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Striving for Borderless Experiences for Kids

As part of every SAP Radio show wrap-up, the panelists predict how things will change five years into the future. For us, Bonnie asked, “What will the state of globalization be in business?” One of my predictions was that more young employees will have global exposure, through programs where they build schools in India, found clinics in Africa, or teach English in Japan or China. Companies will need to foster that global perspective instead of putting entry-level employees in a totally local bubble.

Dr. Steven Hunt disagreed with me a little, stating that not enough young workers have that global exposure, especially if they aren’t college-educated. What we both agreed on, however, is that global exposure needs to begin earlier in education … at the primary school level.

In order to build borderless education, companies can sponsor internships, camps, and educational competitions so children can gain exposure to other people, beliefs, and ways of working. Changing the environment and introducing kids to new ideas begins to make them more comfortable with the unexpected. When kids also travel to other states, they see beyond their local situation.

Not all education systems have the funding to foster this themselves, and that can also be said for families working with tight budgets. Consider education development part of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Use these camps or competitions at early ages to help increase the number of students starting international projects earlier in their lives.

By getting kids involved in borderless programs, like founding clinics in Africa or schools in India, you’ll be part of growing a workforce that takes the initiative to start something. Those will be the leaders you want in your company.

This post is part of the series from the SAP Radio show – HR Globalization, Ready or Not?

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