Streamlining approaches with technology: key considerations
A
Mercer report by Frederic Franchi, senior principal, and Michael Nash, principal, examines how companies looking to enhance
international assignments with global mobility technology could start to think about the issue. It outlines seven steps to digitalising mobility
programmes with multiple stakeholders, policy suites and mobile population types, focusing on “simplification, standardisation and structure”. These include adopting technology that can flex with how the mobile workforce is changing; “connecting the dots” with technology, policies, processes and external vendors to simplify information flows; and using technology to empower employers and personalise their experience. Mastering compliance and risk are also key
considerations. Work From Anywhere’s Relocate Think Global People Award-winning ‘Excellence in Technology’ platform means employers, mobility and business travel teams can offer work from anywhere policies and service these compliantly and efficiently. John Lee, Work From Anywhere’s CEO,
supported by technology. Any alignment of business travel and global mobility needs to take head-on the challenge of technology, human-centred support and the important role of people overseeing third-party suppliers and technology. Serviced apartment operators, as part of the
wider hospitality sector, are already well aware of the importance of customer service and experience – a critical aspect of working with global people. As Katie Garrahy, senior client programme manager, at SilverDoor comments in the GSAIR. “Success is a blend of people and technology. When you are going away for three, four weeks or even longer, the business traveller needs that human interaction because they need reassuring, it’s part of the human condition to want to speak to someone. One of our clients is coming over from South Africa for an extended period, yes, they can find lots of information on our portal, but the portal can’t tell our clients which schools are the best locally.” Clearly, this is where global mobility skills and
expertise could add value. Working across boundaries and staying agile and alert to possibilities drive business success. For Joanna Cross, chief operating officer of Ariosi, a serviced apartment consultancy and publisher of GSAIR, there are huge opportunities for operators and agents to take up the mantle, listen to what people need and be adaptable in a meaningful way. “We’ve tried so hard as a sector to find a one-size-fits-
all in terms of classification. Maybe with accreditation too. Why are we still trying to define something I don’t actually believe we can? I think we all need to be more comfortable with the idea that there will always be a majority concept, but that we are also actually listening to people in terms of other needs, now, next year or in five years’ time. We’ve got to be adaptable to that.”
explained why the company’s technology is so relevant today. “One of the big things we are seeing is a transition. If you look at business travel, if you look at traditional expatriate assignments, we are seeing global mobility functions having a huge increase in volumes of requests, but it’s for different types of mobility. It’s more short-term, workation, work from anywhere-type mobility requests.” Along with this rise in requests for international
remote working, whether temporary or permanent, is greater scrutiny from tax and immigration departments globally. Governments are increasingly alert to the trend’s opportunities and threats. “Authorities are cracking down on international
remote workers,” explained John Lee. “For example, in New York, the state authorities are actually using AI to track down international remote workers. This tool helps people to assess in a matter of seconds the compliance of all their work from anywhere requests and understand should they approve it or reject it.” Powerful technology platforms like these
are helping employers manage their talent compliantly and effectively. As part of the evolving mobility tech stack, they are also freeing up expertise to focus on the more people- focused aspects of their roles. “Our tool elevates the functional ability of
global mobility to be a bit more strategic” said John Lee. “For example, if you look at Spotify, they reduced their attrition rate by 15% when they offered this particular employee benefit. Our tool allows them to offer this dynamic employee benefit while of course keeping an eye on the tax and legal risks and also reducing the costs of going to external providers.”
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GLOBAL MOBILITY
BUSINE SS TRAVEL
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