Three Important Questions to Ask When Looking for a Corporate Relocation Partner
Not all corporate relocation partners are created equal. Here are three questions we suggest organizations start with to ensure seamless employee transitions and corporate relocations.
One of the most common needs companies have regarding their corporate relocation program is simplicity. Not that they want a basic, no-frills relocation strategy – quite the contrary. But what they do want is something that seamlessly supports their broader hiring and retention goals, and more importantly, doesn’t create more work for them.
That means finding a reliable corporate relocation partner is essential to the relocation’s success. Finding those partners starts with vetting and asking the right questions of potential vendors.
Not all corporate relocation partners are created equal, and if you don’t take the right elements into consideration during your decision-making process, you could be in for a whole other set of headaches. Here are three questions we suggest organizations start with to ensure seamless employee transitions and corporate relocations.
Where do I find a reliable corporate relocation service provider and what should I look for?
Relationships matter. Not to downplay the importance of assets and capabilities, but finding a partner with whom you can have a good relationship cannot be underestimated. Make sure when evaluating potential companies that they have a sense of the big picture regarding your organization, your corporate culture, and your relocation needs. Between changing laws, the swiftness relocating employees need to report to their new job and a number of other factors, even with a defined policy, no two relocations are the same. Sometimes a move calls for an unexpected solution, and if your relocation partner is more focused on its capabilities than your needs, they likely will only accentuate your employee’s problem.
Check with industry associations like WERC and American Trucking Association to see which corporate relocation partners are active and engaged. Ask for referrals from other companies in your industry and do some background research by reviewing case studies and validating experiences with online searches.
How does corporate relocation work?
One of the biggest stressors for HR professionals when it comes to relocation is tracking all the information associated with it. Things like entitlements, spending, exceptions (and reporting it all) can take up a lot of time and create issues when there isn’t consistency among everything. The right relocation partner not only can manage these areas, but also analyze it all to identify recommendations for your relocation policy. When this is done well, it can make your company more appealing for new hires and less stressful for transferees.
Expanding into a new market? Make sure they can support the seamless relocation of key talent. Launching a major project or opening a new service location? Ensure they have the infrastructure and expertise to move employees efficiently while maintaining a positive transferee experience.
Is there a corporate relocation partner with 24/7 customer support?
When you’re looking for a corporate relocation partner, be sure to ask about communication expectations and service hours. If you’re working with an international corporate relocation partner, you may have access to customer support on a 24/7 basis. Or, you may have access to move dashboards that allow you transparency without needing to go through customer support.
Getting relocation “right” is incredibly important. It ultimately helps your employees get off to a good start, which has plenty of long-term benefits when it comes to retention. Whether you’re looking to partner with a relocation provider for the first time or re-evaluate your existing one, taking these qualities into consideration will go a long way in making sure your efforts go smoothly.
