I imagine in my mind international companies with headquarters in the U.S. assigning American employees new "duty stations" around the globe for a few years and then returning them back home. This certainly would be true with countries friendly with our country. Visas, paperwork, documentation is cumbersome but the procedure is well known and completed to the satisfaction of all concerned.
But the economic downturn is a global one. No one really is doing business they way they were before 2008. Some countries, like Greece, has not only heard the bell, they are lying on the boxing ring floor. Other countries have heard their bell ring, others are waiting in the wings, and the United States government is over $15 trillion in debt. What has this do with small business/employment?
Many businesses are looking for new markets. These businesses need people "on the ground" to meet with others and engage in discussions, contracts, and build from the ground up a presence in a new place. Many are considering venturing into new territory, as in outside of the borders of the United States.
You may want to choose someone from the home office here in America to get things going. Beware, you may not have as much choice as you used to because of the global unemployment situation, even if it is in a "friendly" country.
For example, SHRM reports the United Kingdom is going to issue less visas than before. This is to protect their own citizens and perhaps see that their unemployed find jobs. The U.K. also plan to have restrictions on visas and will show up unannounced at a company to make sure they are compliant. This includes software the official can check describing employees with visas, their visas' expiration dates, and when/why they took time off from their job(illness, holiday, vacation). Please see: U.K. Border Agency’s website.
If you are planning on expanding your markets, do your homework. Leave nothing to chance. Include these websites in your research:
http://www.sba.gov/content/us-export-assistance-centers
http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2889
No comments:
Post a Comment