Why an article about the role of the CEO in global mobility? After all, global mobility is about people and therefore isn’t Human Resources the department that should be handling the challenges? Doesn’t the CEO only need to maintain his connection with the head of Human Resources and leave it to them? The CEO also can’t handle everything alone, so it’s logical the responsibility would lie with the head of Human Resources.
While I believe those statements are true, I also believe that in the future, CEO’s will have a bigger role to play in global mobility. Just think of all the pressures that are being added to the labor and employment arena. It’s not only the smaller companies that can no longer find professionals. Larger, international companies are faced with staffing challenges as well. Finding where the talent is and then deciding if you go to the talent or have them come to you is a crucial part of the corporate journey. It’s about business goals and the future of the organization. Without the right people, a company does not have the foundation to survive and there is no chance of good returns. In short, the focus of the CEO plays a big part.
Apart from this basic business challenge, CEO’s can also take an active role in relation to the various risks surrounding global mobility. Risks that are increasingly common in companies that operate internationally. For example, consider the increased focus on shifting revenues and costs into an international tax context. Global mobility can easily have implications in corporate taxes. Choosing locations and sites may create tax liabilities which can create financial consequences at a corporate level. The increasingly strict controls at borders and customs can lead to unwanted situations that can radiate through the company. Compliance in global mobility is about more than just finance. There is no damage like damage to a reputation.
Does global mobility simply mean a lot for problems for a CEO? No, of course not. I would say it is a unique opportunity for the CEO to shape the company’s future by implementing a modern and effective global mobility policy. Global mobility can be a huge help and possibly even a decisive factor in an international company being prepared for the future. In short, global mobility is not just a way to get more jobs done or to develop talent, but rather a full-fledged strategic corporate tool.