Ep.29: Beyond Borders - Global Mobility at SAP with Susanne Günther, Maximilian Schröder and Stefan Remhof

Show notes

Summary: In this episode of the Global People Mobility Podcast, Susanne Günther and Max Schröder from SAP discuss the topic of Beyond Borders Global Mobility at SAP. They introduce the evolutionary framework that SAP has implemented to understand past developments and derive future trends in global mobility. The framework consists of seven dimensions and four phases, which represent the transformation of global mobility within the company. They also discuss the perceived business value of global mobility at SAP, the importance of global mindset and leadership in international assignments, and the main trends observed in the wider global mobility space.

Takeaways:

• SAP has implemented an evolutionary framework to understand past developments and derive future trends in global mobility.
• The perceived business value of global mobility at SAP includes supporting business travelers and relocations, enabling long-term development of employees and organizations, and providing strategic support in building new entities.
• Global mindset and global leadership are crucial in managing international assignments and leading diverse teams.
• Main trends in the wider global mobility space include the need to align with company requirements, changing demands from employees and candidates, focus on health and safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, IT developments, and external factors like geopolitical developments.
• Global mobility departments need to adapt to constant change and use it as an opportunity to improve.

Authors: Susanne Günther, 18 years of experience with Mobility, before that working in Expat Payroll. As a Global Mobility Manager, I oversee an international team of Global Mobility experts that support our business with all topics around long-term relocations. Also, I am acting as a vendor manager for our RCM and particularly support our senior executives when they relocate internationally. Before I joined SAP I was working in the HR department of Fiducia IT and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen.

Maximilian Schröder, 5 years of experience with Mobility. As a Global Mobility Senior Consultant, I am supporting several countries in Europe and the CIS region. Additionally, I am vendor manager for two of our global vendors. Before joining SAP Global Mobility I was working in various functions for SAP and Siemens.

Stefan Remhof is the Managing Partner of the People Mobility Alliance and Professor of International Management at IU International University. He is a recognised expert in global mobility, expat management, and international assignments.