LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- One of the best terms of the 21st century is "global connectivity." Composed of three elements -- (1) entrepreneurial and energetic individuals, (2) the Internet and (3) the English language -- global connectivity serves not only to exchange information and ideas but also to create wealth. A poor Bangladeshi entrepreneur of textile-design software, with no means to borrow, was able through "connectivity" to find clients in Washington State and Milan. Three years later his business is roaring, and some 150 jobs have been created.
Late last month I was invited to Bled, Slovenia, to speak to the 10th Annual Meeting of the Central and Eastern European Management Development Association, or CEEMAN, which consists of educators, entrepreneurs and officials from 24 central and eastern European countries and a number of other nations, including the European Union states, the United States, Canada, India but unfortunately -- though typically -- not Japan.
About 100 people attended the meeting. A dozen years ago such a meeting would have been unfathomable. Yet here it was, taking place with open discussions on the management challenges of economies in transition, the problems of corporate governance in both the East and West, and the implications for business leadership and business education. Everyone spoke in very fluent, even if accented, English, and everyone remains connected via e-mail and the CEEMAN Web site.