Are you Ready to Lead Global Learning

In this paper, we consider the ways that global leaders can promote global learning in their companies. Global learning occurs when ideas cross organizational boundaries, so that managers in all parts of the company can learn from each other. Through global learning, effective business practices can be identified and spread across the company, insuring that good ideas are adopted, regardless of their origin. These ideas become “global best practices” when they define an idea that can be applied globally, with some local modification if required. In the first section, we ask four questions to help you determine if your company is prepared for global learning. Answering “yes” means that your company has a global orientation, which provides the foundation for global learning. Second, we present a model of global learning. Third, we suggest ways that you can build the capacity for global learning in your own company.