AFLAC’s Federal Government Relations team took part in a four-module course with Meridian focused on how diplomatic concepts, including communications, public diplomacy and storytelling, and negotiations could better inform their work advocating with their clients. The group also enjoy the opportunity to work together on the simulations, finding it a valuable teambuilding experience.
Meridian Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program
Meet the Experts
Corporate Diplomacy Matters
- Globalization is disrupting alliances, markets and institutions. Complex business challenges and opportunities have emerged as a result. Business leaders are expected to have a global outlook and insight on the forces shaping the geopolitical landscape to navigate the global business environment.
- Diplomacy is evolving; governments, businesses and NGOs are partnering to address global issues. Business leaders are expected to forge relationships and understand how to leverage those partnerships, anticipate threats and take advantage of opportunities.
- The workforce is increasingly global. Polarization is more rampant than ever. Business leaders need to have the cross-cultural skills to communicate, manage and collaborate across borders and perspectives.
Diplomacy is ultimately about influence. Business leaders need to know how to forge alliances, shape public perceptions and negotiate.
Meridian Builds Global Corporate Leaders
Whether you are managing employees as part of a worldwide team, closing a multimillion-dollar deal, expanding into new markets abroad, or tackling a regulatory issue, diplomacy is an essential tool. Nearly every division, from global public policy teams to marketing and corporate communications to human, resources can benefit from the skills that corporate diplomacy training provides. Meridian’s Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program is geared to every level of employee – from senior executives to corporate managers to front-line employees.
We have worked with Fortune 500 companies such as AFLAC, 3M and Chevron to build tailored corporate diplomacy programs that provide executives, managers and employees with:
- Enhanced diplomatic skills including effective negotiating, persuasion and influence, and consensus building
- Cross-cultural awareness and communication skills
- Deeper understanding of the relationship between business, government and NGOs, and strategies for engaging stakeholders and building public–private partnerships to advance business interests
- Insight and understanding of the geopolitical dynamics shaping today’s global business environment
Who Benefits From Corporate Diplomacy Skills?
- Is your company preparing to expand globally into new markets?
- Are you preparing for a new international assignment?
- Do you manage or work with a diverse team with employees based around the world?
- Would you like to hone your negotiation and deal-making skills?
- Do you engage international government officials and other stakeholders?
- Is your industry affected by global regulations and policies?
- Do you need a better foundation of knowledge about the geopolitical landscape?
Whether you are managing employees as part of a worldwide team, closing a multi-million dollar deal, expanding into new markets abroad, or tackling a regulatory issue, diplomacy is an essential tool. Nearly every division from global public policy teams to marketing and corporate communications to human resources can benefit from the skills that corporate diplomacy training provides.
Meridian’s Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development programs are geared to every level of employee – from senior executives to corporate managers to front-line employees.
Corporate Diplomacy Curriculum Overview
Course 1: Corporate Diplomacy Fundamentals
Presented by Betsy Whitaker and Amb. Capricia Marshall
Participants will develop diplomatic skills that can be applied to advancing their corporate objectives.
Foundations of Diplomacy
Cross-Cultural Communication and Cultural Intelligence
Personal Influence and Persuasion
Need-to-Know Protocol Basics
Representational Skills
Course 2: Forces Shaping the Global Business Environment
Presented by Andrea Durkin, Louise Hilsen, and Sec. Carlos Gutierrez
This intensive course provides participants knowledge of the geopolitical forces shaping today’s global business environment.
Overview of the U.S. and international policy making systems
Ways the U.S. government promotes trade and investment and assists U.S. companies
Topline issues shaping the global business environment including global trade wars, China, Russia sanctions, Middle East conflict, etc.
Negotiating in Win-Win and Win-Lose scenarios
Course 3: Corporate Diplomacy Tradecraft
Presented by Andrea Durkin and Amb. Glyn Davies
This course builds upon the participants' foundation of corporate diplomacy skills and focuses on strategy.
Diplomatic Engagement Strategies for Stakeholders
Leveraging Public–Private Partnerships
Navigating Geopolitical Risk Assessment and Threat Management
Forging Alliances and Coalition Building
Using Public Diplomacy Techniques to Influence Consumers
The Meridian Approach
Delivered by diplomatic practitioners including former ambassadors, State Department officials and senior diplomats with decades of experience in the field. Meridian’s unique training methodology:
- Identifies the most applicable diplomatic skills and knowledge and translates them to real-life corporate situations
- Integrates experiential learning through real-world simulations and collaborative role-playing exercises
- Connects participants with experts and contacts in the field to develop resource networks
