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Building a pipeline of global leaders

International experience

A little more than a year ago, Christopher Tun was reading a social media discussion that mentioned Deloitte was exploring possible business opportunities to support clients in Myanmar. Tun, a Deloitte U.S. consulting manager at the time, is a native of the country and had recently returned from a visit there. So, he offered to get involved.

Tun relocated to Myanmar, joining the Deloitte Southeast Asia member firm, and, today, is helping build the Myanmar practice, connecting clients to a full range of professional services, including tax, consulting, and financial advisory. His experience reflects a new reality.

International opportunity is a cornerstone of our talent experience and is central to Deloitte's client, talent, and growth strategies. Clients depend on our member firm professionals' skills and capabilities to handle complex, cross-border issues. Clients also expect Deloitte leaders and teams to have international experience and global mindsets, making them able to serve clients well wherever they operate.

We believe the best way to meet those demands is to make international experience a priority and have the learning, programs, and technology in place to facilitate it. This commitment makes Deloitte member firms attractive not only to potential clients, but also to talented professionals.

A world of opportunity

Deloitte's people gain international experience in several ways: moving to and working in other geographies; short- and long-term international business travel; and working on international teams or projects, often virtually from a variety of locations, thanks to technologies and tools that connect Deloitte professionals around the world.

People who want to learn more about working internationally have many options. Career conversations can provide touch points for registering interest in foreign assignments. Opportunities in virtually every region of the world are posted and searchable from a dedicated intranet site. Our professionals also have online access to information and tools to help them before, during, and after an international assignment. The Cultural Navigator, for example, is a self-assessment program that helps people understand and manage assumptions about others from different backgrounds.

Deloitte's commitment to international experience is evident in the visible and vocal support of member firm leaders. During FY2013, the total number of international assignments—nearly 5,800—represented an 8 percent increase from the prior year. Many of these assignments were in emerging markets, where diverse cultural skills and cross-border business experience are especially valuable in driving growth.

Developing globally minded leaders and borderless thinking are also objectives of the DTTL Global Advisory Council. Made up of young partners from member firms around the world, the council acts as a sounding board and advisory group for the DTTL Global CEO and the Executive. These international ambassadors promote global, As One behavior by sharing leading practices, knowledge, and skills across the network.

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