Does Your Relocation Management Company Have a Business Continuity Plan?
Your company may have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place. This will ensure your organization can continue operating during an unplanned event. Many companies go to great lengths to ensure essential business functions continue regardless of what kind of disruption may occur.
Do you know if your Relocation Management Company (RMC) has a similar document to ensure they can provide essential services? RMCs should have a BCP so they can assure their clients that relocation services will continue during any possible situation that could cause disruptions.
What Situations Might Cause a Disruption for Your RMC?
It is impossible to list every possible disruption that your RMC may encounter. However, a few specific situations illustrate the importance of ensuring your RMC can continue operations according to their Business Continuity Plan.
Weather
Relocations often are subject to adverse weather conditions. Household goods shipments as well as travel plans may face delays due to severe storms such as hurricanes, blizzards, and ice storms. Severe weather can cause destruction of transportation networks and storage facilities. In 2017, the United States endured 16 destructive weather and climate events that each caused over a billion dollars of damage, including floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Human Error
Any business is subject to human error. However well-intentioned, simple mistakes could cause significant issues for transferees, new hires, and your company. Your RMC should have sufficiently secure processes and systems in their Business Continuity Plan to prevent human error from causing huge and costly issues for your business.
Cyber-Attack
A cyber-attack is when one or more computers launch an attack against another computer, several computers, or an entire computer network. The goal may be to disrupt service. Alternatively, the goal may be to gain information. Your RMC will likely have access to some of your company and transferee’s data. As a result, their BCP should include plans regarding the impact of cyber-attacks.
What Should Your RMC Include in Their Business Continuity Plan?
Every BCP should include basic information that tells the RMC what the plan includes, and how to implement the plan. Major points to look for:
Contact information for the organization and employees who will implement the BCP
Revision and change management for the BCP
Business Continuity Plan purpose and scope of the plan
Specific instances that indicate when users should activate the BCP
Emergency organizations including contacts and responsibilities
Information on insurance and other policies
Procedures with detail so users have guidelines for how they should proceed
Clear diagrams to show how the business will proceed
Helpful checklists to remind Business Continuity Plan users what they should do
Plan for reviewing, testing, and revising the BCP on a regular basis
What Should Your Company Do?
Your company should contact your RMC and ask for their Business Continuity Plan. Be sure the plan covers all of the major points noted herein. The plan should have details regarding continuity in the face of unplanned events regarding weather, human error, cyber-attacks, and other issues including supplier work stoppages, security concerns, and natural disasters.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand the importance of ensuring their RMC has a detailed Business Continuity Plan. We can help your company understand what should be included in a BCP. With this knowledge, you and your transferees can have confidence that relocation services will not face disruption.
GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com, 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.
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 or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Shot of a happy young couple holding the keys to their new home
Why should your company encourage transferees to buy instead of rent? Our team of global relocation experts review thousands of relocation policies on a regular basis. We work with our clients to incorporate best practices, so they can gain a competitive edge with their relocation policies and attract the highest caliber of talent.
Consistently, many relocation policies have not offered home purchase benefits to current renters. Instead, current renters received benefits that directed them to remain as renters. Recent consultation with several clients provides new insight into this practice.
Many clients are now offering home purchase benefits to current renters, to encourage transferees to buy instead of rent. This trend is increasing, as clients are learning that home purchase benefits for current renters return several benefits back to the client in terms of employee retention. As we examine this trend, a new best practice is appearing in relocation policies.
There are 7 distinct benefits for clients when they encourage transferees to buy instead of rent:
1. Transferees establish strong roots in a neighborhood and community.
Think of the time you may have taken a job and moved to a new location. You may have spent time finding a new home and exploring neighborhoods. Your family members may have expressed what was important for their needs as well. Factors may include nearby schools, or amenities like parks and shopping centers.
Each facet of a community becomes a part of a transferee’s life. As a result, those who put down strong roots by establishing home ownership are more likely to remain committed to their neighborhood, their city, and their employer.
2. Transferees can personalize a home so they can settle in comfortably, so encourage transferees to buy.
Transferees who buy can easily personalize a home to meet their distinct preferences. Everything from painting their front door to match a favorite color to decorating interior spaces to their liking can lead to greater transferee satisfaction with their living arrangements. Satisfaction with their home is more likely to lead transferees to feel satisfied with their relocation as well.
Renters, on the other hand, often are limited to moving into an apartment, and cannot easily customize the space. Even if they do some customization such as interior painting, they often must return the apartment to its original condition if they were to vacate. Renters face a strong disincentive when it comes to personalizing their living space. Living in a space they cannot personalize often makes renters feel as if they are nomads. The end of their lease is already defined, which seems to put a mark on their time in a specific location. This may lead transferees to believe they can easily move to another apartment, or another position.
Corporate talent acquisition should work in tandem with employee retention so relocation policies offer home purchase benefits. This will help encourage transferees to feel as if their relocation is permanent, and not a temporary state.
3. Monthly mortgage costs are consistent year to year, while rents can increase dramatically.
One of the benefits to buying a home versus renting is the stability of mortgage payments. Monthly costs for a mortgage tend to be consistent year to year, defined by the terms of the mortgage upfront. As a result, this allows buyers to know their monthly housing costs and provides for better budgeting and financial planning.
Renters could face a rent increase as soon as their lease expires. There are many reasons why landlords would increase rent, including higher property taxes, inflation, or higher building maintenance costs. They might just want to make more money, and if demand for rentals in the area is high, then rent increases are easy to implement because those who move are easily replaced with other renters. Increases in rent could be exceptionally high. Therefore, renters need to make a decision on a regular basis if they want to absorb the cost of the rent increase, or take on the additional expense of searching for a new rental, and paying to move their belongings.
Overall, transferees who rent often are subject to somewhat volatile conditions that can impair their job performance. If they must worry about their housing options in the face of rent increases on a regular basis, transferees certainly cannot easily focus on corporate objectives.
4. Home mortgages are similar to saving plans and investments, and owners can more easily move up to a larger home at a later date.
There are numerous benefits to home ownership, and transferees can gain greater satisfaction with their relocation with home purchase benefits. Home ownership lets transferees build financial equity, and a home is an investment that will increase over time. Homeowners have tax benefits they can claim as well. Mortgage interest, property taxes, and other items may provide tax deductions on an annual basis. As a home gains value over time, and as the homeowner builds greater equity each year as their mortgage balance declines, homeowners have a built-in savings and investment vehicle in real estate they can use in the future.
Employers benefit if they encourage transferees to buy instead of rent by reinforcing the high value homeownership returns to the transferee, cementing their interest in staying in a location.
5. In many markets, rentals are extremely competitive to secure and the costs exceed homeownership. Security deposits can often exceed a home purchase down payment.
Brooklyn
Several markets have seen the cost of rentals rise far beyond the cost of homeownership. A recent example can be found in Brooklyn, New York. A three bedroom, one bathroom apartment at 378 Grand Avenue is listed on Zillow at $3,900 per month (not including renter’s insurance costs).
A house located at 575 Jerome Street with five bedrooms and two bathrooms is listed for $599,000. Using a mortgage calculator, over a 30 year time period at a rate of 3.92%, with a mortgage balance of $575,000, taxes of $6,000, insurance of $1,500, and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) of 0.5%, the monthly mortgage costs for the house are $3,583.27.
In Brooklyn, a renter at 378 Grand Avenue can get a receipt for the rent they pay each month. Also, they may face a rent increase at the end of their lease. A homeowner can get more space, tax benefits, and an equity-building investment vehicle with a home on Jerome Street. It is easy to see how offering home purchase benefits can help transferees feel more satisfaction with their relocation.
Denver
Another recent example can be found in Denver, Colorado. A three bedroom, three bathroom apartment at 2590 Welton Street is listed on Zillow at $3,855 per month (not including renter’s insurance costs). A house located at 90 N. Lincoln Street with three bedrooms and two bathrooms lists for $610,000. Using similar parameters as the other example, with a mortgage balance of $585,559, taxes of $6,000, insurance costs of $1,500, and PMI of 0.5%, the monthly mortgage costs for the house are $3,637.59
6. If a transferee does not commit to their new community, they often view their opportunity as a job and not as a career.
Companies go to great lengths to acquire highly skilled talent. Often companies design relocation packages to highlight the benefits of an employment opportunity, to encourage prospects to accept job offers. In reality, it is in the company’s best interest to have the transferee think of the opportunity as a career offer. Finding and acquiring talent can be challenging.
Companies should have a career plan for the new hire, so they view the opportunity as a career, not as a job. This perception helps transferees commit to staying with their employer. Home purchase benefits let transferees commit to staying in their new community. Transferees that commit to their community are more likely to commit to their career.
7. A transferee who buys is more committed than a transferee who rents. Also, if a client offers home purchase benefits, then the employee knows the company is more committed to the employee.
A company can reinforce employee retention by showing employees they commit to them and their future. Employers should encourage transferees to buy instead of rent. This sends the message that the company wants the transferee to stay. If a company gives the impression to a transferee that they are temporary by only providing rental assistance, the transferee will get that message and feel as if they are a temporary employee.
Employers that give the impression to the transferee that they want them to join their company and their community by putting down roots and buying a home, will have transferees who believe they are part of the company’s future. In talent acquisition and employee retention, the message from the company should always be one of acceptance, inclusion, and permanence. Acquiring highly skilled talent is a difficult challenge. Companies that are successful in this endeavor should make employee retention efforts even more successful by offering home purchase benefits to transferees.
Rent Versus Buy Calculator Will Help Encourage Transferees
Global Mobility Solutions has a wide range of online tools and resources for clients and transferees. GMS’ Rent Versus Buy Calculator is an easy to use, step-by-step program. This program compares the cost of renting versus the cost of buying a home. Employers that encourage transferees to buy instead of rent can use this online tool to encourage homeownership. This in turn helps the transferee make the decision to buy in their new community. This decision will help the transferee feel like a part of the company. As a result, they will be more willing to stay with the company on a long term basis.
What Should Employers do to Encourage Transferees to Buy Instead of Rent?
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients design relocation policies that reflect best practices to promote employee retention. We can help your company understand how to leverage home purchase benefits for current renters to encourage transferees to buy and help ensure successful relocations.
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 or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Handsome businessman talking with phone sitting with laptop on the backseat of the car
More companies are using an expedited bidding process when it comes to outsourcing their relocation program to a Relocation Management Company (RMC). This fundamental shift in a company’s approach to outsourcing relocation has many benefits, including significant cost and time savings. As the pace of business continues to increase, expedited bidding has proven to be a boon for companies that are looking to enhance the management of their relocation program.
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts benchmarked 48 companies that have utilized this process to determine the reasons why this approach has risen in prominence in today’s relocation market. Our team has identified five distinct reasons for the increased utilization of expedited bidding.
Five Reasons Why Companies Prefer an Expedited Bidding Process:
1. Companies Buy Solutions, Not Parts
Purchasing relocation management is a much different process than sourcing parts or equipment. Companies understand that ensuring the right fit for the right reasons is the most important factor when sourcing employee-facing services.
2. Complimentary Mobility Consulting
Policy reviews, program design and recommendations, and policy development and revisions can easily be part of this process. This also allows companies to evaluate an RMC’s experience, knowledge of the relocation process, and the quality of their consulting work.
3. Faster Relocation Program Implementation With an Expedited Bidding Process
Over 90% of companies that utilize an expedited process are able to complete their implementation within 22 days. The speed of this approach allows companies to achieve immediate efficiencies in their programs.
4. Avoiding Formal Requests
Utilizing an expedited bidding process helps companies avoid the administrative burdens and resource-intensive approach typical of the more formal Requests for Information and Requests for Proposals.
5. Immediate Cost Savings
Competition inherent in this process often results in cost savings. Improved fee structures and reduced direct costs result in up-front savings for the client. Savings allow clients to increase their focus on strategic business initiatives while the RMC manages their relocation program.
What Should Employers do to Utilize an Expedited Bidding Process?
Employers should utilize an expedited bidding process as they consider outsourcing their relocation management. A Relocation Management Company with extensive knowledge of the global relocation market and the experience of moving hundreds of thousands of employees will provide the best resources for expedited bidding processes. An experienced RMC can also easily guide companies through the process and achieve highly successful results.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients with their relocation programs. We can help your company understand how to gain the most benefits from utilizing an expedited bidding process. Learn how to choose the best Relocation Management Company from Global Mobility Solutions, the relocation industry and technology experts who are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Many companies approach their relocation program without a full understanding of what questions they should ask of a Relocation Management Company (RMC). Knowing which critical questions to ask is highly important for a company to get a full understanding of how the RMC will manage their relocation program. Missing critical questions can lead to a large gap in expectations and performance. It is in each party’s best interests to be sure the most important questions are asked, and answers returned for review and decision-making.
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts have identified 28 critical questions that they believe companies should ask an RMC. Answers to these questions will provide the company with the most critical knowledge they need in order to make confident and fully informed choices for their relocation program’s design and functionality.
The following five critical questions are representative samples of the types of questions that you should ask an RMC.
Five Representative Critical Questions:
1. What is your service delivery model?
Fully understanding the RMC’s service delivery model is of paramount importance to understanding how the RMC will manage your company’s relocation program. Purchasing relocation management is a much different process than sourcing parts or equipment. Ensuring the right fit for the right reasons is the most important factor when sourcing employee-facing services.
2. Describe your supplier network. Do you own or are obligated to provide business to your suppliers?
It is important to understand if the RMC owns their suppliers, or are in some way obligated to provide business to their suppliers. If this is the case, transferees may not have the ability to choose the provider they want for their relocation process. In some cases, fully qualified suppliers who would provide lower costs might not be able to provide services.
3. How do you ensure competitive pricing from your supplier base?
This is one of the critical questions that will provide great insight into how the RMC operates. In some cases, RMCs will provide for competitive pricing by opening up bidding to multiple suppliers. In other cases, an RMC will try to explain that they can provide competitive pricing by leveraging their own network and spreading costs over a large number of transferee relocations. Be sure you understand what these different responses actually mean. Either the RMC ensures competitive pricing by promoting competitive bidding, or they do not promote competitive bidding.
4. What metrics and service level agreements do you track and report on?
Service level agreements (SLAs) should be a standard part of an RMC’s quality program. Service quality promises might include on time delivery guarantee of household goods, or specific performance guarantees based on transferee ratings. SLAs might cover real estate services, household goods moving, destination services, and financial and reporting services.
5. How do you utilize technology in your approach to relocation management?
RMCs should have technology to complement their service models. Companies, their transferees, and their candidates should expect a seamless relocation experience. Look for RMCs that can provide a superior, proprietary, cross-platform, online relocation management suite. Systems should provide clients and their transferees an array of decision-making, tracking, and expense management tools, with anywhere, anytime access 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.
What should companies do with the answers they receive?
Companies should compare the answers they receive from each RMC to ensure they provide the desired result. Information should be complete, and the answers should be direct and clear without any cause for confusion. Good responses will help the company determine how the RMC will manage their relocation program. Companies should be sure to ask all 28 Critical Questions in order to get the best overall responses.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients with their relocation programs. We can help your company understand which critical questions to ask of an RMC. These questions will help ensure you address the most critical relocation program points. Learn how to choose the best Relocation Management Company from Global Mobility Solutions, the relocation industry and technology experts who are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
With all of the housing options available to you, why should you choose traditional temporary housing provided through a Relocation Management Company (RMC)? Newer providers like online “bnb” websites or rentals offered by owners seem to offer so much more flexibility to meet your travel needs. From studio apartments and lofts in artsy places, to luxurious vacation rentals, the supply of interesting and exotic abodes seems endless. Also, the draw of quick and easy rentals as well as anecdotal stories of great bargains make these places seem irresistible to savvy travelers and transferees alike. With so much to choose from, what could traditional temporary housing offer in comparison?
Before you book yourself and your family into a rental through online providers, look into these four specific areas to be sure the rental meets your full requirements:
1. Security Standards
Do you know if there is a security system at the location? Is the rental’s location in a safe and family-friendly neighborhood? What about the Wi-Fi System? Traditional temporary housing locations receive evaluations on several criteria. Employees must undergo background checks. Building security undergoes an assessment. Even if a rental location is advertised as having good security, or is claimed to be in a safe neighborhood, has this been verified? Do you know if the area changes character depending on the day or hour?
2. Cleanliness
Temporary housing must meet specific cleanliness and quality standards, and undergoes professional cleaning prior to rentals. Is this what you will find through an online rental provider? Travelers often see and remark on the differences in cleanliness standards among hotel chains. Do you know if there are any cleanliness standards at the online provider’s rental unit? Will you have to perform cleaning services yourself? How would you know if surfaces are clean and sanitary? Would you be able to determine if surfaces have simply been wiped down with a single cleaning rag throughout the entire rental unit?
3. Move-in Inspection
Traditional temporary housing provided by an RMC includes a full move-in inspection covering several points. This inspection is to ensure the renters can verify the state of the unit. They also have an opportunity to note any discrepancies within the rental paperwork before moving in to the unit. However, many online rental providers are not onsite to greet renters and may not offer a move-in inspection. As such, renters are often at risk if something is not in working order, missing, or broken, and they are unable to provide proof the item was in that condition prior to their moving in.
4. Maintenance and Emergencies
Traditional temporary housing provided by an RMC includes information and processes for renters to follow should any item require maintenance, or should an emergency arise. Major equipment receives maintenance and service on a regular schedule. However, online rental providers may not provide specific instructions and processes for maintenance. Also, they may not be in a position to assist the renters during emergencies. Major equipment may not be maintained by professionals on a regular basis. Also, there are usually no guarantees in place should the renter determine the unit no longer meets their needs even if major equipment does not work properly.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients find traditional temporary housing that fully meets transferring employees and their family member’s requirements for security, cleanliness, and move-in readiness. As a result, we can help your company find the best temporary housing options for your relocation program. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Cheerful mid adult Asian nurse stands confidently in doctor's office or hospital. She has her arms crossed.
One of the ways healthcare companies adjust to the challenge of hiring and keeping employees who are talented and have extensive skill sets is through short term assignments. By structuring their employment needs to provide relocation opportunities, many healthcare companies have been able to attract highly qualified candidates who want to travel to new locations on a regular basis with short term assignments. Healthcare companies can benefit from a relocation policy to provide candidates who desire these positions with several programs that give them helpful options for successful relocations.
Short Term Assignments
Many healthcare professionals prefer short term assignments, and find the adventure and opportunity exciting and fulfilling. Several segments of healthcare employment now utilize short term assignments, which can last from a few days to several weeks, with the majority falling into a four to eight week timeframe. Additionally, many of these short term assignments offer a wide range of benefits including competitive pay and a variety of locations. Healthcare professionals who flourish in these roles are comfortable with a great deal of flexibility, have a positive attitude, and exhibit a high level of excellence in the performance of their duties.
Professional and Personal Development
Challenging roles in short term assignments can range from covering during a staff shortage, to assisting with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) conversions. In accepting these positions, the healthcare professional expands their knowledge and skill sets, and often become topical experts in the field. This in turn helps increase their professional growth and marketability within their field. Also, working short term assignments helps healthcare professionals grow personally. Being open-minded and staying calm under pressure increases adaptability to challenges and promotes quick thinking and decision making skills.
Career Resources
Healthcare Traveler, a part of the Modern Medicine network, provides information, career resources, and job listings for qualified candidates interested in short term assignments. Visitors can search job listings by keywords including title, skills, or company, and by location, so they can find a number of matches for which they may be qualified. For example, searching for a specific position within a city might return listings from the local network or the national network. This service provides an extremely valuable resource for candidates seeking short term assignment opportunities in specific locations.
Housing Options
In addition to career resources designed for short term assignments, several short term housing networks provide healthcare professionals with a wide range of housing options to match their short term durations. The proliferation of home sharing services give short term assignees the flexibility of short term housing that is already set up with furniture, fixtures, home goods, and utilities ready for immediate use. Other helpful resources include Home Away, Vacation Rental by Owner, Craigslist, Zillow, Trulia, Apartments.com, local realtors, and networks of friends who can provide good referrals to short term housing options. Healthcare companies should provide quick and easy access to a network of short term living and corporate housing options for short term assignments.
Short Term Assignment Benefits
There are many distinct benefits that health care companies provide to their employees who choose short term assignments in healthcare as their preferred career option:
High levels of pay reflective of the critical need for highly skilled short term assignees
Healthcare starting on Day One to prevent lapse of insurance coverage
TeleDoc which allows for treatment and prescriptions over the phone during travel
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Retirement Benefits with eligibility on Day One
Employee Assistance Programs
Insurance for Life, Accidental Death, and Disability
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of corporate relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients develop relocation programs that attract and retain qualified employees. Our team can help your healthcare company by using industry best practices to design a relocation program that works well for short term assignments, while effectively communicating your company’s value proposition in the healthcare industry.
Contact our experts online to discuss your healthcare company’s short term assignment relocation program needs, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Happy young couple sitting on the mattress in their new apartment in the morning and using laptop together. Cardboard boxes in the background.
What are the major 2018 global relocation trends shaping the industry? As workforce mobility and employee relocation continues to increase, several trends change how clients respond to increasing employee requirements regarding their relocation needs. Also, global changes in how employees are able to accept transferee assignments, such as limits on working visas and work permits, further impact company plans for mobility.
Our team of global relocation experts have identified five key trends that are shaping 2018 Global Relocation.
2018 Global Relocation Trends
Growth in Partner and Spouse Career Support Programs
As companies continue to expand globally, the need for a mobile workforce to accept transferee assignments has increased exponentially. Along with this mobile workforce, services designed specifically for spouses and partners have become increasingly important to employees. Spouses and partners are critical to ensuring transferee success. It is important for clients to provide support and information specifically for spouses and partners to help them with their relocation process. Specifically, pre-decision support, an online job search and assistance portal, and professional career services are important programs and services for spouses and partners. Transferees can be secure in the knowledge that their spouses and partners will receive as much assistance as they need to be successful in their new location.
Flexible and Responsive Global Relocation Programs
Global relocation programs need to provide enough flexibility to anticipate and provide for challenges and opportunities that are unique to specific locations. Many multi-national clients have designed a corporate-level relocation program, which then is further customized for each international headquarter location. Relocation programs designed at the corporate level need to provide for a multitude of options and differences across locations. Our recent Case Study on Implementation Success Factors describes in detail the importance of identifying all stakeholders and engaging them early in the process to ensure implementation success.
Immigration Challenges
Countries are increasingly placing limits on the number and types of working visas and work permits that allow transferees to enter the country legally for work assignments. Some countries such as the United Kingdom have seen the number of applications exceed the monthly quota. Other countries such as China have changed requirements and set up a Working Permits Points System that emphasizes transferees with specialized knowledge. The United States has instituted travel restrictions for specific locations, and has increased enforcement of immigration requirements. As countries around the world respond to migration challenges, the impact on global relocation programs will continue to evolve.
Technology Advances
Global relocation programs continue to respond to evolving technology changes. Increasingly, mobile technology must be responsive to provide transferees with information and solutions during their relocation process when they need it, wherever they are located. Transferees should be able to get information on the go, and upload expenses for quick reimbursement. Mobile enhanced relocation technology solutions such as MyRelocation should be available, as it is platform-responsive and able to be accessed anywhere, making it the most useful solution for a mobile workforce.
Outsourcing Relocation Programs to Industry Experts
Global relocation programs must cover a wide array of specialized issues such as tax, visa applications, and compliance reporting. Furthermore, it is to a client’s best advantage to consult with experts who have knowledge and experience in the specific aspects of these areas as they relate to global relocation programs. Companies can benefit from an outsourced solution that specializes in unique relocation needs. Working with relocation experts who have extensive experience in these and other areas can help a company avoid risks and respond more effectively to transferee’s requests for guidance and advice.
Conclusion
Thoroughly reviewing your global relocation policy and benchmarking to industry best practices keeps your company at the forefront of your industry peers, reinforces employee satisfaction, and promotes successful relocations. The global relocation experts at Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) have the knowledge and expertise to help your company remain at the forefront of 2018 global relocation trends, and offer your employees the best relocation experience.
Profile of a happy couple browsing a tablet in the street.
If your company’s relocation plans include Seattle, Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has created the perfect way for your employees to visit the city from the comfort of their home, office, or anywhere they may be located. GMS Video Spotlight for Seattle and other locations help viewers learn more about new and exciting places.
GMS is producing Video Spotlights at the request of our clients who want to share as much information as possible with their employees to ensure successful relocations. Showing the highlights and attractions of an area helps prospective employees, transferees, and their families gain a sense of comfort and lets them quickly acclimate to a new location.
GMS’s Video Spotlight for Seattle highlights the following five main topics:
1. Climate and Geography
The weather in a new location might have an impact on an employee’s decision to accept a relocation assignment. Seattle is located in the US Northwest, an area of dense forests, mountains, and islands located on the Puget Sound. Seattle is widely known for its rainfall, and has been named “The Emerald City” for its abundance of lush vegetation and greenery. The city and surrounding area boasts an enviable amount of outdoor activities for enthusiasts. The climate is mostly moderate and average high/low temperatures range from 47 °F / 37 °F in January to 76 °F / 56 °F in August.
2. Cost of Living and Transportation
Employees and their families benefit from knowing how the relocation assignment will provide for their economic welfare. Knowledge of an area’s cost of living, range of housing options, and transportation venues including air, rail, ferry, and highways help employees make informed choices for their new home and understand commute travel times. Premier airports such as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) provide a sense of comfort for employees and their families who may have relocated a far distance.
3. Lifestyle, Sports, and Attractions
A major metropolitan area such as Seattle provides a wide range of attractions to suit nearly any interest. Outdoor adventures abound within parks and trails, art enthusiasts will find many museums and installations including the Chihuly Garden and Glass, and sports fans have major teams such as MLB’s Seattle Mariners and NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. The Video Spotlight will take your employees and their families on an exciting visual journey to major attractions including the iconic Seattle Space Needle.
4. Shopping, Dining, and Culture
Employees and their families can learn first-hand where major shopping venues are located. They can find their favorite stores and locate the services they need. This helps them feel “at home” in this new location. They can also find out which restaurants helped Seattle earn a top spot on Conde Nast Traveler’s list of the 20 “Best American Cities for Foodies” so they can make plans for a great meal and feel they are a part of this exciting city.
5. Schools and Education
Employees with school age children or teens preparing for college can learn about all of the public and private school choices available to them in their new location. Notable colleges and universities include the world-renowned University of Washington and the Art Institute of Seattle.
Conclusion
Providing a wealth of resources for employees with relocation assignments helps companies remain competitive in their industry. Our clients have noted how helpful our Global and North America destination spotlights are for their employees. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) continues to extend the many valuable resources we provide to our clients into new technologies and easy to use formats.
See our Seattle Video Spotlight here:
To see one of our exciting Video Spotlights, or to learn how our team of relocation program experts can help your company provide industry-leading resources to your prospective employees and transferees, contact us online or call us at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
What are the benefits of outsourcing relocation programs? Companies that want to stay ahead of their competitors and attract highly qualified employees offer a well-designed corporate relocation program. Employees are looking for relocation programs to provide a wide range of benefits and services to ensure they have an easy and smooth relocation process. Companies that offer a relocation program that is managed entirely in-house face several challenges in trying to meet the demands and expectations of a widespread workforce. There are many benefits to outsourcing relocation programs that companies should consider as they review their offerings.
There are five key in-house relocation program challenges, and five crucial benefits that outsourcing provides to help company relocation programs be successful:
1. Program Managed by Various Locations or Individuals
Local HR teams may have different interpretations of programs and policies, so variations may impact the benefits transferees receive.
Outsourcing Benefit: When choosing to outsource, company relocation programs benefit from central program management with local support. At all times, a consistent and coherent program is administered and fully supported in all locations, with no variations by locale or individual interpretation.
2. Employees or Local HR Assume Additional Responsibilities
A company choosing to offer an in-house relocation program must rely on current employees and local HR teams to assume additional responsibilities. Some current employees may not have experience with relocation programs, so there may be a learning curve requiring additional time and training.
Outsourcing Benefit: Teams of fully trained relocation experts handle the interpretation and delivery of policies, ensuring employees receive the same benefits across the board.
3. Frequent Exception of “Special Deals”
In-house relocation programs are susceptible to frequent exceptions of “special deals” when employees try to find ways to help transferees and their families with unique challenges. Companies often do not have the resources to understand the unique challenges posed with relocation and how they have been addressed by other companies, likely resulting in unforeseen and unbudgeted obligations.
Outsourcing Benefit: Relocation experts with significant industry experience can use their knowledge to help companies understand how best to manage exceptions, minimizing expenses and process disruptions.
4. Relocation Costs not Effectively Tracked
Over 70% of companies that manage relocation in-house are not aware of their program’s internal operating costs. Without effective relocation program expense tracking, the true costs are hidden and thus cannot be effectively controlled or minimized.
Outsourcing Benefit: “Best of the Best” providers are utilized so transferees and their families receive exceptional services while costs can be fully identified, tracked, and reviewed for budgetary impact and program performance.
5. Increased Likelihood of Assignment Failures
Companies offering a relocation program hope their transferees have a successful relocation. However, the likelihood of assignment failure is high due to the in-house team’s lack of experience and knowledge when helping transferees and their families understand and address the unique challenges they face during the relocation process.
Outsourcing Benefit: Companies can benefit from an outsourced solution that specializes in unique relocation needs including tax issues, visa applications, and compliance reporting. Working with relocation experts who have extensive experience in these and other areas can help a company avoid risk related to transferee’s requests for guidance and advice.
Conclusion
The most successful companies outsource their relocation programs so employees and their families have access to industry-leading resources and expert guidance. The corporate relocation experts at Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) help our clients understand how to create and administer a relocation program that gives them a competitive advantage and provides the highest level of relocation benefits and services for their employees.
To learn more about the many benefits outsourcing your corporate relocation program can provide for your company and employees, contact our team of experts online, or call us at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
Successful companies design their corporate relocation programs to provide a valuable benefit to their relocating employees. To stay competitive in their industry, many companies review their relocation policies on a regular basis and adjust them as needed to meet industry benchmark performance levels. Travel tools and services tailored to meet their transferees’ needs are one area where a company can stay ahead of their competitors.
Our industry benchmarking study shows less than 23% of Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) offer any form of travel tools to clients. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) is one of the few companies in the relocation industry to provide a full range of travel tools for transferees. We created our range of offerings in response to our client’s needs.
These are the most helpful travel tools for relocation programs:
Direct Billing
The ability to have travel costs direct billed to your organization or to GMS, with zero markup, reduces paperwork and administrative costs. Your employees won’t need to pay for out of pocket expenses or submit for reimbursements, and your company receives an itemized invoice noting all travel expenses, simplifying the process.
Travel Policy Compliance
Travel Policy guidelines within an online travel tool will communicate guidelines to your employees, ensuring compliance. A good travel policy online portal displays the specific options and features for your company’s policy, with limits that reflect your policy’s guidelines.
Entry/Re-entry/Tax Compliance
A good travel tool for companies will keep track of where assignees are located to ensure entry/re-entry compliance as well as the number of days within a country for tax compliance purposes.
Traveler Tracking (GPS)
The ability to track employee travel for safety and days-in-country purposes is a valuable travel tool. Tracking technology using software or log-in functionality can be leveraged to provide valuable travel information.
Comprehensive and Customizable Reporting
A robust reporting capability is an invaluable travel tool. Comprehensive and customizable reports will help you measure the effectiveness of your travel program, and easily find areas in need of further review.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) provides clients with a complete, comprehensive travel program, including the ability to book flights, trains, hotels, and cars worldwide, with the industry’s leading range of superior travel tools. Our clients can choose from three different levels of travel services through a tiered travel program.
To learn more about our three different levels of travel services, ask our relocation program experts to explain the benefits of our tiered travel program. We can help your company design an industry-leading travel policy with the travel tools to make your transferee’s experience smooth and easy. Contact us online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
