Category: Choosing a Relocation Company

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Why Relocation Services Should Include Spousal & Partner Support

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The Importance of Providing Spouse & Family Support for a Successful Relocation Process

Relocating for a job can bring many new opportunities to one’s professional career. But moving to a new destination for a job can also mean uprooting a partner, or even an entire family. When a candidate accepts a new position and agrees to move for the job, many negotiate to get relocation costs covered by the new company. Companies that are regularly involved in the talent mobility process work with relocation management companies (RMC) to construct relocation packages that are enticing and helpful to employees. 

But do these relocation benefits ever include any support for the transferee’s spouse or family? Any modern RMC representative would highly recommend including partner/spousal support and family support offerings to recently hired employees. There are many reasons companies should be happy to help ease the transition for their new employees’ families. For example, if the employee knows their family will have an easier time moving, they are more likely to accept the position. Finding the right candidate quickly cuts down on the time of the job search. Also, knowing their family will be taken care of during the relocation process because of special relocation benefits, the employee can have their mind on their work. 

There is no one size fits all relocation package. Each talent mobility assignment is different and should be treated as so. With that being said, there are numerous relocation services that RMCs can provide to moving employees’ spouses and other family members. Let’s look at some of the more common programs worked into the relocation process.

Area Orientation Trips

Orientation trips are a relocation benefit that tends to get overlooked. Many RMCs would recommend that companies cover at least one or two (if not more) orientation trips for the employee and their partner/spouse. The main reason to add this into a relocation package for the employee to utilize it as a house-hunting trip. Including this service helps the employee and their family get somewhat familiar with the lay of the land for their new destination. These trips can also be used to check out different schools and activities for those relocating with children. Taking a tour of a local school might help the family decide which neighborhood they might want to settle in. If the transferee’s kids play sports or participate in other after-school activities, then take advantage of the trips to meet and greet with coaches and directors so that they are not starting from square one once arriving in the new city. Area orientation trips can give kids and spouses a new, exciting spin on the move if a dream house is discovered while house hunting.

Spousal Career Services

Another perk that should be included in relocation packages is career services for the moving employee’s spouse or partner. It’s not unusual for a domestic partnership to make up a dual-career household; this means if the family is moving for one person’s job, there is a chance the other will have to quit or alter their career. But there are ways that companies can work with RMCs to include spousal career services in their talent mobility benefits. These programs can offer comprehensive career assistance along the lines of: 

  • Quick Start Job Search Preparation (marketing tools, job search assistance manual)
  • Job Search Assistance (market information, access to searchable data)
  • Personal Branding (online profiles, personal website, blog, video)
  • Partnering Services (online courses for job search execution)
  • Resume Writing Services (resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profile)

Spouses who are moving with their partner can use this time to their advantage. Some people hold off on a career change, but right after a relocation could be a perfect time. If the moving spouse has to resign from their current position anyway, then it could be a new beginning they need to switch industries or positions, maybe even start their own business. In very lucrative relocation offerings, there may even be grants and financial support benefits for the employee’s spouse to get special training for a new job. And sometimes, some RMCs might even work in entrepreneurial opportunities for relocating partners.

Language Training

For international relocation services, language training might be one of the most essential benefits needed. Those who relocate to a new country with a spouse and children will more than likely have to learn a new language. Learning a new language can be difficult if the family has not been preparing for it for a few years leading up to the move. Companies that plan to interview, and ultimately hire, global candidates should seriously consider covering or reimbursing for classes and tutoring for the employee and their family members to learn the language of their new home. Language training programs give the spouse and family a better chance of adjusting and liking their new surroundings making it more likely that the employee can succeed at their new job as well.

GMS Offers Relocation Services with Spousal Support

For international relocation services, language training might be one of the most essential benefits needed. Those who relocate to a new country with a spouse and children will more than likely have to learn a new language. Learning a new language can be difficult if the family has not been preparing for it for a few years leading up to the move. Companies that plan to interview, and ultimately hire, global candidates should seriously consider covering or reimbursing for classes and tutoring for the employee and their family members to learn the language of their new home. Language training programs give the spouse and family a better chance of adjusting and liking their new surroundings making it more likely that the employee can succeed at their new job as well.

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Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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The Most Googled Questions About Relocation Services

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Answering common questions about relocation packages and the global mobility process

Companies that are just starting to research information about relocation services may need to get some of their basic questions answered. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has been a leading relocation company for over 34 years. Our team members are all highly qualified for their positions and are experts in their specialty regarding relocation services. As there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to relocating employees, our team put this guide together in hopes of providing some answers to the most Googled questions. Most of these questions are commonly asked when companies with in-house programs (or no program) are considering outsourcing their mobility programs to an experienced relocation management company.

Here are those Q & A’s:

What Are Relocation Services?

Also known as talent mobility or global mobility, corporate relocation services are benefits provided by an employer or agency to an employee who has to move for a new position or promotion. In simple terms, relocation services are “moving perks.” When the employee accepts the position, they are provided with some different options to help them get to their destination smoothly in time for their start date. Depending on what type of benefits are offered, relocation services usually can be applied to individuals and families alike. International relocation and domestic relocation services are slightly different, but the idea remains the same. 

In most instances, the hiring company will have already signed on with a relocation management company (RMC) to construct and deliver comprehensive relocation packages in order to ensure their talent acquisition program is as competitive as possible.

What’s Included with Relocation Services?

Relocation packages offered to employees should be tailored to fit the company’s objectives, along with employees’ wants and needs. Relocation services can vary in what is offered to, and utilized by, the employee. Common benefits range from assistance in selling a home to temporary housing assistance, school/area tours, and more.

Often, the most common theme among talent mobility perks is financial help with moving costs and shipping of household goods. Sometimes, the company will even offer to cover the cost of hiring moving services completely. Other companies may offer reimbursement options for relocation costs, meaning the employee foots the bills upfront to get to their new destination and the company repays them usually via check or EFT payment. 

Side note: GMS recommends that companies offer employees relocation packages instead of reimbursement options. At GMS, we assign each moving employee a dedicated single point of coordination (a U.S. Domestic Relocation Coach or a Global Assignment Manager). This certified GMS team member is highly experienced in their field and will provide guidance to your employee every step of the way during the relocation process.

How Much Can You Expect to Spend on Relocation Services?

That’s an excellent question. From the hiring company’s standpoint, paying to provide relocation services will depend on a number of variables. How many employees need to be relocated? Are these employees individuals or moving a family with them? Is the company willing to cover the costs of the entire move or just partial support? Are real estate perks offered in the package? 

Going back to the idea that relocation benefits should be tailored to fit the company’s objectives and employees’ needs, it’s hard to put a price range on just how much relocation services cost. Relocation costs are typically worth it in the long run because it increases the chances of getting the right candidate in the right seat for the vacant position. These employees arrive stress-free and ready to work, and are shown to stick around longer. Without global mobility benefits, your company runs the risk of having to hire and train multiple people over because only local talent is applying for the job.

What’s the Average Timeline for Relocating?

When helping companies create their relocation benefits, GMS usually recommends that there be a designated timeframe in which the policies can be utilized. This timeline will vary from company to company, or position to position. In many cases, a 90-day window for employees to start their relocation process does the trick. Employers need to keep in mind that these new-hire employees may have families, and trying to move a family with children is something that cannot always be done within a few weeks. Additional factors should be taken into account as well, such as the time it takes to sell the employees home, or the availability of transportation services for their household goods.

In extreme cases, the company might give the employee a start date within a month of the offer. But the downfall with this approach might be the employee may decline the offer, or the company’s relocation costs will increase if services are needed ASAP and not planned out.

What if an Employee Doesn’t Use/Need Every Relocation Benefit Offered?

GMS prides itself in our proactive relocation coaching. By having a Relocation Coach or Global Assignment Manager assigned to each employee, GMS helps to ensure the relocator is using the right mix of benefits for their unique situations. This can help them to get the most out of their available and applicable benefits, whether it be helping with moving costs, spousal support, or language training. GMS’ relocation experts help to pinpoint why employees may or may not utilize certain benefits to make sure the employee is getting the support they need without contributing to inflated mobility program costs due to the use of unnecessary services.

What Is Corporate Housing?

When thinking about accepting a job out of state, one of the most sought-after relocation benefits is corporate housing. Also known as short-term housing, this benefit is recommended for employers to provide as it might seal the deal for the new hire to sign on.

Corporate housing is usually a 30, 60, or 90-day stay in a furnished apartment or townhome that is covered by the employer. The reason this is such a draw for relocating employees is because it gives the employee and their family a transitional period to get their feet wet and learn a little bit about the lifestyle of their new destination. This period of time is also valuable as it provides the employee a place to live during the period of time it takes for them to secure a new place to live and await the delivery of their household goods. It also can be used for a situation where the employee has to go ahead of their family for the job, while their family finishes up any loose ends before the relocation completely takes place such as kids finishing the school semester.

How Often Should We Review Relocation Benefits?

GMS urges companies who are offering relocation packages to look into reviewing or updating those benefits every 12 to 18 months. The reason being, industries become more competitive and employee needs can evolve. If a competing company in your industry is offering more money or benefits to new hires, it could make it harder for your company to attract the top talent you need.

GMS Is Here to Answer All of Your Relocation Questions

When it comes to your talent mobility strategy, there are thousands of questions about where to begin or how to improve. The relocation experts at GMS have been helping companies move their employees for over three decades. If you have any questions about creating, reviewing, or improving your mobility program or relocation services, please reach out today. Our team can answer any questions you may have while offering insight into alternatives and enhancements to already existing relocation packages.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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A Complete Guide to Relocation Services

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Moving Out-of-State for Work? Everything You Need to Know About Relocation Services

There’s little question that today’s job market is becoming more competitive. Many qualified job seekers receive multiple job offers, weighing the pros and cons of each. Employers who can offer the best compensation and benefits typically land the best talent. Typically, many people think of common benefits, such as health coverage, dental insurance, or 401k options. However, a benefit that is often overlooked when extending an offer to out-of-state job seekers is relocation assistance.

 

When sending out offer letters to job candidates, companies should consider including relocation services. Relocation benefits may be the deciding factor for your preferred candidate as moving their family out-of-state is not cheap. With the right relocation package available to them, the employee can feel at ease knowing the company has their best interests in mind. HR departments that help relieve the employee of the burden of moving by including relocation services in the hiring process note increased job acceptance rates and employees that arrive at their destination ready to work. 

 

Oftentimes, companies will work with a relocation management company (RMC) to develop and manage their relocation programs while delivering a wide range of relocation services. From the packing and shipping household goods to the delivery of visa or real estate assistance, there is a lot that goes into family moves. A reliable RMC can help companies have competitive relocation packages ready and will coach the moving employee and their family through the entire process. 

 

Additionally, for companies that provide their employees a lump-sum relocation package (in lieu of a comprehensive relocation policy), having an RMC on your side can be a great benefit. The relocation company can provide value-added assistance to the employee by helping them manage their lump sum budget, source vetted vendors, such as household goods movers, and provide access to technology that will assist the employee with their self-managed relocation.

Advantages of Relocation Services

There are plenty of advantages to leveraging relocation experts when utilizing relocation services in your talent acquisition efforts. The first and foremost benefit is a reduction of stress on your workforce. Moving across town is hard enough to coordinate but managing an out-of-state move while trying to start a new job is even more difficult. Relocation Consultants (Relocation Coaches at GMS) can help with the coordination of the move, allowing the employee to focus on their new job position and the onboarding process.  

 

Cost savings is also another advantage that both the company and the employee will enjoy. For the employee, relocation costs can represent a significant financial burden. Largely, companies that offer relocation benefits include expense management as a core portion of their relocation policies, essentially providing financial assistance for a range of approved benefits related to the move. 

 

Additionally, companies themselves can realize savings on the cost of relocation services through the usage of an RMC with a vetted and competitive network of providers. The usage of a multiple-bid process allows the RMC to “shop around” to obtain competing quotes of key services, such as household goods transportation. This results in a more cost-efficient program and increased customer satisfaction. 

 

Time management is another huge advantage. RMCs have helped thousands of people move before with established processes and technology, so they are prepared to make it as time efficient as possible. The RMC will perform the coordination of services, such as booking short-term housing, setting dates with movers, and assisting with the sale of the employee’s home. 

 

This time savings is beneficial to a relocating employee as they may only have a few weeks to get to their new destination. By allowing a quality relocation management company to orchestrate the relocation, you can mitigate the risk of delays, which could potentially push back an employee’s start date.

What Is a Relocation Package?

Relocation packages, also known as relocation policies, are benefits and support that companies offer employees who are transferring to a location for a position. These policies cover a range of supporting benefits spanning a wide range of relocation-related services. These may include visa/immigration assistance, real estate/rental assistance, the shipment of the employee’s household goods, global tax services, culture/language training, temporary housing assistance, spouse/partner career support, miscellaneous expense allowances, and more. 

 

There are a variety of different relocation packages that a company may offer an employee, with differing levels of support that are aligned by the employee’s position, their assignment, or other factors, as determined by the employer. As every company has differing needs and objectives related to their workforce mobility program, the specific structure and benefits offered in their policies will vary from company to company. However, it is common practice across many industries to utilize a multi-tier program, generally separated by employee level.

What Should a Relocation Package Include?

The most common relocation services will include most of the basic relocation needs including:

 

Moving services: The transportation of the employee’s household goods is one of the most needed relocation services. Safely packing, shipping, and storing the employee’s household goods is a critical relocation benefit offering. 

 

Short-term housing: Also known as corporate housing or temporary housing is a benefit that typically includes 30, 60, or 90 days in a furnished apartment while the relocating employee finds a full-time home in their new area.

 

Real estate & rental support: Buying and selling houses can be a confusing process. Most relocation service providers urge companies to include real estate assistance in their packages. Home sale programs allow employees to have options when it comes to selling their current home. Assistance with home finding is also commonly provided, allowing the employee to tour their destination and look at properties that align with their needs. For renters, benefits may include lease break assistance with their current apartment, tours of communities at their destination, and lease negotiation services.

 

Visa and immigration support: For companies that move employees internationally, assistance with the visa and immigration process is important. With the complex range of laws, visa types, and reporting rules, leveraging your RMC’s immigration experience will ensure your company is compliant with international laws.

 

Other benefits: Apart from the above, most companies decide to include the following relocation services: pet moving specialists, automotive transportation, destination services, travel assistance, family support programs for spouses and school-aged children, expense management services, and more.

How Much Do Relocation Services Cost?

The cost of relocation services and packages will depend on the policies that the company is willing to offer for new or promoting employees. It can also depend on the specific needs of the employee who is moving. How many family members is the employee relocating with? What size is their home and what support is needed to move their personal items? Does the company feel the need to cover auto transportation? Does the employee have a home to sell or a lease to break? Is the employee receiving a comprehensive benefits package or a streamlined lump sum?

 

Depending on the answers, the total costs can vary. It is important to have a conversation with your relocation management company regarding program costs, methods of cost control, and when and where to use certain relocation benefits. Robust and detailed reporting should be provided by your RMC to ensure you have complete visibility into your program’s total spend and where that money is being spent.

How to Address Relocation Costs

Relocation packages have a range of what they can and cannot cover. Some of the more common methods used to address relocation expenses include:  

 

Direct Billing: The RMC will source, coordinate, and pay the vendors hired in the relocation process. Invoices are handled and later paid by the employee’s company. This type of expense management can be pricey for the company but ensures the moving employee gets the most bang for their buck. 

 

Expense Reimbursement: This solution is set up to where the employee pays for all relocation expenses upfront, then receives compensation checks from their employer after the move is complete. This type of package can be tricky to handle if the benefit is not written by a professional RMC. 

It is also common to see a blend of direct billing (for large-ticket items, such as HHG transportation costs) and expense reimbursements (for smaller relocation expenses that may be covered by a miscellaneous allowance provided by the company).

 

Lump Sum: A lump sum relocation policy is basically a set amount of money given to the moving employee upfront to handle any moving costs as they see fit. Usually, the most popular type of relocation package due to its ability to provide simple controls over costs and easy budgeting, this method also provides the least amount of support to the employee and exposes them to potential risk.

 

Core-Flex: Some RMCs can offer core-flex relocation packages, where the relocation policies incorporate a core relocation benefit section, along with a menu of optional benefits. For example, a core relocation benefit may be HHG moving assistance. An optional “flex” benefit might include spouse/partner career transition assistance.

GMS Specializes in Relocation Services

Since 1987, Global Mobility Solutions has assisted companies and employees with all their relocation service needs. From creating relocation policies to coaching employees through the process, our experienced and talented team can assist in any way. We are always available to field your questions, contact us today to get all your corporate relocation or international relocation questions answered.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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Advantages of Creating Competition Between Suppliers for Relocation Services

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GMS Always Fields Multiple Bids from Suppliers on Key Services

No one wants to pay more than they need to, this is especially true when it comes to the outsourcing of employee relocation services to a Relocation Management Company (RMC). Cost is generally the #1 driver of any procurement process, and it is wise to ensure you’re getting the most for your money before you sign on the dotted line. While saving money is a no-brainer, have you considered what steps your RMC is taking to ensure they deliver on cost savings for your relocation program?  

Many relocation companies have their own supplier base. These suppliers may consist of critical (and expensive) services, such as household goods transportation companies and temporary housing agencies. It is important to understand how your relocation company is leveraging these suppliers to reduce the impact of these services.

GMS Process to Keep Relocation Costs Down

Global Mobility Solutions, like most relocation companies, has its own, trusted network of suppliers. However, our network model is different due to our Multiple-Bid Process on key services. This process creates ongoing competition between our suppliers which ultimately results in lower prices and major relocation cost savings for our clients’ overall mobility spend. 

So how does it work? GMS analyzes each relocating employee’s unique needs, develops a service delivery plan, and then reaches out to at least two different suppliers for bids on key services. The suppliers’ estimates are audited for accuracy and submitted to you for final selection and approval based on the criteria most important to your organization. It should be noted that these are not just random or first-time suppliers who place bids with GMS. Each supplier is trusted and vetted by our network management team to ensure great service and competitive pricing. The process also allows us to develop creative service strategies to address every unique relocation need from each transferee. 

What makes GMS different is our independence and transparency in our supplier selection process. As we are not affiliated with any of our suppliers (van lines, corporate housing, real estate, destination services, immigration, or otherwise) we can subjectively vet our supplier base, ensuring the best possible quality for the best possible price across all of our key services. Some RMCs own or are owned by the suppliers they utilize which prevents the ability for true competition amongst the sub-suppliers servicing your account.

Additionally, GMS benchmarks and reviews our supplier pricing and negotiated rates on a quarterly to annual basis to ensure competitiveness by service in your specific relocating markets. These two features provide GMS clients with an umbrella of cost savings coverage while enhancing the quality of each relocation.

Let GMS Provide Relocation Services for Your Company

Operating a workforce relocation program can be expensive, but in many cases, it’s the best way to ensure your organization remains competitive in the acquisitions of talent to fuel your ongoing success. To have a better shot at cutting down relocation costs during the process, it is important to ensure your RMC utilizes a competitive bid process between suppliers on key services, such as household goods transportation, corporate housing, and more. Competition is always good for the consumer, driving down prices and increasing quality. GMS ensures the best price possible 100% of the time. For more information on corporate relocation services and program management from GMS, reach out today to schedule a call with one of our qualified team members.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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Discover Your Potential Relocation Cost Savings

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Relocation Cost Savings

To have the most successful and efficient workforce mobility program, mobility specialists and HR professionals should regularly evaluate their company’s relocation costs, benefits, and policies in order to uncover cost savings or areas in your relocation policies that may need improvement. Many companies manage their relocation needs in-house while others use relocation management companies to mobilize their workforce. Relocation policies should be reviewed with regularity to assure the company is spending wisely and saving money where possible. 

 

GMS makes this process simple with our industry-leading MyRelocation® technology. In addition to its client and employee-facing portals, MyRelocation® offers a suite of tools designed with your needs in mind. 

 

GMS is happy to announce our new Relocation Cost Savings Calculator. This easy-to-use tool provides companies with insight as to how much they could be saving when it comes to their current relocation program. If it has been a while since your company’s policies have been reviewed, or you are just starting to look into mobility services, this calculator can help determine your organization’s potential cost savings. 

 

It is not uncommon for companies to go years without changing or updating their relocation policies. While common, this practice can add up to serious costs over time as the direct costs related to relocation benefits react to various factors. Transportation prices change, home prices fluctuate, temporary housing costs increase, and the cost of living is constantly changing. To assure that your company is saving the most money while giving your employees the best relocation experience possible, it is important to check in on how you can be saving.

Calculating your Relocation Cost Savings

The innovative GMS Relocation Cost Savings Calculator looks at a range of common relocation program areas for cost-saving opportunities. With a user-selectable option for companies who handle mobility in-house or with an outsourced relocation management company. Key mobility policy elements that the calculator can highlight include: 

  • Program Fees
  • Real Estate Services
  • Household Goods Transportation and Storage
  • Temporary Housing Programs
  • International Relocation Services
  • Program Funding

The Cost Savings Calculator is quick and easy to use, and once various data points are input, the relocation calculator will compute your potential savings in a downloadable PDF to allow you to easily compare your current relocation costs against your potential savings. After that, a GMS Mobility Pro will reach out personally to help validate your potential relocation costs savings estimate, provide no-pressure guidance, and answer any questions you may have.

Validate Your Savings Using Our Relocation Cost Calculator

Are you ready to discover how and where your mobility program may benefit from a reduction in relocation costs? Simply complete the form below and a GMS Mobility Pro will provide you with a link to work through the tool. It is easy to use and only takes a couple of minutes if you have the right information handy. 


The GMS Relocation Cost Savings Calculator is free to use and comes with no obligation and no pressure to use. Get started now to discover how much your organization could be saving today.

Ready to Calculate YOur Program Savings? Request Access Now!

Are you ready to calculate your potential relocation program savings? Request access to our easy-to-use Relocation Cost Savings Calculator. Your Mobility Pro will grant your access request within 1 business day.

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Corporate Relocation Incentives Driving Economic Development

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Downtown Denver, Colorado, USA Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama.

In the past year, the global mobility industry has seen noticeable increases in state and local governments offering enticing relocation incentives to draw economic development and add to growing employment numbers. But how are these incentives helping companies recruit new talent to relocate? And how do transferees and companies take advantage of these incentives? 

Working with a corporate relocation services company can help make sure that you are getting the most out of the available relocation incentives. There are various incentives for those looking to perform group moves or office moves from state to state. Understanding these plans and policies is the first step in taking advantage of them. 

Here we have broken down some of the relocation incentives in 3 quickly growing states. All of these states are seeing an increase in population due to incentives and business-friendly environments, and these numbers should continue to grow as work from home precautions begin to end for in-office positioned employees.

Attracting Companies and Talent

Many states have heavily invested in development strategies that are solely focused on attracting companies within specific industries into relocating their operations to their state. Commonly targeted organizations reside in high revenue/high wage industries, such as technology, R&D, and manufacturing companies. State relocation incentives are often rich with benefits, making it difficult for companies to ignore. Let’s use Colorado, Arizona, and Texas as gleaming examples. Each of these states has focused on developing partnerships focused on attracting and relocating companies to their particular states and municipalities, in hopes of bringing in more revenue and tax dollars to the state.

Key Colorado relocation incentives:

  • Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits – A performance-based state income tax credit equal to 50% of the FICA paid by a business, based on the net new growth from jobs created
  • Strategic Fund Incentives – A cash payout based on wage levels of the net new jobs created
  • Location Neutral Employment – An incentive that combines Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits and a Strategic Fund Incentive 
  • Training Grants – Reimbursement of job training designed to increase transferable skills to enhance long term employment opportunities
  • Industry Accelerated Grants – A collection of grants that promote growth and sustainability

Key Arizona relocation incentives:

  • Quality Job Credits – Up to $9,000 in tax credits over 3 years for each new qualifying job
  • Training Grants – Up to 75% reimbursement of job training per employee and up to $8,000 for each new employee in a rural area
  • Facility Tax Credits – 10% of capital investment, up to $20,000 per qualified job created in manufacturing or R&D
  • Research & Development – An income tax credit for R&D (24% for first $2.5M, plus 15% in excess of $2.5M) 

Key Texas relocation incentives:

  • Enterprise Project – If project investment is equal to or greater than $5 million or more,  then refund amount is up to $2,500 per job up to a maximum of 500 jobs created/retained
  • Double Jumbo Enterprise Project – If the project investment amount is equal to or greater than $150 million and less than $250 million, then the refund amount is $5,000 per job up to a maximum of 500 jobs created
  • Triple Jumbo Enterprise Project – If the project investment amount is equal to or greater than $250 million then the refund amount is $7,500 per job up to a minimum of 500 jobs created. The maximum refund available is $3.75 million

Weighing the Benefits

While most of these incentives are not lucrative enough to make a company want to move on the spot, they do serve as added bonuses to those companies that are actively looking to make a move within the next year or two. The next question becomes how do you know you’re making the best relocation decision for your company and employees? Working with a certified corporate relocation services company will help to ensure that state economic incentives and your relocation strategy provide your organization with the advantages it needs to thrive and grow. . But what has to be considered when drafting up relocation policies and operation decisions? 

Establishing new operations or relocating existing ones is not an easy decision. Companies must weigh the cost/benefit of moving operations, in addition to the impact on employees. At GMS, we make every effort to support companies with the necessary analysis for informed decision-making. This may include salary and cost of living comparisons, housing evaluations and site studies, educational comparisons, pre-decision services, and more!

Why GMS Is the Answer

If you’re looking to take advantage of incentives for these states, or just collecting information in general for relocating employees, it is always a good idea to sign on with a proven and experienced relocation company. You’ll want to use a company that specializes in group moves and office moves. 

Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) is here to help you with all of your relocation services needs. Our team of experts holds over 20 relocation certifications and can assist with any kind of corporate move, no matter the scale. We also won’t blindside you with hidden or non-disclosed fees. All of our pricing is upfront and honest. Not to mention, we will tailor your policies and procedures to make sure your employees are maximizing any available state incentives, along with ensuring all of their relocation needs are being met. Our team can help you move to or from not just Arizona, Colorado, or Texas, but globally as well. 

Reach out to GMS today online if you’re ready to start getting info about working with a certified relocation services company. Or to speak to a team member directly, call 1-800-617-1904. 

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Business Services Choosing a Relocation Company Corporate Relocation Relocation Best Practices Relocation Challenges United States Economy

Post-Pandemic Business Planning: The Importance of Pre-Decision Services

Shot of a mature businessman having a brainstorming session against a glass screen in a modern office

What will your employer’s post-pandemic business planning require? The United States has seen two months of unexpected employment increases, far beyond expectations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment situation over the past two months reflects:

May 2020 Employment Situation

Nonfarm Payroll Employment Increasing by 2.5 million

Unemployment Rate declining to 13.3%

June 2020 Employment Situation

Nonfarm Payroll Employment Increasing by 4.8 million

Unemployment Rate declining to 11.1%

A Returning Workforce Requires Thoughtful Post-Pandemic Business Planning

Many employers are currently making plans for their returning workforce. They may need to develop new workspace configurations in order to limit COVID-19 issues. They may also need to hire new employees, develop a robust talent acquisition program, or arrange for short term domestic assignments.

Post-pandemic business planning must take into account a variety of issues and factors that many employers have not ever thought of, let alone have expertise in. Operating a business in the aftermath of COVID-19 requires significant measures of research, analysis, and thoughtful approaches to solutions.

Pre-Decision Services Help Employers Understand the Issues of Importance

Employers focusing on talent acquisition as part of their post-pandemic business planning should work with a Relocation Management Company with knowledge and experience in pre-decision services. As the original pioneer of the benefits of pre-decision services, Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) can help employers understand the issues of importance to new hires and transferees. GMS offers a wide range of pre-decision services including candidate assessments that help clients assess the circumstances of prospects who are likely to succeed.

Candidate Assessments Provide Valuable Information for Post-Pandemic Business Planning

Candidate assessments provide valuable information for employers as to the expectations of new hires and transferees. New workspace configurations and requirements should be clearly communicated during the pre-decision phase. Questions and feedback from candidates and transferees will provide a valuable source of input and guidance for an employer’s post-pandemic business planning with respect to COVID-19 planning and hazard reduction efforts. With respect to post-pandemic business planning, pre-decision services provide several benefits for clients by:

  1. Clearly identifying a candidate’s issues, concerns, and questions
  2. Completely eliminating any risk of non-acceptance
  3. Minimizing policy exceptions
  4. Increasing the accuracy of budgets
  5. Providing cost savings for the client
  6. Increasing job acceptance ratios
  7. Streamlining the candidate’s orientation to the new location

How Can GMS Help Your Company’s Post-Pandemic Business Planning?

GMS has the knowledge and experience to help your company understand how to identify issues and learn about useful resources. GMS’s team of domestic relocation experts can help your company learn how to use information gathered during pre-decision services to enhance post-pandemic business planning.

As a result, we can help your company develop robust plans during its post-pandemic phase of operations. This will help maintain your competitive position in the marketplace for highly skilled and qualified talent.

What Should Employers do?

Employers looking to enhance their post-pandemic business planning should work with an experienced and knowledgeable Relocation Management Company (RMC). RMCs are ideal sources for information on corporate relocations, workspace setups, pre-decision services, and many issues specific to each employer’s needs surrounding new hires, transferees, and talent acquisition.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped many of our clients determine how to identify specific needs of new hires and transferees through pre-decision services. Our team can help your company determine how to leverage information gathered from new hires and transferees. As a result, this will help your company enhance its business planning process.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators. This leadership revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Learn best practices from Global Mobility Solutions. Our relocation industry and technology experts are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online to learn more about how your company can leverage pre-decision services to enhance its post-pandemic business planning, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Choosing a Relocation Company Corporate relocation tips Domestic Relocation Tips Global Relocation Tips Household Goods Relocation Policy Review Relocation Programs

Affinity Programs and Relocation: How Your Company Can Benefit

cheerful young manager handshake with new employee
Portrait of cheerful young manager handshake with new employee.

Many companies can benefit by adding affinity programs to their relocation policy. Relocation offers ample opportunities for transferees and new hires to use services. As a result, a robust relocation policy with well-structured affinity programs may provide a revenue stream to help offset administrative costs. Also transferees and new hires may benefit from special programs and discounts offered through these programs.

What are Affinity Programs?

Affinity programs are a structured partnership between businesses that promotes use of a service or purchase of an item. The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives notes that these programs must provide value and specific price advantages for members in order to be successful.

A typical affinity program may follow the following steps:

  1. Employer enters into an agreement with a business partner
  2. Employer then offers the services to their employees
  3. Employees gain a benefit from using the services (such as discounts on products and services)
  4. Profits attributed to the employee’s use of the service are shared between the employer and the business partner

Employees gain value when they receive exclusive discounts and services in return for their participation. They also gain expert, hands-on guidance of experienced support staff from the business partner. Staff members are ready to help guide affinity program recipients through the process of selecting, ordering, and tracking the various services they desire.

Employers gain from affinity programs in several areas:

  • Revenue stream from profit share
  • Increased employee satisfaction
  • Enhanced goodwill through offering valued services
  • Association with a trusted business partner
  • Seen as an employer of choice among job seekers

What are Typical Affinity Programs in Relocation?

Typical affinity programs in relocation might include profit sharing based on transferee and new hire use of services offered by a Relocation Management Company (RMC). Services that may be eligible might include household goods moves, home selling/buying, mortgages, housing, or travel. These programs can be structured in many ways to meet employer’s needs as well as provide clear and defined value for employees.

Example: Traditional Temporary Housing

For example, transferees may be offered the option of using traditional temporary housing while they search for a home in their new location. If the transferee chooses to use this option, the employer will gain in the form of a profit share.

Importantly, the employer will also gain from having the transferee use housing that meets specific requirements for maintenance, cleanliness, amenities, and security. Transferees are more likely to have a positive experience when they use traditional temporary housing, as opposed to other housing options. This in turn will increase employee satisfaction with their relocation experience.

Many other housing options might initially seem attractive and offer a lower cost, but they may not meet cleanliness standards, and may carry hidden costs and unexpected issues for the transferee.

What Should Employers do About Affinity Programs?

Employers interested in learning more about affinity programs in relocation should work with a Relocation Management Company that has knowledge and expertise with these programs. An experienced RMC can help employers design their relocation policy to provide value for employees while returning many benefits to employers.

GMS offers clients its exclusive MyRelocation® Affinity Program. Through this program, eligible clients are able to gain many valuable benefits for their companies and their employees, where available.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of domestic relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients develop value-added benefits as part of their relocation policies. Our team can help your company determine how to define affinity programs that provide positive returns and valuable benefits for employees.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Contact our experts online to learn more about how to define affinity programs in your company’s relocation policy, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

Categories
Choosing a Relocation Company Relocation Technology

What Should a Company Consider When Choosing Relocation Technology?

finance dashboard with financial charts and data graphs, business intelligence concept on screen of laptop computer

Choosing relocation technology requires careful consideration. The solution to making the right choice is to know what questions to ask. Companies should ask their Relocation Management Company (RMC) a number of questions to ensure they receive an industry-leading technology.

What are the 5 Major Questions Companies Should Ask?

When it comes to choosing relocation technology companies should ask five major questions. While all of the questions are important, perhaps first and foremost is:

Question #1: Is the relocation technology secure, safe, and fully compliant?

RMCs should have systems that are compliant, as well as operable even during periods of disruption. Consider performing a security assessment of the RMC. Ask for the RMC’s business continuity plan. Answers that should be forthcoming would assure companies that:

  1. Relocating employee’s personal information is fully secure and protected
  2. Privacy setup is compliant with all regulatory requirements
  3. Necessary organization service controls are in place

Question #2: How will choosing relocation technology like this solution help our relocating employees?

Since employees will interact with the technology, it should be seen as helpful. A robust technology solution will provide employees with a positive experience. Answers to look for would include:

  1. The technology is fully accessible across any type of devices, including tablets and smartphones
  2. It can be used by relocating employees as well as candidates for positions
  3. All aspects of relocation should be covered including:
    • Expense submission and tracking—real-time and online
    • Travel arrangements
    • Tools to help transferees learn new languages and cultures
    • Access to details of all relocation benefits
    • Easy to use calculators to create buy versus rent comparisons
    • Alerts that can be sent by text or email
    • Virtual destination information and guides

Question #3: How will choosing relocation technology help our company’s relocation program?

Answers should provide assurance of a robust single-platform technology solution. The relocation technology should provide all departments that have an interest in relocation with helpful tools to understand, administer, and report on the program. Human resources, talent acquisition, accounting, and other administrative stakeholders should be able to increase their efficiency with:

  1. Online tools and resources such as reports for planning and management
  2. Analytics and tools for pre-hire and decision processes
  3. Easy to customize dashboards for data displays
  4. Budgeting and cost estimating capabilities
  5. Comprehensive performance analytics including metrics and service level agreements
  6. Easy to customize online relocation initiation and approval processes
  7. Service and financial reporting suites on demand and fully customizable

Question #4: When choosing relocation technology like this, do we know if it is customizable and scalable?

Answers should confirm that you can customize the technology to meet your company’s needs. Views should be easy to change to provide a viewer with the information they need, when they need it. Reports should be easy to create and easy to change so that any user’s needs can be fully met. The technology should be able to accommodate any number of relocating employees, from 10 to 500 or more, as your company grows in size and global footprint.

Question #5: How will this relocation technology integrate with other corporate systems?

Answers should confirm that the technology will integrate with your existing payroll, human resource administration, and other critical operating systems. This will ensure the technology will provide an enhancement to your company’s workflows and processes.

What Should Companies do when Choosing Relocation Technology?

Companies should work with a qualified Relocation Management Company (RMC) that can provide access to a robust relocation technology. MyRelocation™ from Global Mobility Solutions is a single-platform, online relocation management suite that provides our clients and their transferees an array of decision-making, tracking, and expense management tools.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation™ technology platform.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how they can gain the benefits of using a leading relocation technology for managing relocation processes. Our team can help your company learn how to choose relocation technology that is safe, secure, and compliant. This will ensure privacy and protection of employee information. We can also demonstrate our easy to use tools that provide quick and simple solutions for information and expense tracking and reporting.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Learn best practices from Global Mobility Solutions, the relocation industry and technology experts who are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online to discuss your company’s needs for choosing relocation technology, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request a relocation technology demo

Categories
Choosing a Relocation Company Corporate Relocation Corporate relocation tips Relocation Best Practices Relocation Management Relocation Policy Review Talent Mobility

The Future of Corporate Headquarters

Many companies face challenges when considering where to locate their corporate headquarters. Major global companies such as Amazon, Apple, General Electric, and Google have recently announced expansion or relocation efforts that will take them to their next-generation workforce.

Recent expansion and relocation efforts for corporate headquarters have focused on major metropolitan areas.

Corporate Headquarters of Major Companies

Amazon

Amazon plans to create a second corporate headquarters location in Arlington County, Virginia’s Crystal City neighborhood. The location is across from Washington, D.C. The company said it will receive $573 million combined from Virginia and Arlington in performance-based direct incentives. These incentives include Amazon creating several thousand jobs at the new location. Notably, although Amazon had originally also chosen a second location in Long Island City, Queens, New York for another headquarters, mounting opposition led the company to pull out of its plans. This speaks to the importance of building local support among all stakeholders for any new corporate headquarters development.

Apple

Apple is planning to expand its presence in Austin, Texas with a $1 Billion new corporate headquarters campus. Apple’s future plans will eventually make it the largest employer in Austin. The new campus will accommodate 5,000 employees to start, and feature capacity for up to 15,000 employees.

General Electric

General Electric relocated its corporate headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts in 2016 and instantly became the state’s largest public company. Company officials noted that the Boston metropolitan area’s concentration of top universities and startup technology firms was the main attraction for their relocation. The move is seen as a way for the industrial conglomerate to rebrand itself as a forward-looking technology company. Although GE continues to face challenging markets and a changing economic future, the fundamental reason for the company’s move is shown in their intent to remain in Boston.

Google

Google plans to spend $1 Billion to expand the company’s New York City Hudson Square facility. The campus will be the main corporate location for its New York-based global business organization. The company will double its New York City workforce.

Corporate Headquarters Require Workforce with Significant Skills and Education

Companies looking to expand or relocate their corporate headquarters require employees with skills and education. Typical functions at these locations may focus on executive and managerial roles, product engineering and development, talent acquisition and talent management, sales and marketing, corporate communications, legal concerns, and finance. Many of the positions within these functions require degrees from institutions of higher education. Employees must be proficient with technology across multiple platforms. They must also display a broad range of soft skills including verbal and written communication, coaching, and leadership. Any company looking at a new location should work to keep current employees with desired skills and education during the relocation.

What Should Employers Seeking to Expand or Relocate Their Corporate Headquarters do?

Companies that are looking to expand or relocate their corporate headquarters should work with a Relocation Management Company (RMC) that has expert knowledge and extensive experience in corporate relocation services. Corporate relocation programs provide companies and employees all of the resources and tools they need to ensure a smooth and successful relocation process.

Choose an RMC that provides ongoing employee support services, supplier management, relocation benefits, and expense management. Employers should provide many resources for their relocating employees and their families. As a result, they will feel confident in accepting their new assignments and enthusiastic about the company’s corporate headquarters relocation.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has the knowledge and expertise to help your company manage its corporate headquarters relocation budget. We will also offer your employees the best relocation experience during a corporate headquarters expansion or relocation. This will increase your company’s ability to retain current employees as well as attract new hires at your new location.

Contact our team of experts to discuss how we can help your company’s corporate headquarters relocation budget stay within company guidelines, or call us directly at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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About

Contact Us

About Us

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

Other Services

Our Technology

Global Relocation

Group Moves

U.S. & Canadian Relocation

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

About

Contact Us

About Us

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

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