Aperian Global

Press Release
Aperian Global Announces Upgrades to GlobeSmart®, the Premier Online Global Business Resource

On the 10th Anniversary of GlobeSmart, an online reference tool utilized by hundreds of global corporations, international non-profit organizations, and government entities, Aperian Global announces a new suite of upgrades to the tool. In addition to many new countries being added to the site, GlobeSmart licensees now have access to a GlobeSmart mobile application, video vignettes of international workplace scenes, and more options for comparing one’s own cultural profile to profiles of colleagues and key countries.

San Francisco, CA, July 27, 2009

Last month, Aperian Global (www.aperianglobal.com), a global business consulting , training and web tools firm, announced a number of upgrades to GlobeSmart, its flagship web tool containing detailed information on how to conduct business effectively around the world. These upgrades make the site a more engaging, intuitive, and valuable resource to its worldwide user base of more than 320,000 global business professionals. The upgrades come at no additional cost to clients currently licensing GlobeSmart.

When an organization licenses GlobeSmart, employees worldwide have 24/7 access to detailed information on conducting business in 58 countries, with several new countries added each year. Users are able to instantly access practical, country-specific information on topics such as building relationships, communicating effectively, handling customer concerns, negotiating, managing meetings, and obtaining vital information.

Video clips have been added to GlobeSmart featuring typical global workplace interactions that illustrate how cultural differences can impact productivity, and related exercises show users how these differences can be bridged. The tool’s popular Self-Assessment Profile has been upgraded to enable individuals to compare their own profile to profiles of colleagues and profiles of target countries all at once. Many new countries are also being added to GlobeSmart, with Armenia, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea recently added, and Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Kazakhstan due for release by the end of third quarter, 2009

With the new version of GlobeSmart for mobile devices, users are now able to access country content from virtually anywhere, even when on the go.

Aperian Global’s clients are using GlobeSmart to support the performance of global employees in key strategic areas. The tool has been integrated into global leadership development programs, and is offered to employees going on international travel and international assignments. It is also used by employees working with colleagues, clients, partners, vendors, and other business counterparts around the world. The Globesmart self-assessment profile is an increasingly popular resource for global, virtual teams to help them understand and leverage team diversity as an asset.

GlobeSmart licensees may opt to add Custom Content that allows them to integrate their company’s own proprietary content for easy dissemination to employees. This feature provides organizations with the capability to gather and deliver company-specific knowledge on topics such as Local Business Issues, Subsidiary Operations, Expatriate Life, Business Travel, Regional Initiatives, etc.

GlobeSmart is often utilized as part of a blended solution for Aperian Global clients, accessed by participants for pre-work and post-work in combination with instructor-led training programs. It also used in interactive activities during the training itself.

Since the first version of GlobeSmart was released in 1999, the web tool has been in continuous development. Like the many other improvements made to the tool over the years, the latest upgrades are all driven by client needs and interests. Ted Dale, Aperian Global’s Chief Creative Officer comments: “Our client partnerships are invaluable in determining our web tool development priorities as well as the details of how the various in-demand features take shape. We rely on their input to ultimately co-create solutions that will meet the needs of their employee populations.”

For additional information on Aperian Global’s GlobeSmart web tool, contact Mark Rieper (contact details below), or visit www.aperianglobal.com.

About Aperian Global:

Aperian Global assists clients in developing the capabilities of individuals, teams, and organizations to work effectively across cultures. The company offers consulting, training, and web tool services to corporate, non-profit, and government organizations in the areas of Global Business Transformation, Global Talent Development, and Global Assignment Services. Aperian Global has offices in China, Denmark, France, India, Japan, UAE, and the U.S., and staff and associates on the ground in over eighty locations worldwide.

Contact:
Mark Rieper, Director, Global Business Development
Aperian Global
+1.617.502.8668
http://www.aperianglobal.com

###

Press Release
Aperian Global Announces Launch of e-Learning Modules for a Global Workforce

San Francisco, CA, 1 May, 2008

In response to marketplace demand for a variety of learning modalities to address employees' global business learning needs, Aperian Global has developed a series of e-learning modules that are now available for purchase. These online learning sessions focus on business skills required to achieve maximum performance from global, virtual teams. They provide individuals with self-guided learning that delves into differences in business behaviors across cultures and explores best practices for effective virtual teams.

Aperian Global, a global business consulting, training and web tools firm, announces the release of the first set in a series of e-learning modules to address the global business needs of employees working on virtual teams. This set is especially relevant for Westerners working virtually with colleagues, clients, partners, and other business associates in India. It will be followed by the upcoming release of a set of modules for Indians working with the U.S., then Westerners working with Chinese counterparts, and so on.

Aperian Global's e-learning modules were developed in response to client demand for engaging, asynchronous, online learning options that address the impact of cultural differences when working internationally and that employees can use anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. The first four modules, for Westerners working with counterparts in India, cover four key skill sets that support virtual team performance: Getting Commitment, Managing Project Timelines, Resolving Issues, and Virtual Team Meetings.

These modules build upon work developed recently for the U.S. Department of Defense. Through the Army Research Laboratory's Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) project, Aperian Global created GlobeSmart Commander and GlobeSmart Soldier. GlobeSmart Commander was designed for military officers, to raise awareness in multinational teams, and to demonstrate the impact that those differences have on the ability of team members to work together effectively. GlobeSmart Soldier was created for use by U.S. Soldiers deployed to Iraq, to help them understand and interact more effectively with the Iraqi people. These models of e-learning served as a springboard to create the modules now available for the business world.

According to Ted Dale, Aperian Global's Chief Creative Officer: "Aperian is committed to creating a truly unique series of engaging e-learning tools that help business people understand and interact more effectively with those who come from different parts of the world.

These online modules respond our clients' needs for creative and economical ways to address the learning needs of geographically dispersed employee populations. Especially when budgets are tight and travel is restricted, virtual learning solutions are in demand. They are easy-to-use, require very little internet bandwidth, and allow users to go as deep as they wish in exploring the reasons behind the differing assumptions and behaviors of global colleagues, clients and partners."

About Aperian Global

Aperian Global is a consulting, training and web tool services firm that serves clients worldwide to address their business needs associated with working globally. The company offers services to corporate, non-profit, and government organizations in the areas of Global Business Transformation, Global Talent Development, and Global Assignment Services. Aperian Global has offices in Paris, Copenhagen, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Boston and staff and associates on the ground in over eighty locations worldwide.

Press Contacts

Lyrae Myxter, Director, Global Marketing

Phone: +1 415 321 7972

Email: lmyxter@aperianglobal.com

###

Press Release
GLOBESMART COMMANDER and GLOBESMART SOLDIER: Helping Remove the Fog of War

San Francisco, CA, 9 April, 2007 – Aperian Global, one of the world's leading intercultural consulting and training firms, today announced the launch of GlobeSmart® Commander and GlobeSmart® Soldier, two new innovative Web tools developed through funding from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Imagine being responsible for coordinating a massive logistical initiative in the midst of combat and all of the accompanying chaos, working with a team made up of people who are from different nationalities, who certainly have different cultural biases and impressions, and likely speak different languages. That, in a nutshell, is a snapshot of the problems facing people involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. But thanks to GlobeSmart Commander and GlobeSmart Soldier, two new tools funded by the Army Research Laboratory's Human Research & Engineering Directorate (ARL HRED) as second phase Small Business Innovative Research - or SBIR - projects, military personnel may soon find their jobs easier.

GlobeSmart Commander
GlobeSmart Commander (www.globesmartcommander.com) is designed to raise awareness in multinational teams about cultural differences that exist among team members, and to demonstrate the impact that those differences have on the ability of team members to work effectively together.

"GlobeSmart Commander is an innovative tool that will help prepare our military officers to respond and adapt to complex, changing circumstances," said Dr. Linda Pierce, chief of the Soldier Performance Division at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). "Awareness of one's own values, assumptions, and behaviors, is critical to our officers' ability to communicate effectively with their foreign counterparts, carry out plans, and achieve their missions. This is why we are so excited about making GlobeSmart Commander available to our officers in the field."

GlobeSmart Soldier
Aperian Global developed a second tool with ARL called GlobeSmart Soldier (http://www2.aperianglobal.com/files/gssoldier). The goal of the GlobeSmart Soldier project was to create an application for use by U.S. soldiers deployed to Iraq that will help them understand and interact more effectively with the Iraqi people. GlobeSmart Soldier will give U.S. soldiers a greater awareness of the local culture in which they are operating,and the increased ability to effectively achieve their objectives with the local people they encounter on a daily basis.

In addition to information about local customers, values and history from the perspectives of Americans and Iraqis, GlobeSmart Soldier provides practice interacting with Iraqis during house searches and foot patrols through the use of interactive graphic narratives. A "Names & Phrases" module allows users to listen to audio filesof spoken Arabic names and useful phrases for military operations. Users with microphones in their computers have the additional capability of recording and playing back their own pronunciation of Arabic names and phrases and comparing their attempts with the native speakers' pronunciation.

"We initiated development of GlobeSmart Soldier in response to Army leadership requests and suggestions from post-deployment soldiers to impart cultural awareness information through the use of practical exercises about what to do when interacting with Iraqi civilians rather than what not to do," said Dr. Melissa Dixon, the ARL HRED technical point of contact for GlobeSmart Soldier. "We believe that GlobeSmart Soldier will increase the cognitive readiness of soldiers who will interact with Iraqi civilians on a daily basis."

About the SBIR Program and Aperian Global's GLOBESMART Tools
GlobeSmart Commander is the product of the second phase of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project funded by ARL's Human Research & Engineering Directorate. The SBIR program is a highly competitive, three-phase award system which provides qualified small business concerns with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the Federal Government. One requirement of the program is that the products be commercialized within a two-year timeframe. Aperian Global plans to release a non-military version of the product, GlobeSmart® Advisor, to the corporate market in the second quarter of 2007.

All three tools are derived from Aperian Global's flagship web tool called GlobeSmart® (www.globesmart.com) which has been marketed primarily to corporate customers since 1999 and is widely viewed as a best-in-class online learning tool. GlobeSmart provides global organizations with easy access to information on conducting business with people from 50+ countries. GlobeSmart addresses the greatest cause of difficulties in global business interactions -- the challenges of relating and communicating successfully with counterparts from other countries.

"We are honored to create the GlobeSmart Commander and GlobeSmart Soldier tools under the SBIR program. The SBIR program is truly a great opportunity for small businesses like ours," said Ted Dale, chief creative officer and co-founder of Aperian Global. "It has given us the opportunity to apply our expertise in the field of intercultural communication and our technology development capabilities in a way that can potentially have a tremendously positive impact on the world. We thank ARL for the opportunity to partner on these projects."

About Aperian Global
Aperian Global is one of the world's leading consulting firms specializing in intercultural management consulting and training. Aperian is distinguished by its:

Well-recognized international clients:
- 70% of the Fortune Top 10
- 25% of global 1000 companies
- Government agencies such as NATO, the U.S. Army
- International organizations such as UNICEF
Cutting-edge Web tools that are benchmarks in the field
Highly qualified staff consultants based throughout the US, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe
Team of experts in the areas of Global Leadership, Off shoring, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Multicultural Teams, Cross-Border M&A/Joint Ventures and Global Mobility

Aperian Global has more than 85 consultants in 40+ locations around the globe, with offices in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia/Pacific.

Press Contacts

Sally Lee, Coordinator, Global Marketing              Lyrae Myxter, Director, Global Marketing
Phone: +1 415 321 7930                                          Phone: +1 415 321 7972
Email: slee@aperianglobal.com                            Email: lmyxter@aperianglobal.com

                                                                            # # #

Press Release:
MeridianEaton Global Announces New Company Name – Aperian Global^TM

San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, 18 October, 2006 – MeridianEaton Global, the global consulting and training firm formed in June of last year through the merger of San Francisco-based Meridian Resources and Boston-based Eaton Consulting Group, today announced the company’s new name – Aperian Global^TM. The name change is part of a larger re-branding initiative that reflects the firm’s vision and expanded global capabilities.

“Our new name ‘Aperian’ comes from the Latin root word ‘aper’ which means ‘to open’ or ‘to give access to’”, said Ted Dale, founder and chairman of Aperian Global. “We feel this name reflects the essence of our mission, as well as the spirit of our client work.”

Ernie Gundling, founder and co-president of the company added, “Aperian Global’s unique blend of consulting, training, and web tools ‘opens’ the way for individuals, teams, and organizations to engage in new and innovative approaches to seizing global opportunities and solving complex problems in their globalization efforts.”

“In working closely with our clients from around the world, our goal is to connect global strategy with downstream execution, by creating blended solutions that drive results. Our true value-add is to enable our clients’ human capital to be truly effective when operating across borders,” added Dave Eaton, founder & co-president.”

About Aperian Global
Aperian Global is one of the world’s leading consulting firms assisting organizations in connecting global strategy with execution through people, culture and performance. We are distinguished as a leader in our field by the fact that we have:

Well recognized client partners:
- 70% of the Fortune Top 10
- 25% of global 1000 companies
- Government agencies such as NATO, the U.S. Army
- International Nonprofits such as UNICEF
Web tools that are the benchmark in our field
Talented team of full time consultants who include some of the most experienced, globally dispersed experts in our industry
Consulting practices with specialists in areas that are priorities to companies working globally: cross-border M&A/Joint Ventures, Leadership, Outsourcing/ReSourcing, Diversity & Inclusion, Teams, and Projects

Aperian Global has more than 85 consultants in 40+ locations around the globe, with offices in the Americas, EMEA & Asia/Pacific.

Press Contacts

Laurie Emery, COO                                                    Brad Bungum, MD-EMEA
Phone: +1 415 321 7922                                          Phone: +45 40 54 23 21
Email: lemery@aperianglobal.com                        Email: bbungum@aperianglobal.com

                                                                            # # #