AUDITS

Internal, External & Online Audits

At Global born, we have a straightforward approach concerning the audit methodology that let the control to the client at each stage of the audit. Our past experience indicates us that this is the best way to generate trust between us.

Indeed, trust is fundamental to fully understand your organization and provide valuable insights to your company management.

Hereafter are presented three types of audit methodology. Please keep into consideration that in the case of external audit (or mission of internationalization), it will be mandatory to go through an internal audit first to know at best YOUR company and to avoid any possible mismatch in the future.

In the following section, the different stages of the audit are explained. In case of doubt, do not hesitate to contact Global born.

Internal Audits

The first stage of the internal audit will always be to understand the lag between the mission, the vision and the current situation of the client that is, by definition, under the bar fixed by the management or the shareholders. Contrasting these previous elements with internal resources, capabilities, a possible competitive advantage, the core competencies of the entity and the wished positioning will favor the definition of the contours of Global born mission. At this stage, Global born will systematically deliver a report that will be challenged by the client management. It could lead to an approval, to some nuances of the report or to a negation to go further. The report will include the pre-defined workload and possible cases of deviation and impact on the workload. As it is stipulated before, the client has always the control to stop the mission at each stage. Initially, the report will be set up with interviews with a few stakeholders, normally the management and shareholders, but later on, Global born should have access to all stakeholders involved within the company, not to miss any piece of the puzzle. When Global born mandate is clear, the second stage can start. Most of the times, we are used to deal with several types of internal audits:
  1. Single target mission
  2. Complex missions involving internal audit in a domestic place with international relations, be it an internationalization, the analysis of a subsidiary/branch or a provider. In this case, External and online audits will be set up as well.
In all cases, key performance indicators will be set between both parties. During the audit in itself, milestones will be constantly revised to check out the fulfilment of the mission and some possible adjustment of the mission taking into consideration the insights delivered.

External Audits

As said before, external audits will never suppose the starting point of a relation. It will always go through an internal audit first to apprehend globally the client. At the end of the complex mission involving internationalization, several cases can occur:
  1. The client has not the internal capabilities to move forward into the target market because the strategy will be doomed to failure (lack of webpage in English, lack of internal talent, product adaptation to the target- market, etc…). Therefore, some internal adjustments are required to move forward. Global born can help the client in adapting to the requirements of the target market.
  2. The client has the internal capabilities to move forward. Is he eager to go? Let´s go for it. But, as you already know, Global born let the control to the client to decide whether they will move forward or not.
Now, comes the real external audit where the market survey will be realized stipulating the characteristics of the market, competitors, entry mode, key success factors (KSF), core competencies in five years, customer profiles, etc… Global born fees will depend on the tasks to be delivered for the client. We always work with commission because this is the unique evidence that shows that both the client and the auditor go for the same cause. Based on the informations delivered, a strategy will be defined to address the goals in terms of marketshare, revenues, margins, products sold, students registered, etc… The exercise considers in fixing the diagnosis to reach the client goals. Most of the time, the client will assign Global born to find them a local partner in the targeted country be it an exclusive distributor or not. Global born works works exclusively with top providers and key decision makers. The quality of these possible partners will be valued by the client and Global born will help the client to negotiate with these companies only if the client gives such a mandate. However, Global born cannot be held responsible of failed negotiations between the client and the proposed companies because it is a third party within this process. It is fair to say that the negotiations should be crown with success if negotiations occur at a quick pace. Hence, the necessity to have done the homework before going abroad… Global born experiences in Spain, France, Italy, Russia, Brazil, India, Colombia, Morocco, etc… certifies our ability to achieve your expansion.

Online Audits

With the advent of technology (Skype and Cisco Webex), internal and external audit can be conducted without any turmoil. Online audits imply sharp reductions in terms of junior consultants involved in the process, travel expenses, manutention, etc… By scheduling the videoconferences ahead of time, it enables to gather not only verbal communications but almost more important, the non-verbal communications. Global born has developed a recognized expertise paying attention to these details. Global born is one of the pioneers in this strategy and it favors short missions with high impact on the bottom line for the client.

Sectors of Audits

Global born can practice some internal & external audits in the following sectors :