UK Immigration Alert! Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) requests for 2011–12: deadline TODAY, Friday 11 March – http://bit.ly/i1cfwE

Looking forward to meeting everyone at the Mondissimo Convention next week. Come and see us on stand BG2 – http://www.relocatemagazine.com/relocation-news-blog-format/3-general-relocation-news/1930-paris-convention-to-be-global-mobility-highlight-of-2011

Mobile Strategies for Businesses: Workforce Mobility and MEAPs

I had an interesting call with a company today that is involved in real workforce mobility. They have a solution called Total Employee Mobility. Here is a brief description from their website.”Now more than ever, companies rely on the mobility of their employees to realize new opportunities and growth. Employee travel, relocation, international assignments, and virtual office work make business happen. However in most organizations, each component of workforce mobility is overseen by a different department, making it very difficult to manage−much less evaluate−the return on investment. This fragmented approach to employee mobility results in lost opportunities to reduce costs, gain efficiencies, and enhance employee satisfaction.”

via Mobile Strategies for Businesses: Workforce Mobility and MEAPs.

Cross Cultural Solutions for International Business | Business Resources Blog

Globalisation, the expansion of intercontinental trade, technological advances and the increase in the number of companies dealing on the international stage have brought about a dramatic change in the frequency, context and means by which people from different cultural backgrounds interact.Within companies there are many facets in which cultural differences manifest. Some key areas which cross cultural consultants deal with include, but are not exclusive to, the following:Cross Cultural HR: HR covers a wide range of business critical areas that need cross cultural analysis. Consultants may offer advice on a number of areas including recruitment, relocation, international assignments, staff retention and training programmes.

via Cross Cultural Solutions for International Business | Business Resources Blog.

Economy Takes Global Employee Relocations On a Bumpy Ride

Report by Brookfield Global Relocation Services Finds Some Industries, Including Oil and Gas and Telecommunications, Have Increased International Assignments While Others Are Sharply Cutting Back WOODRIDGE, Ill.–(Business Wire)– The ongoing economic downturn has forced many companies to dramatically scale back the number of employees they are relocating for international assignments, but has left other industries virtually unscathed, a new report exploring international mobility trends from Brookfield Global Relocation Services

via From Severe Reductions to Increased Activity, Economy Takes Global Employee Relocations On a Bumpy Ride | Reuters.

Can international assignments delay becoming a CEO

Can relocation hinder career development? A new study says that taking too many international assignments can delay the process toward becoming a CEO. Other hindrances are taking relocations too late in a career or switching companies.

By Jared Shelly

Taking an international assignment is key to employees successfully progressing through the ranks of an organization. They expand their horizons, learn a great deal about the inner workings of the company and develop that all important “global outlook.”

Right?

Maybe not. A new study suggests that taking too many international assignments can actually delay the path toward becoming a CEO.

via Human Resource Executive Online – Story.

Do I Really Need International Experience to be a Player in HR?

If you are like most type A career climbers, you probably grabbed your passport, your traveling lawn gnome, and were headed out the door faster than you could say CHRO.  Fortunately for you, the Academy of Management has just saved you a bundle in moving boxes and packing tape by dispelling one of the greatest myths in corporate America; namely that international assignments are a one-way ticket to the C-suite.

Do I Really Need International Experience to be a Player in HR?

get the international experience, but make it experience supporting international operations

Extract from http://www.managingthecurve.com/international-assignments-what-they-will-and-wont-do-for-your-hr-career/

For more information, advice and news on international assignments, visit Re:locate Magazine

Expats Work Life Balance

Expatriate life can be stressful, and finding the work life balance for the expatriate and the trailing spouse is an essential part of an international assignment.

I found this interesting article in Human Resource Executive Online – Story.

Overseas life can be stressful, but few employers are helping expats achieve work/life balance.

By Julie Cook Ramirez

Traditional concerns about the expatriate community have, for the most part, revolved around housing, compensation and the plight of the increasingly professional, male-trailing spouse who must try to continue her career abroad.

Many U.S. expats made their moves before — or just as — work/life balance became a growing concern back home, spurred on by the growing number of men and women trying to juggle the demands of corporate and family life while both held down high-level, high-stress jobs.

International Moving Checklist

I came across an excellent article from Kathy Dorf from Clements International that outlines a checklist for people praparing to move overseas.

Planning – International Moving Checklist

It covers just about everything including:

• Investigating Your New Country’s Rules
• Filing Applications for Passports, Visas and Permits
• International Moving and Shipping Companies
• Insurance, including Auto, property and health Insurance
• Bank and Credit Card Accounts
• Prescription Drugs
• International Driving Permits
• Tax Obligations
• Pets
• Flight and Hotel Reservations
• VOIP Phone Service
• Cancelling Subscriptions and Forwarding Mail and
• General tips on doing your research

The article makes a great read and can be seen at Expat Exchange

World’s Best Cities | Nurnberg Travel – Culture and Recreation

Found an interesting liuttle piece on the World’s best cities according to the Mercer Quality of Living Survey…..

European cities dominate the top of the ranking

Vienna scores highest for overall quality of living, Baghdad the lowest

Singapore ranks top for city infrastructure; London ranks eighth

Vienna has passed Zurich to take the top spot as the world’s city with the best quality of living, according to the Mercer 2009 Quality of Living Survey. Geneva retains its position in third place, while Vancouver and Auckland are now joint fourth in the rankings.

via World’s Best Cities | Nurnberg Travel – Culture and Recreation.