • New Russian hires achieved a reputation for a very high standard of work and expatriated to other global locations, thus providing significant cost savings    

III. New Strategic Global Partnership

As a North American energy company continued to grow its business, it entered into new strategic global partnerships and looked to hire more global talent. 

Challenge

Develop global technology teams to meet growing project demands, and enhance collaboration among all of the client’s international affiliates to seamlessly provide expertise across borders.

Approach

Given the scope and scale of the company’s operations, World Wise designed a variety of multiple-site, Global Skills initiatives, including:

  • Training for over 1,000 employees representing 45 nationalities focused on practical skills to help work through cultural challenges and barriers in the work place
  • Providing coaching that would broaden and deepen participants’ understanding of the effect of globalization on the company’s business and impact on teamwork
  • Educating participants on concepts pertaining to intercultural communication, managing relationships, problem solving, decision making and building lasting partnerships for business success
  • Developing the means of articulating the company’s corporate values such that they proved meaningful to all nationalities

Outcome

  • Company-wide training programs resulted in greater mutual awareness and cooperation among affiliates and newly established high-performance teams across the company, which are now tasked with the execution of all global projects  
  • Overall competency and knowledge share of integrated global talent was significantly raised, enhancing overall performance
  • Newly established framework was implemented to ensure sustainable global relationship management and training modules for all new employees 

IV. The Best M & A's

...global skills conflict resolution...
A large North American industrial company had undertaken a substantial investment with a partner company in Indonesia and its Government partner.

Challenge

The company was encountering pushback from disgruntled local employees who felt certain promises were not being met.  Employee complaints resulted in negative media coverage and the involvement of the Government partner.

Approach

World Wise was retained to determine the best means by which to resolve the conflict and strengthen the working culture between the partners.  The strategic approach included:

  • Designing training programs for senior managers of both partner companies that would mitigate mutual misconceptions and reinforce cultural understanding and trust. 
  • Joint training of 50 senior managers and employees that centered on overcoming contrasts in hierarchy, and aided knowledge share and cooperation.
  • Establishing benchmarks for improved performance and enhanced accountability for all concerned managers and employees.

Outcome

  • A more cooperative working environment was established enhancing overall  performance of the joint venture and relationship between partners 
  • As viewed by the Government partner in Indonesia, the initiative reflected the goodwill of the North American industrial company looking to establish a long-term relationship in-country