Posts Tagged ‘International Relocation’

Adjusting to a New Location

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

The logistics of moving to a new location can be challenging, but it can be even a greater challenge to adapt socially. There are many global relocation companies, like Unipack, that make the physical transport of cargo and goods a breeze. But once everything is moved and settled to your new location, how do you adapt to the new conditions? The amount of changes a new environment brings can sometimes be overwhelming.

It is important to immerse yourself in whatever new location you have moved to. Successful adaptation to any new place depends upon the ability to communicate with the locals and participate in their culture. Many recent transports can find themselves lost in a new place, especially if that place is a foreign country with a different language. By interacting with the locals and participating in local activities, a recent re-locator can quickly adapt to the new conditions by learning the language and normal social conventions of the area.

There’s many ways that this can be accomplished. Bars and restaurants are excellent avenues for immersion, as they are places with lots of local residents and sometimes other outsiders that may have advice on adapting to a new place. Street fairs and festivals also provide opportunities to interact with locals and get to know how the community operates. If you are with your family, going to functions that involve other people with spouses and children can offer easy opportunities to meet new friends. Don’t be afraid to explore your new home to its fullest, you may be surprised how enriching it can be.

Top Company Concerns for Relocating Employees over the Next Decade

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

According to a new report from Brookfield Global Relocation Services published in RISMedia concludes that the coming decade will be a critical one for companies with international workforces, as they grapple with several key issues, including the changing nature of temporary assignments, so-called “cross-border” commuters and emerging markets.

Titled “Employee Mobility in the New Decade,” the research report was released at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) annual conference in San Diego. During the first quarter of this year, Brookfield Global Relocation Services surveyed senior mobility managers from multinational firms to determine their top concerns over the next five to 10 years.

“Our report is the first of its kind to take a detailed look at what challenges global relocation companies will be facing with their international mobility strategies during the next decade,” said Scott Sullivan, executive vice president of Brookfield Global Relocation Services. “This report validates research from our 2010 Global Relocation Trends Report, which found that emerging markets such as China, India and Russia, pose huge challenges to both expatriates and human resources executives.”

Specifically, mobility leaders point to challenges involving:Linking Talent Management and Employee Mobility:

Topping nearly every company’s list of challenges was linking talent management and employee mobility, in one form or another. The report points out that, as the nature of temporary assignments continues to evolve, it is causing companies and employees alike to take a measured look at the perceived benefits of the assignments. For their part, companies–faced with significant investments of money and time required for successful expatriate activities–are asking why, in fact, they are sending employees on international assignments and are increasingly attempting to quantify the returns on investment.

Facts and Industry Statistics: Part One

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

U.S. domestic transfers: Relocation statistics

Worldwide ERC members represent the large majority of organizations that manage significant relocation programs. 2009 U.S. domestic relocation statistics: 

  • $25 Billion: amount spent annually in U.S. on corporate relocation
  • $15 Billion: amount spent annually in U.S. on corporate relocation by Worldwide ERC® member corporations
  • $16,110,641: average annual amount each company spends to transfer its employees.
  • 287,000: annual number of U.S. domestic transfers from Worldwide ERC® member companies
  • Of the 287,000, approximately 1/3 are new hires (94,710) and 2/3 are current employees (192,290).
  • Of the 287,000, approximately 50% are homeowners and 50% are renters.

Costs of U.S. domestic transfers*:

Current Employee Homeowner          $90,017
New Hire Homeowner                       $66,610
Current Employee Renter                  $20,750
New Hire Renter                              $17,877
Based on 2009 data

U.S. domestic transfers: Cost of shipping household goods:

2009 – $11,900

2007 – $11,680
2006 – $10,342
2005 – $9,514
2004 – $10,387
2003 – $9,745
2002 – $9,658

These costs vary by family size (bigger families typically have more household good to move) and homeowner status (homeowners typically have more household goods vs. renters).

Accent-Modification Training: Part One

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

There are several types of training courses available for foreign nationals relocating internationally to the United States. From cultural awareness training to language training, Global relocation companies can employ several tactics to help foreign nationals better acclimate to life and business in a new country.

Language training may be the most obvious form of support for foreign nationals in the United States. This may be the case for those transferees who speak little or no English, but many Global Relocation companies overlook those transferees who relocate from countries where English is a first or second language.

Some companies may assume that when a transferee relocates to the United States from an English speaking country such as India or Singapore, they have a command of the English language and need little assistance, but what many companies are beginning to realize is that a foreign national who is completely fluent in the English language may still be commonly misunderstood because of their accent.

Benefits of Accent-Modification Training

Companies internationally relocate foreign nationals to the United States at great expense. They are often experts in their field and are brought to this country because of their technical expertise, qualifications and experience.

Much of this value can be lost if they are unable to communicate effectively with their office colleagues, teams or clients.
Not only does this impact a transferee’s effectiveness, but it can also lead to frustration and feelings of isolation.

By making accent modifications programs available to foreign nationals, International Relocation organizations can maximize their expertise and knowledge. It can help ensure a positive return on the company’s investment in the transferee and further the individual’s career development during and after the international relocation assignment.

Getting Everything You Need from a Global Relocation Company

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

The International Relocation Company that you choose will be a vital resource in the transition to your new home and should therefore regard you as importantly as you regard them. They should be determined to build a close relationship with you. An essential part of this close and trusted relationship is the provision of an experienced, friendly, and trusted move coordinator (or equivalent) by the company in question. The move coordinator is your main point of contact for any questions, comments, or concerns regarding your move throughout the relocation process. The Move coordinator should do all they can to provide you with the best possible services in all aspects of the move at both origin, destination and all in-between!

First class service, business class delivery…

A quality International relocation goes far beyond providing the heavy lifting service provided by all international moving companies. If you trust your move to a company like Unipack Global Relocation you can expect to choose from a whole range of services from handyman and maid services to finding a new Tennis Club! Support is a priority and we offer a range of online guides, FAQ’s and tips to help plan your move.

Relocating is Hard but Exciting

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Is the prospect of international relocation something that fills you with excitement and intrigue or do you find yourself becoming bogged down by the anxieties that naturally come with the prospect of moving yourself, your family, and your possessions to a foreign country?

Quality matters…

If you are moving abroad then you need to be able to entrust your international relocation to a caring and responsible international moving company whom you can rely upon for providing you with cutting edge moving and relocation services that are an essential part of the smooth transition from A to B.

No half measures…

When caught up in the stresses which are traditionally associated with international relocation one can be easily taken in by moving companies offering gimmicks or cheap rates when the true key to stress-free international relocation is a quality and personalised service with an effective and uncompromising delivery. A worthy moving company will have perfected the fine balance between experience and adaptability, which will demonstrate itself in the tailor-made services they provide to you. Prioritising your needs as an individual is essential and allows you to exert a comfortable level of control and trusted dependency over your international relocation.

Relocating to Bulgaria

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Below are a number of important considerations for anyone considering moving overseas and to Bulgaria:

1. Income –  Wherever you decide to relocate to, you will need a source of income. It maybe that you have a  pension, or can work from home via the internet, but a steady source of income will be required to cover your general living expenses. When considering moving to Bulgaria, you need to keep in mind that without a good knowledge of the Bulgarian language, you will find it difficult to get any sort of normal job and most expats tend to end up working in trades required by other expats such as building, property management, gardening so these areas of work are already over saturated.

2. Education – If you have children you will need to consider how they will fit in to the local education system or if you are going to attempt home schooling. In Bulgaria, children go to kindergarten from an early age and then start primary school at around the age of 7. Young children will pick up the language quickly, but for older children it can be very difficult to fit in.

3. Medical Care – The state health system in Bulgaria is under funded and fairly basic, although the actual standard of care is good in most respects. However, if you have a pre-existing medical conditions or require regular medication you need to check you can get the medicine or care required in Bulgaria. It is important to find an English speakingdoctor close to your location. Private health clinics are numerous, cheap and very good.

Is There Anything Bad About Relocating?

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Although a fresh start may sound nice for a large number of individuals, it doesn’t mean that it is right for everyone, like you or your family. Relocating Internationally may be difficult or even impossible for you to do if you have a spouse who is currently employed or if you have a teenager is satisfied with their current school and friends. These are all factors to consider. With that in mind, relocation isn’t a decision that you should make on your own, especially if you have a family. It is a decision that should involve everyone who would be impacted, in one way or another, with relocation.

The cost of relocation is another disadvantage or downside to doing so. With that in mind, it is advised that you speak with your employer about assistance. If you aren’t given a choice or if your employer wants to keep you on their team, you may be able to get financial assistance for relocating. This financial assistance, if it is offered, will likely vary, but you should be able to get assistance with the hiring of a moving company, as well as the cost of gasoline or airline tickets to your new destination. Even if financial assistance for relocating is not offered, it would not hurt for you to at least inquire about it.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration if you are ever given the opportunity to move overseas. As a reminder, the decision to relocate is one that should be made in conjunction with you, your employer, as well as your family.

The Ultimate Plan to Work Abroad: Location

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

If you’re considering relocating overseas to take up a temporary assignment or you’d like to move abroad permanently and find work there are basically three main aspects of expatriation that you need to think about before you make your move and this article examines them for you.

1) Location

Unless you’re being relocated by your employer to a fixed location you will quickly discover that it a big wide world and you therefore have a great deal of choice when considering which country best suits your lifestyle and employment requirements. In an effort to narrow down your search a little consider any country you’re interested in in view of the following considerations: –

i) The location’s distance from your home country and your family and friends – remember that there will be times you want or need to return home and/or to catch up with old faces. How easy and affordable will it be for you to go ‘back home’ should the need arise and how simple will it be for your friends and family to come and visit you?

ii) The weather – some countries are more or less hospitable in weather terms and someone who originally heralds from Tropical North Queensland may find it a struggle to cope with the wet, grey winters in England for instance and someone from Canada may find is a shock coping with the searing summer temperatures in Spain. Thinking about your ideal overseas location from a weather perspective may well cut down your choices!

iii) Your family – particularly if you’re expatriating with children you’ll need to think carefully about the healthcare and education facilities available overseas and also about getting your essential insurances in place before you go. Some countries are more expensive and restrictive than others…bear this in mind.

iv) Language barriers – if you’re considering moving to a country where the mother tongue is other than your own will this restrict your employment prospects? Can you overcome this by learning the language before you go or do you need to reconsider your destination?