Author: Greg Shrewsbury

I’ve always heard that the value of networking is unmatched when it comes to finding great careers opportunities.   This is definitely true.

I’ve had the privilege of engaging and interacting with the Houston International HR Roundtable over the past year.   What it has afforded me is the realization of a very important career goal—true international exposure via a two year assignment in Paris, France!

I was approached about this opportunity through a contact at the roundtable.  Because of the roundtable connection, I was interviewed and ultimately offered the role of Vice President of Human Resources at Technip-North America…a journey that will start in Paris.

I can’t stress the importance of networking with colleagues at the appropriate level.  I feel the International HR Roundtable is the best organization in Houston that addresses international issues and mobilization for senior HR leaders.

We are all presented with prospects, and we have to take advantage of them as they arise.  This is true in our personal lives and our professional lives.   Participating in and supporting the right organizations are essential.

I would like to thank Larry and the roundtable for “getting me connected” with the right international career opportunity.  Merci!

I wish the Larry and the roundtable continued success.

À la prochaine!

[Editors Note:  We are happy to welcome back Greg Shrewsbury as a Guest Author.  Greg is now Vice President, Human Resources-North America for Technip.  We wish Greg the best of luck on his new adventure in Paris.]

You are invited to the July education program of the Houston
International HR Roundtable. Edward Franco of Aon Consulting will speak on:

China: Strategic HR, Business, and Cultural Issues

• Cultural implications for China’s future
• Demographic issues
• Retention
  
• Employment issues
  
• Doing Business in China (HR perspective and implications)
  
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Eddie will be providing numerous real-life examples of doing business in China from an HR perspective. His
presentation will provide an understanding of how cultural issues affect strategic HR issues and how it is different than in the US. If your company is doing business in China, or considering it in the future, this is a program not to be missed!

Edward Franco is a Vice President with Aon Consulting and is based in Houston, Texas. He advises clients on global and international issues, including:

• Mergers, Acquisitions, Divestitures, and New Country Entry. Lead project management office, global due diligence and post-merger integration activities. Identify HR synergies and ensure activities support expected merger synergies.

• Business Training. Train M&A teams regarding global acquisitions and divestitures: developing M&A objectives, synergy development, project management, staffing and selection, engagement, communication, leadership and culture, HR policies and employment law, compensation and benefits, organization design, HRIS and HR delivery, due diligence simulation, integration simulation.

• Program Design. Analysis and design of organization effectiveness, compensation, and benefit programs around the world, including global programs and programs for international assignees.

Eddie has worked with many leading companies, governments and various
multilateral development organizationsa round the world. His experience includes designing and implementing national savings systems, advising on the separation and labor issues of employees in state owned enterprises, and global data privacy issues in business expansion and mergers and acquisitions. He has lived in Belgium, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, PRC, Singapore, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA and visited over 30 countries on business assignments. Eddie holds a Bachelor degree in mathematics for management from Brunel University.

Directions and Parking Information: Heritage Plaza is across from the downtown Doubletree Hotel.

Parking is available at the Doubletree hotel or Heritage Clay Street
Parking Garage, 200 Clay, Houston 77002.You can park at the Doubletree hotel and walk across the street to the building – proceed to the 45th floor. Alternatively, park in the Heritage Clay Street Parking Garage – address of the garage is 200 Clay Street, Houston, TX 77002. If you park in the Clay Street Garage, park in any space that is not marked “Reserved.” Take the elevator in the Clay Street Garage to the Basement (‘B’). Upon reaching Basement level, turn left and follow the hallway until you reach the wall with the large ‘H’ on it. Turn left and immediately on the right you will see two elevators. Take the elevator to the Sky Lobby (‘SL’). Once you reach the Sky Lobby, turn right and proceed to the middle bank of elevators. Proceed to the 45th floor to the Deloitte reception area – this is the floor where the meeting will take place.

2010 Host Sponsor - Deloitte Tax LLP

Please contact us regarding other sponsorship opportunities.

I have said it many times, “Houston is a great place to live.” I especially love being able to share all the wonderful things that Houston has to offer with people who are relocating here. True, this is an important part of my job as Director of Global Relocation Services at John Daugherty, Realtors, but it is also the truth. From our great shopping and restaurants, to all the great sporting events, arts and culture, parks and trails and much more…Houston really has it all.

Here’s a new one for you:
Houston is the Global Center of Excellence for International Human Resources.

For the past three years, I have been involved in the Houston International HR Roundtable. This is a fantastic group of individuals comprised of the HR community and the service professionals who work in partnership with them. During the time that I have been involved in this group, I have come to know its leader, Larry Scott, who has done an exceptional job at bringing great speakers and educational opportunities to the group. He has also incorporated networking Happy Hours, which has helped bring the members of this group together.

At the end of 2009, Larry Scott formalized the group, adding structure and varying levels of membership and sponsorship opportunities, while enhancing membership benefits. He now serves as president for the group and is the visionary for its future.

So, what is Houston International HR Roundtable?

Houston International HR Roundtable is committed to developing Houston as the Global Center of Excellence for International Human Resources. It is the leading education and networking professional organization in Houston for international HR professionals, including international and domestic service providers.

The vision of the group is to develop Houston as the Global Center of Excellence for international human resources.

I was absolutely thrilled when Larry approached me and asked me to Chair the Global Center of Excellence Committee. He felt that I would be a perfect fit, given my work within the Relocation Industry and the contacts that I have locally within the Houston Relocation and HR community.

The Global Center of Excellence Committee is focused on bringing increased recognition to Houston as the Global Center of Excellence for International Human Resources in accordance with the vision statement of Houston International HR Roundtable.   This committee works in conjunction with our other committees to promote Houston and its value as a global leader in international HR.  I am very excited to be the Chair of this important committee, and look very forward to assisting in bringing recognition to the Houston as the Global Center of Excellence.

If you are interested in membership or more information about Houston International HR Roundtable, please visit:
Houston International HR Roundtable.  To view upcoming events, please click here:  Events Calendar.

The above is reprinted by permission from the Houston Relocation Blog published by Michelle Sandlin, CRP.  Michelle is the Director, Global Relocation Services at John Daugherty.

Houston is one of the largest international HR markets in the world.  As the energy capitol, expatriate management and related services are Texas-sized businesses judging by the number (and quality) of our immigration lawyers, expatriate tax providers, and relocations companies.  We have a world-class infrastructure that connects us to the global community.  Houston is also incredibly diverse and we are home to 90 foreign consulate offices.

Reflecting Houston’s standing in the international HR community, we host a constant stream of international HR conferences.  In addition to our monthly events, Houston regularly hosts conferences by Families in Global Transition (FIGT), National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), Texas State Council of SHRM, and Global HR News.

Please send us a tweet or say hello in person when you are in Houston.  For further information on Houston as the Global Leader in international business, please visit the Greater Houston Partnership.

Welcome to Houston!

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This is the future of communication for international assignees!  OurWorldConnect is the world’s first private social network designed for people moving overseas. Specifically built for companies and organizations, OWC’s software platform delivers tools and resources for their international assignees in addition to the networking interface. Relocating someplace where you do not know anyone can be traumatic. Assignees tend to join work-related social networks, but spouses and family members have a much harder time making local contacts. International assignees and their families can connect to others moving to or living in the same destination and use the latest in online social media to get and stay connected. Like college students who know their classmates and roommates before showing up for school, connecting in advance of a major relocation can benefit the whole family and lead to a more successful assignment.

The Houston International HR Roundtable was a guest at the Global HR Executive Leadership Workshop™ yesterday.  Thank you to Ed Cohen for his hospitality!  Two of the highlights of the conference were the panel on global EAP and Michael Cadden’s presentation on OurWorldConnect.  OurWorldConnect is likely to change the way international assignees communicate with each other AND with their companies.  If you manage international assignees you need to see one of Michael’s presentations. You might even get to meet the Moose!

Brats Movie on YouTube

TCKs are defined as someone who, as a child, has spent a significant period of time in one or more culture(s) other than his or her own, thus integrating elements of those cultures and their own birth culture, into a third culture.  Barack Obama is probably the most famous TCK in the world. My own children are examples of TCKs.  I was born in the US and their mother was born in Vietnam.  My sons were two and a half and eight months old when I moved from Houston to Hong Kong in 1992.  During the time I lived in Hong Kong, they attended the Peak School (following a British curriculum) and Carmel Day School.  Then in 1994 I moved to Hanoi, Vietnam where they attended the French International School (French Curriculum “en Francaise”).  Well, after they were settled in Hanoi and fluent in French and Vietnamese, we moved to Kobe, Japan in 1997, where they attended Canadian Academy.  After that, it was back to Houston to finish elementary, middle, and high school (well almost).  Today, both of my sons have a global view of the world.  In honor of my sons, I’ve created a webpage just for TCKs and their families.  Let’s hear your stories too!