CASE STUDY: How Realm helped a growing business implement & scale their Global Mobility Programme
January 22, 2025
Case Study: Empowering Global Growth – Building an International Assignment Programme for a UK Technology Company
Client Overview:
We were asked by a rapidly growing technology start up to assist as they commenced the job of expanding their international operations and build a Global Mobility programme to help them attract top talent in a competitive employment marketplace. With their first set of international assignments on the horizon, The company lacked a structured global mobility programme, assignment policies, and the expertise needed to manage complex relocations.
Challenges:
- Lack of Structured Policies: The Client needed a robust global mobility framework that aligned with its corporate objectives and values.
- Compliance and Risk: Navigating tax, immigration, and legal regulations in multiple jurisdictions posed significant challenges.
- Employee Experience: Ensuring a seamless relocation process for assignees to maintain morale and productivity. Identify and onboard relocation vendors across EMEA and the US.
- Scalability: Creating a programme that could grow alongside the client's ambitious international expansion plans.
The Solution:
The client's Head of People partnered with
Realm
to harness our consultancy services specializing in global mobility, relocation, business expansion and shared services to design and execute their requirements and assist them to build their programme from scratch & implement and manage the new solution from inception to business as usual.
Phase 1: Thought Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Discovery Workshops: Conducted interactive sessions with the client's leadership and HR teams to understand business goals, workforce needs, and organisational culture.
- Market Analysis: Provided insights on global mobility trends, including remote work strategies, compliance complexities, and cost-saving best practices.
- Programme Vision: Collaborated with leadership to define the purpose and goals of the international assignment programme, aligning it with the client’s growth strategy.
Phase 2: Policy Design and Development
- Policy Framework: Designed a comprehensive global mobility policy covering short-term and long-term assignments, permanent transfers, and remote work arrangements.
- Flexibility and Fairness: Introduced tiered benefits tailored to assignment types and locations while ensuring equity and consistency.
- Vendors & Supplier Coverage: Identify and onboard relocation and global mobility service delivery partners and utilise Realm's extensive supply chain network to expand the client's reach in home and host locations.
- Compliance Guidance: Integrated policies to address tax equalisation, immigration compliance, and social security considerations.
Phase 3: Implementation and Ongoing Management
- Relocation Services: Partnered with relocation specialists to manage Destination Services, schooling, Household Goods Management and cultural training for assignees and their families.
- Technology Integration: Implemented a global mobility software solution to track assignments, manage compliance, and streamline workflows.
- Training and Support: Delivered training sessions to HR and talent acquisition managers on mobility processes and cultural adaptation.
Phase 4: Continuous Consultancy and Best Practices
- Global Mobility Insights: Provided regular updates on market trends and regulatory changes.
- Employee Feedback Loop: Established feedback mechanisms to enhance the employee experience and fine-tune policies.
- Scalable Solutions: Worked closely with TechSphere to adapt the programme as the company entered new markets.
Results
Through building a successful partnership with the new Client and offering them flexible, tailored solutions that met their needs, Realm was able to achieve the following objectives and build a lasting partnership based on these successful outcomes.
- Structured Mobility Programme: A well-defined policy framework that supported 30+ successful international assignments in the first year.
- Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Zero compliance breaches, thanks to proactive management of immigration and tax obligations.
- Employee Satisfaction: 95% of assignees reported a positive relocation experience, citing clear communication and robust support.
- Scalability: A flexible programme ready to accommodate TechSphere’s continued global expansion.
REALM provides Global Mobility, Relocation & Consulting Services for growing businesses looking to expand their operations internationally. If you're a HR Manager, Head of People or Talent Acquisition Manager and are looking for assistance to design, build or manage your global talent deployment, why not drop us a line and find out how we can help you. You can follow us on Social Media @RealmRelo or via our website at www.realmrelo.com
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Achieve Cost Savings and Compliance in Global Mobility with Expert Audits of Household Goods Processes In the dynamic world of global mobility, achieving cost savings and maintaining compliance are paramount for any successful relocation programme. As organizations expand and relocate talent across borders, the complexity of managing these processes increases. Partnering with a consultancy business can streamline these efforts, particularly through a robust audit process. This blog delves into how a consultancy business can help a Global Mobility team achieve cost savings and compliance, with a special focus on auditing household goods processes. The Importance of Auditing in Global Mobility An audit in global mobility is a comprehensive review of the processes, policies, and practices involved in relocating employees. It identifies inefficiencies, uncovers potential compliance issues, and highlights areas for cost reduction. Auditing household goods processes is crucial, as these often represent a significant portion of relocation expenses. How Auditing Household Goods Processes Drives Cost Savings Identifying Inefficiencies: Vendor Performance: Audits can evaluate the performance of household goods vendors, ensuring they provide the best value. Inefficient or overpriced vendors can be replaced, leading to substantial cost savings. Process Streamlining:** By examining the entire relocation process, audits can pinpoint unnecessary steps and streamline operations, reducing time and costs. Volume Management: Accurate Volume Estimation: Misestimating the volume of household goods can lead to unexpected costs. An audit ensures accurate volume assessments, preventing overcharges. Cost-Efficient Packing and Shipping:** Audits can suggest more cost-effective packing methods and shipping routes, optimizing the entire process. Negotiation Leverage: Vendor Contracts: Armed with audit data, companies can negotiate better terms and prices with vendors. Knowing industry benchmarks and current spend patterns strengthens bargaining positions. Bulk Discounts:** Identifying opportunities for bulk shipping can lead to discounts, reducing overall expenses. Ensuring Compliance Through Audits Regulatory Adherence: Local Laws and Regulations: Different countries have varying regulations regarding the import and export of household goods. Audits ensure compliance with these laws, avoiding fines and legal complications. Customs Documentation: Proper documentation is critical for customs clearance. Audits verify that all necessary paperwork is complete and accurate, preventing delays and penalties. Policy Compliance: Internal Policies: Audits ensure that relocation processes align with the company’s internal policies, maintaining consistency and fairness. Expense Policies: Reviewing expense reports for household goods moves can prevent fraud and misuse of funds, ensuring compliance with financial policies. Risk Management: Insurance Coverage: Audits check that appropriate insurance coverage is in place for household goods during transit, mitigating the risk of loss or damage. Vendor Reliability: Ensuring that vendors meet compliance standards reduces the risk of partnering with unreliable or non-compliant service providers. How can working with a Consultancy business help with your audit process? Consultancy businesses bring specialized expertise to the table, making them invaluable partners for global mobility teams. Here’s how working with a consultancy partner can help you achieve efficiencies in your relocation processes: Expertise and Experience: Industry Knowledge: Consultancy firms have extensive knowledge of best practices and industry standards, enabling them to conduct thorough and insightful audits. Global Reach: With experience across various regions, they understand local regulations and can ensure compliance in multiple jurisdictions. Objective Analysis: Unbiased Assessment: Consultants provide an objective review of household goods processes, free from internal biases. Comprehensive Reports: They deliver detailed reports with actionable insights, helping companies implement effective changes. Continuous Improvement: Ongoing Support: Beyond initial audits, consultancy businesses offer ongoing support to continuously refine and improve household goods processes. Training and Development: The consulting business can also provide training to internal teams, equipping them with the skills needed to maintain cost-efficient and compliant processes. Conclusion In the realm of global mobility, a well-executed audit process is a powerful tool for achieving cost savings and ensuring compliance. By focusing on household goods processes, companies can uncover significant opportunities for optimization. Partnering with a consultancy business enhances this effort, providing expert guidance, objective analysis, and ongoing support. For global mobility teams, the path to efficient and compliant relocation programmes begins with a robust audit process. By leveraging the expertise of a consultancy business, companies can navigate the complexities of global mobility with confidence, ensuring that every relocation is as cost-effective and compliant as possible. Realm is a global consulting services business specialising in Global Mobility, based in London. If you’re looking to make changes to your Global Mobility programme or feel like you would benefit from some additional support and guidance, why not reach out to us for a chat ?
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