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Corporate Relocation

Virtual Tutoring Helps Ensure Successful Relocations

Many transferees relocating with children can benefit from virtual tutoring. When family matters are taken into account, relocations are more likely to be successful. Relocation programs should include career support for spouses. They should also take care to ensure children’s needs are met. School searches and identifying specific needs helps ensure children acclimate well to their new location.

GMS spoke with Inigo Lopez, CEO of BiCortex Business Language Services. Through their experience and research, Inigo’s company has determined that one of the main reasons relocation programs do not succeed is because the family’s adaptation to their new location is not successful. Inigo agreed to share his expert guidance on this topic.

Helping Children Learn at Their Own Pace With Virtual Tutoring

In Inigo’s experience, children learn faster than adults. They also generally do not experience problems learning languages. However, adapting to their new school is usually the hardest part of the whole relocation experience. School curriculums are different in every country and therefore the requirements will differ between international schools.

Virtual tutoring sessions give the opportunity for parents to be more flexible with their time. At the same time, parents can obtain professional support for their children’s learning across a wide range of school subjects. The extent of tutoring can range from regular lessons or just a little help before an exam.

Virtual Tutoring Options

BiCortex provides tutoring for children in a wide variety of subjects, including:

  • Language (Portuguese, Italian, German, English, Spanish, French)
  • Mathematics, Geometry
  • Chemistry, Science, Biology, Physics
  • Writing/Composition, Literature
  • History
  • Geography

At BiCortex, the tutoring session may be one-to-one, either online or in-person. However, it may also be virtual tutoring in groups with other children, perhaps located in other countries. For example, currently BiCortex is conducting lessons for both Italian and French. In each group there are 3-5 children, aged 9 to 11. The children are from: Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.

Adaptive Virtual Tutoring

BiCortex can provide the right trainer that adapts to your child’s needs. The company can also offer tutoring in the child’s native language if preferred.

Some of the tutoring courses BiCortex provides are the following:

  • Academic Text Revision/Proofreading Services
  • School Tutoring
  • Preparatory Classes for upcoming Exams and Diplomas
  • Preparation for Entrance Exams to Schools and Universities
  • Relocation/Expatriate Trainings
  • Preparation for Foreign Language Schools

In cases where either the students request to have lessons virtually (with a live trainer), or due to major disruptions such as offices closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BiCortex delivers training online.

The BiCortex Virtual Tutoring Platform

BiCortex has its own platform to deliver virtual instructor-led lessons in a fully professional, secure, and GDPR-compliant format.

Features of this state-of-the-art virtual tutoring platform include:

Ease of Use

  • Download-free (no need to install a plug-in on most browsers)
  • Scheduling directly by students based on course or instructor availability
  • Class reminders and notifications
  • Interactive whiteboard

Language Friendly

  • Interface in several languages
  • Toolbox with extensive list of verb conjugations for the following languages: German, English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Swedish

Audio/Video

  • Superior audio/video quality
  • Recording/playing-back audio and video excerpts

Lessons, Documents, Assignments

  • Lesson materials are pre-loaded
  • Document sharing
  • Homework and assignments for students

Reporting Capabilities

  • Attendance reports
  • Learning analytics

Just as with face-to-face training, the content and methodology are adapted to the children’s needs. Also, books and materials are either virtual or delivered to the children through mail delivery services.

What Should Employers do About Virtual Tutoring?

Relocating employees will have questions regarding their children’s education. From the choice of schools to the availability of specialized learning programs, all aspects of the education process are important to address. Employers should provide information about virtual tutoring solutions and other helpful resources. By providing useful resources for transferees and their children, your company will help ensure a successful relocation.

GMS provides our clients with an extensive range of virtual tutoring solutions, language training services, and many other valuable resources so employee relocations are successful. Our high-touch service model fully extends to helping transferees and their children with everything they need to ensure a successful educational experience during their relocation process.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients learn about valuable resources such as virtual tutoring for children. These resources help relocating employees and their children quickly and easily settle in to their new location. Our team can help your company determine the best virtual tutoring solution for your relocation program to promote successful relocations.

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.

New SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal

GMS recently launched its new SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal featuring a number of helpful resources including:

  • Curated selection of news and articles specific to managing relocation programs and issues relating to COVID-19
  • Comprehensive guide to national, international, and local online sources for current data
  • Program/Policy Evaluation (PPE) Tool for instant relocation policy reviews

Contact our experts online to discuss virtual tutoring for children as a valuable resource for your company’s relocation program, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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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

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.

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Successful Language Training: What Does it Look Like, and What Can it Provide?

Successful language training often helps employees determine if they can easily accept a global assignment. Many transferees may have a commanding grasp of several languages. Language proficiency and other professional skills often prepare them well for work in a new location. However, their family members may not be as proficient in multiple languages. The prospect of relocating to a destination where language may become a barrier can be daunting.

Employers should inquire as to whether transferees, their spouses, and their family members have proficiency in the language that is most in use at their new location. If they do not have proficiency, employers should provide assistance with language training.

What Does Successful Language Training Look Like?

Language training programs may include several helpful elements. All of these elements work together to provide transferees and their family members with valuable communication skills. These programs provide professional resources that are proven to assist transferees and their family members successfully settle in to their new location.

GMS spoke with Inigo Lopez, CEO of BiCortex Business Language Services to learn more about how participants can get the most out of their language training programs. Inigo agreed to share his expert guidance on this topic.

Successful Language Training Should be Efficient

Inigo notes that for greatest efficiency, students should study in a private class. Also, the number of student in group classes should always be kept to a minimum. The best solutions are tailored to the student’s specific needs including:

  • Preferred location (home, office or a neutral location)
  • Level of education
  • Business industry
  • Student’s professional and personal objectives

Language training that uses multiple methods to teach students typically has the highest rate of success. These methods may include conversation, use of visual aids, grammar exercises, and self-study. Also, students report higher levels of satisfaction with the training program. As a result, they are also more highly motivated.

Successful Language Training by Expert Language Trainers

Inigo believes the best language training providers work with trainers with the following profile:

  1. Significant number of years within the field of education
  2. Native and multilingual teachers
  3. Qualifications from renowned colleges and universities
  4. Highly motivated specialists with excellent customer feedback

Language Training and Complementary Services

Beyond language training, good solutions offer a range of complementary services. Inigo believes language training and other services can work together to help students reach the highest level of success. For example, tutoring can extend beyond language to include academic support in schools, preparatory classes for examinations, diplomas, and entrance exams, or writing papers.

Additionally, training should incorporate a wide variety of formats. Live online classes, online module learning, and custom solutions all work together to help students learn at their own pace.

What are Students of Successful Language Training Saying?

Inigo provided comments from several students who have utilized language training solutions successfully. Their comments show the amount of value that language training can provide:

M. recently relocated from Colombia to the United States

“My goal is to learn the English language because now we live in the United States…the language training classes helped me a lot…my level is very low as a beginner. My advice to others who want to learn a new language would be that first you really need to want to learn and receive classes both on grammar and tenses, classes can be online as it is similar to face to face in my experience.

The best thing for me is to simply learn, I love to learn more things every day. English for me is a priority and is a goal of mine in 2020. My favorite resources were the internet based tools and videos.”

R. recently relocated from India to the United Kingdom

“My main goal is to be fluent in it, and be confident. So far it is good, my teacher helps very much, and I like her classes. My advice to others is try to use English every day, read books, when looking for a word you do not know yet, always use more than one dictionary.

The best thing about learning a new language is that I am able to develop my confidence level, improving my social interaction and encouraging connection between peers. For me, the best way to learn has always been watching movies and shows. A good way to learn and practice English is to talk with our friends.”

What Should Employers do About Language Training?

The most successful company relocation programs provide a wealth of support programs and services for transferees and their family members since they are often key to ensuring a successful relocation. GMS provides our clients with an extensive range of language training programs as well as other valuable business services so employee relocations are successful. Our high-touch service model fully extends to helping transferees and their family members with everything they need during their relocation process.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients develop successful language training programs to help their relocating employees and their family members settle in to their new location. Our team can help your company determine the best language training solution for your relocation program. As a result, this will help promote successful relocations.

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.

Contact our experts online to discuss successful language training solutions to help your transferees and their family members, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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What is the Best Way to Learn a New Language and Culture?

Learning a new language and culture can be challenging. Many employers go to great lengths to identify candidates for global relocation assignments. Often these positions require a specific set of skills and education. Also, the candidate must have a desire to learn new languages and cultures. Pre-decision services are valuable in this stage of the relocation process.

Pre-Decision Services

Employers gain a wealth of information from pre-decision services. As a result, employers can forecast relocation costs, understand candidate motivations, and provide candidates with helpful resources.

Pre-decision services often include:

  • Candidate Assessment – Assess candidate expectation, skills, personal qualities, family circumstance, and financial preparedness.
  • Cost of Living Analysis – Cost of living comparison of origin and destination cities to help determine acceptable or competitive salary range.
  • Market Analysis – Determines the likely home sale timeline and identifies potential home sale challenges such as negative equity.
  • School Reports – Public and Private School reports provided to the relocating employee to aid community selection.
  • Moving Cost Estimates – Cost estimates on household goods transportation, helps budget for relocation costs.
  • Community Search & Tours – Coordinates community orientation tours to familiarize relocating employees to their new location, and assist in selecting an area that fits their particular interests.

By using pre-decision services, employers gain many benefits. Candidate job acceptance ratios rise and global relocation success rates increase. With these rising acceptance ratios, employers can rest assured that candidates are ready and willing to do what it takes to be successful.

What About the Global Location’s Language and Culture?

Once the candidate accepts the global relocation, employers can help them increase their chances for success. By providing valuable tools for candidates, employers help them fully prepare for their new position. One valuable tool is a virtual trainer for language and culture.

Global Relocation Virtual Trainer for Language and Culture

A virtual trainer for language and culture allows candidates to access training anytime, anywhere. This access gives candidates the flexibility they need. Whether traveling or in a remote location, the virtual trainer lets candidates learn at their own pace.

Language Modules include:

  • Intuitive, straightforward interface
  • Self-paced lessons
  • Focus on conversation proficiency
  • Cultural insights and nuances that impact vocabulary and grammar
  • Mobile apps for quick brush-ups

Cultural Modules include:

  • One-on-one personal training via webcam
  • Coaches explain how to see cultural differences to promote synergy
  • Practical and actionable guidance to operate in business settings
  • Learning to leverage skill sets found in other cultures
  • Communicates values including mutual respect and understanding

What Does This Mean?

Relocating employees who use a global relocation virtual trainer greatly increase their chances for success. Employers that offer this valuable resource also save from 50% to 75% over the usual costs of language and culture training. The cloud-based software lets Human Resource professionals focus on corporate objectives. Relocating employees gain valuable skills that can help them succeed in future endeavors.

What Should Employers do for Language and Culture Training?

Employers should work with a qualified Relocation Management Company (RMC) that can provide access to a global relocation virtual trainer. Employers considering relocating new hires or transferees to global locations should provide them with as many valuable resources as possible. This will help the relocating employees increase their language and culture knowledge. As a result, these employees will be more likely to succeed in their assignment.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how they can gain the benefits of using a global relocation virtual trainer. Our team can help your company understand how to provide your relocating employees with valuable and easy to use tools for language and culture training.

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 language and culture training needs, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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