Many of you have seen the Ron Howard film “Gung Ho.”  While the film is a comedy,  cultural differences and management style can create real challenges for human resource departments.  Throughout the film, there are numerous examples of how Japanese culture contrasts with US culture.  How do the cultural values of individualism and collectivism affect the role of HR?  Employee motivation and incentives often vary by culture.  How does a foreign company adapt to US cultural differences?  What is HR’s role in bridging these gaps?  Learn the answers to these questions and more at our November educational program.

Houston is a world-class international city.  According to the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston is home to almost 800 foreign-owned firms.  Business costs in Houston are also significantly lower than many other major cities around the world.

Presenter:

Athan Katsilometes is currently a Regional Human Resources Director with CEMEX – a multinational corporation that focuses on production, marketing, distribution, and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and other construction materials.  CEMEX has operations in North America, Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.  Mr. Katsilometes has 15 years of experience in HR and Management Consulting and has worked internationally for companies such as McKinsey and Company and Nucor Steel.

Mr. Katsilometes holds a Bachelor degree in Spanish and Business Administration from the University of Idaho and a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California.  In addition, he is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).  Mr. Katsilometes has lived and worked throughout the United States, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico and Colombia and speaks English and Spanish fluently.

Don’t miss this important and timely presentation!

Click here to view the embedded video.

You are invited to the July education program of the Houston
International HR Roundtable.

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.