Are you an ‘expert’ in your field, having great knowledge or skill?
Are you ‘professional’ in your work practices with special education or training in a recognised profession or industry? Are you a ‘specialist’ in what you do?
I would like to think all of my clients see the first two attributes in me and my business when I work for them as their Global Mobility Strategic Advisor. However, no matter who you are, keeping your ‘expert’ status up to date with current trends and developments means you do have to upgrade your professional standards regularly or risk falling into the trap of having a limited, narrow focus on a specialised set of improved business solutions. One way to develop new skills in the field of International HR and employee mobility is to attend short seminars, webinars, conferences, workshops or product releases put on by vendors working in their respective disciplines. Or you could attend seminars and workshops held by associations that are not indirectly selling you something – they are just there to give you the information you need to grow and develop. If seminars and conferences are not your thing, then consider simply joining an industry body that offers you access to resources and information specific to your areas of interest. You can sign up to receive their newsletters (often for free) and many will encourage you to get involved sharing ideas with other members, writing articles to stimulate conversation, networking with your peers and keeping up-to-date with the latest innovations and business solutions available. If you’re looking for something a little more personal, then consider asking your boss to include an industry specialist coach,mentor,or strategic advisor in your training regime to help guide you or your team on their professional development journey. Adding value is all about delivering – a coach or advisor can help you deliver and demonstrate value to the broader business, leaving you to reap the professional recognition whilst developing your own skills. Last but by no means least on your to do list – you can look to complete more formal industry training. Courses offered by independent bodies, have global content and address today’s mobility challenges from both an operational and strategic perspective, are a good place to start. As an example, The Employee Mobility Institutes ‘Managing a Mobile Workforce’ on-line training course was written by senior global mobility professionals working in multinational organisations. This 3 – 4 hour on-line course provides an insight into the changing face of global mobility and what it actually means in 2015. It looks at the different structures in place around the globe and provides participants the opportunity to identify how these models could be employed within their own mobility program. Policy frameworks are created, global supply chains are discussed and an up to date look at talent management and mobility is explored. Once you commence you can stop and start as often as you want and there is a workbook to help you navigate and examine your own case study. Regular knowledge checks feature throughout and at the end you can complete a multiple choice examination and receive a Certificate as recognition of your studies.
There are lots of options out there to help you maintain your expert status and update your professional skills. As Sheri Staak, business leader, motivator, author says – “leaders are dedicated to self-improvement.
Being the one in charge doesn’t mean you know everything or have all the answers. If you’re a WOW leader, you realise that everyday is an opportunity to change, grow and learn”.
I would encourage you to get out there and explore!
Best Wishes,
Deborah CEO/Founder of The Employee Mobility Institute
