Learn How Two Associates Thrive in International Roles at Pall
Name: Clancy Cashion
Title: VP Global Sales, Energy+
Years with Pall and/or Danaher (our parent company): 10 years
Home Country: United States
Current Country of Residence: Singapore
What motivated you to take the opportunity to work abroad?
I relish a challenge. As an American with many strategy, finance, product, and marketing experiences but limited sales experience, I was certain that leading a culturally diverse 100+ person sales team covering an incredibly complex cultural landscape spanning 10+ countries was a big stretch that would deliver deep, rich, and lasting leadership experiences. Although I am married to a Colombian woman, my experiences were predominantly American. I was curious what it would be like for me and my family to live somewhere else.
How did you prepare for the move, both personally and professionally?
International relocations are tough! You lose the comfort of your home, you’re unsettled as you and your family live out of an overflowing suitcase, and you’re embarking on a big journey into unfamiliar terrain. Being realistic about this helped me prioritize learning about Singapore’s neighborhoods and schools, networking to find personal and professional expatriate contacts to get a practitioner’s perspective, and building a support system that could allow everyone in the family to feel fulfilled.
How did you adapt to the cultural differences in your new work environment?
There isn’t a normal, smooth international move – each case is unique due to home and host country laws, you and your family circumstances, and what’s happening in the world. I entered Singapore in June 2021 in the height of COVID. As a result, I spent the first 6 months getting to know the team virtually. I read the Culture Map and engaged a cultural coach to better understand the potential gaps between me and the team. I held small group “coffee chats” to build connections, remotely dove into problems to prove value, and planned to get face-to-face as soon as possible. And I did. As soon as restrictions lifted, I was on the ground in Korea, Australia, Japan, India, Thailand, and many others to visit customers and share a meal with the team.
What new skills or perspectives have you gained from your international experience?
There are clear differences such as understanding the associate experience when you are in a different time zone than headquarters, multi-country sales experiences and negotiations and a rich awareness of my prior US-centric thinking. But the real growth is in the stories I have gathered that allow me to have a richer perspective of the business, the relationships I have built that help develop quicker connections with a wider range of people, and the closer my family has become through this experience
What advice would you give to someone considering a move abroad for work?
Watch out, you may just love it and not return to your home country!
Name: Kerry Martin
Job Title: Plant Controller
Years with Pall and/or Danaher (our parent company): 10 years
Home Country: United Kingdom
Current Country of Residence: United States
What motivated you to take the opportunity to work abroad?
I worked in the Controlling Centre of Excellence for eight years, gradually advancing in seniority. I felt like I needed a change and was looking for the next step up in my career. I saw the role of Putnam controller and, on impulse, decided to take a chance on the opportunity!
How did you adapt to the cultural differences in your new work environment?
Luckily for me, the US and UK are very similar, so I adapted quickly. The team in Putnam is awesome! They instantly made me feel a part of the team and were always happy to answer my questions about the differences between the two countries. They also understood my British ‘sarcastic’ humor, which was a bonus!
What new skills or perspectives have you gained from your international experience?
My colleagues in America have been super accommodating; they have gone above and beyond to make me feel at home and help out, whether personally or professionally.
What advice would you give to someone considering a move abroad for work?
I would 100% recommend it. You get to experience another way of life, meet new people, grow your contacts and expand your skills. If it doesn’t work out, you can always go home.