On May 14th, 2025 we took Global Mobility (GM) to the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich for a hands-on, future-facing workshop hosted by PMA Managing Partner Stefan Remhof and Benjamin Bader from MasteringGM. Titled “From Sidelines to Centre Field”, this event brought together an engaged group of professionals to confront a shared challenge: positioning Global Mobility as a strategic function within organisations.
While definitions, team sizes, and task scopes varied across participants’ organisations, one consensus emerged clearly—GM is not yet being used to its full strategic potential.
Setting the Stage: Understanding the Value of GM
After an opening round that revealed a wide range of experience—from seasoned leaders to newer practitioners—the day began by examining the value Global Mobility brings across business levels. Participants explored how GM touches not only compliance and logistics, but also long-term workforce planning, employee experience, and business transformation.
A core message resonated throughout the morning: GM professionals are often stuck in day-to-day operations, missing the opportunity to shape outcomes at the planning level. To shift from executors to enablers, the profession must elevate itself as a strategic business partner.
The Role of Data, AI & Strategic Focus
One of the workshop’s pivotal moments was the exploration of data-driven decision making and the role of AI. Participants reflected on how automation and GenAI can reduce operational workload, allowing GM teams to redirect their focus toward strategy and impact.
Evidence-based HR and intelligent systems aren’t just buzzwords—they’re key enablers of strategic GM. With the right data and tools, GM can move from reactive firefighting to proactive planning and stakeholder alignment.
Communication Breakdown: A Practical Learning Experience
A standout exercise highlighted how communication gaps can derail even the best plans. Participants learned firsthand how assumptions, lack of context, and missing information lead to poor decision-making. The session reinforced the importance of clarity, asking questions, and understanding other perspectives—skills critical to Global Mobility success.
Crafting the Business Case
The afternoon session focused on one of the most essential tools for gaining influence: the business case. Participants practiced crafting their own “match plan,” incorporating real organisational challenges and GM-specific pain points.
A common thread quickly emerged: GM professionals often lack visibility, strategic involvement, and access to decision-makers. This disconnect limits their ability to showcase value or influence the organisation meaningfully. Through storytelling, data, and stakeholder mapping, participants were empowered to change that narrative.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our PMA Academy’s Storytelling for a Successful Business Case and Communication in GM modules to strengthen your skills and move into the strategic spotlight.
From the Sidelines to the Centre Field – Literally
The day concluded with a guided tour of FC Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. Standing in the middle of an empty stadium, the metaphor became clear—the view is very different from the centre field than from the sidelines. GM professionals must step onto that field and claim their place as strategic players to utilise their potential and make a lasting impact.
At PMA, we believe sports and Global Mobility share more than just metaphors. Teamwork, well-being, resilience, and mindset are essential on the field—and in international HR.
Learn more about our PMA x Sports Initiative and how we use sports as inspiration for collaboration and impact.
5 key insights from the event:
1. Global Mobility Is Undervalued Yet Invaluable: Despite the strategic relevance of GM, most organisations still define the function narrowly—limiting it to operational or compliance tasks. Participants agreed that GM professionals are underutilised, often left out of planning and strategy conversations, despite their potential to contribute significant business value.
2. Strategic Involvement Begins with a Strong Business Case: A recurring theme was the difficulty GM professionals face in gaining access to decision-makers. Crafting a compelling business case—supported by data, storytelling, and a clear link to business outcomes—is essential to reposition GM from executor to strategic partner.
3. Data and AI Can Unlock Strategic Potential: The use of evidence-based HR and AI tools was a major discussion point. AI can take over time-consuming operational tasks, allowing mobility professionals to focus on strategy, scenario planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Embracing tech is key to elevating GM’s role.
4. Communication Is a Critical Success Factor: An interactive communication exercise made it clear: assumptions, poor information flow, and lack of stakeholder alignment undermine GM outcomes. Participants experienced firsthand how critical it is to ask the right questions, clarify expectations, and see issues from others’ perspectives.
5. The Shift Requires Mindset and Perspective Change: The closing stadium tour served as a powerful metaphor—you can’t influence the game from the sidelines. GM professionals must adopt a centre-field mindset, pushing for strategic integration, proactive communication, and collaboration to drive change.
Final Thoughts and a Look Ahead
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed their perspectives to this important conversation. Thank you also to our sponsors for making this event possible.
The need for strategic repositioning in Global Mobility is clear—and together, we’re building the momentum to make it happen. Let’s continue to empower the profession, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and unlock the true value of international talent mobility.
Missed this one? Don’t worry—we’ll be back with another workshop in September 2025 in London. Join us to keep the conversation going, refine your strategies, and connect with the community driving the future of Global People Mobility.
