UK site Management-Issues highlights some of the cultural difficulties in bringing performance management to other countries. Some reactions revolve around the exporting of "American" efficiencies to societies in which they’re not appropriate. Interestingly, in Asia, some objections have more to do with hierarchical, experience-oriented companies pushing back against the the idea that people should be evaluated in a more meritocratic fashion.

Performance management is an idea that employees often greet with skepticism no matter where they are in the world. Some see it as just a management gimmick to get rid of some people or promote their cronies. But once the system is in use, not only do people realize there is nothing to fear, but embrace the chances for feedback and the opportunity for advancement it affords.

At SuccessFactors, we’ve got success stories from around the globe. British-Telecom (UK), GemPlus (Switzerland) and Jollibee Foods (Philippines) are just some of the companies using our software. But even companies in the US with international reach use the system everywhere they do business. Just for example, Kimberly-Clark has users on the application in 14 languages!