Meridian Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program

To navigate today’s corporate challenges, every company needs a foreign policy, and employees need to be trained as diplomats. For over 60 years, Meridian International Center has worked at the intersection of business and diplomacy to strengthen U.S. engagement worldwide and equip companies with the tools they need to conduct business internationally. The Meridian Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program trains corporate leaders and employees with diplomatic skills, strategies, and insights to succeed in a competitive global business environment.

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Business and Trade

Corporate Diplomacy Global Leaders Program

Merdian's Corporate Diplomacy Global Leaders Program is designed to equip leaders with a deeper understanding of the diplomatic strategies and geopolitical insights needed to succeed in a competitive business environment. Trade agreements, cyber vulnerability, hot and cold wars, and economic crises have all impacted the daily activities of businesses in every industry. Protect and advance your business interests by empowering your company with the diplomatic tools needed for today’s global challenges.

Global Business Leaders Need Diplomacy Skills

How to use diplomacy to advance business interests.

As businesses navigate constantly evolving global geopolitical landscape, and the economic implications of these changes, diplomatic skills are an essential element for success in the global marketplace. From marketing, sales, and HR teams to government relations and C-suites, leaders at all levels need the tools and the resources to respond to corporate challenges like:

Expanding into new markets
Conducting transactions in hostile or politically complex regions
Engaging government officials + stakeholders
Managing global teams

Meridian is the leader in corporate diplomacy training– empowering participants with the diplomatic tools to build efficient, effective global leaders.

For 60 years, we have worked at the intersection of business and diplomacy to strengthen U.S. engagement with the world. Our experience and network or expert practitioners enable us to deliver high-return training and leadership development programs to corporations and other organizations looking to prepare and protect your global teams.

New country managers and regional office heads
Professional development and retention tool for high-performing employees
Team-building off-sites for international team fly-ins
Deep dives into specific tradecraft skills

Our Methodology

Our workshops are developed by diplomats and business leaders for diplomats and business leaders. An elite team of Meridian staff presents:

Engaging, interactive training environment through simulations and exercises
Custom-designed programs delivered by diplomats from the highest levels of government
Application to real-life corporate situations

Our Insights

Enhanced diplomatic skills, including stakeholder management, negotiation and deal-making
Cross-cultural awareness, intelligence and communication skills
A 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, including politics, economics and culture

Our Track Record

Curriculum Options

The Meridian Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program curriculum can be tailored to meet an individual company's objectives.

Module 1: CORPORATE DIPLOMACY FUNDAMENTS

The Role of Diplomacy in Global Business
Cross-Cultural Communication + Intelligence

Module 2: FORCES SHAPING THE GLOBAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Topline issues shaping the global business environment include global trade wars, China and Russia sanctions, and more.

Module 3: CORPORATE DIPLOMACY TRADECRAFT

Diplomatic Engagement Strategies for Stakeholders
Closing the Deal: Diplomatic Negotiation Strategies

Meridian provides country managers critical foundational context of a country's political, economic, and social dynamics. The day-long 360-degree briefings center candid and nuanced discussions with former diplomats and policy. The briefings also include a module on stakeholder mapping tailored to the specific country/region.

POLITICAL: Go beyond the headlines to understand the history and undercurrents of a country's political dynamics and learn about key government leaders

ECONOMIC: Develop insight into the economic challenges and opportunities and the country's U.S. and multilateral trade relationships

SOCIAL: Gain deeper understanding into the cultural and social background of a country as well as protocol and communication guidance

Five briefings specific to a country or region
Delivered in-person at Meridian's historic campus in Washington, D.C.
Day-long sessions include:
- Interactive, candid discussions with former diplomats and policy experts
- Stakeholder mapping and engagement and geopolitical risk analysis exercises specific to the country regions

Participants: Minimum of 5, up to 20 participants per course

Sessions are 1.5 - 2 hours and include interactive exercises. Additional modules can be added and customized based on your preferences:

Module 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF DIPLOMACY

Develops diplomatic skills that can be applied to advancing their corporate objectives.

Module 2: DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

Builds upon the participant’s foundation of corporate diplomacy skills and focuses on strategy.

Module 3: NEGOTIATION SIMULATION

Serves as a capstone and delivered as a crisis simulation, where participants work with both allies

and potentially hostile interests to come to a mutually agreeable solution

Module 4: THE DIPLOMATIC LANDSCAPE

Prepares you to identify and influence key stakeholders to maximize business outcomes

Module 5: RESPONSIBLE DIPLOMACY INITIATIVES [optional]

Meridian’s Responsible Business Diplomacy Initiative builds on the foundation of the Meridian Corporate Council’s work to drive global economic security, prosperity and innovation by aligning private and public sector leaders on ESG priorities and the standards required to build a more sustainable, prosperous world for all.

Participants: Minimum of 10, up to 20 participants

Length: Each course is offered as a 1-day session

ESSENTIALS OF GLOBAL BUSINESS DIPLOMACY