The article focuses on the initiatives of executives before entering an international assignment. These initiatives include attending cross-cultural and intercultural training classes, setting the foundation for a rewarding coach-client relationship, and managing and mobilizing a team through effective and efficient management. The article also discusses the "hard Ss" of how a corporation operates, which include strategy, structure and systems, and the "soft Ss," which include shared values, styles and staff. Values that contribute to cultural and social intelligence are also discussed.