Joi Ito has some useful globalization experiences to share, from the "sharp end of the stick" perspective - in this case, trying to get a unified credit card account:

I first had an American Express card in Hong Kong, then in the US and now in France. When I applied for the new Amex card in the US and in France, I was assured that my membership date would go back to when I first joined.

Each time I got the card, however, (my French card just arrived) they considered me a new member. A longer term of membership can confer benefits.

When I complained to the French Amex yesterday, the customer service person explained that American Express in Hong Kong is not the same as American Express in France. Funny, because that is not what their advertising seems to imply.

Sounds like some of the large companies out there are not integrated across borders yet. I'd warrant that many aren't integrated within borders yet :)