Welcome to Mobility Minute, a newsletter published every Friday byWorldwide ERC®for the benefit of members and the global mobility and relocation industry. Here’s a quick glimpse of what you’ll find in this week’s issue:
Building a More Sustainable, More Inclusive, and More Responsible Mobility Industry
Migration Patterns Survey Examines Where People Move
Managing Risk in an Uncertain World
New Director of Board and Business Operations Joins Worldwide ERC Team
Note: If you receive Mobility Minute weekly, please forward this issue to colleagues in the workforce mobility industry. If this was shared with you, click hereto subscribe and gain access to the archives.
Building a More Sustainable, More Inclusive, and More Responsible Mobility Industry
At Worldwide ERC®, we are firm believers in the idea that all of us have a responsibility to exercise good global citizenship. From promoting more environmentally conscious business practices to expanding opportunities for underserved communities and elevating the diverse voices of relocation professionals around the world, we are incredibly proud of the work that our members are doing to create a more sustainable and equitable mobility industry.
In a recent article, Worldwide ERC® President and CEO Lynn Shotwell writes about how these efforts have allowed us to forge new partnerships, access new talent, and create a more inclusive environment for all.
Migration Patterns Survey Examines Where People Move
Since 1993, Atlas Van Lines has been releasing an annual report that compiles internal data to track domestic and international relocation trends. The organization’s most recent Annual Migration Patterns Study has revealed that people moved en masse to regions with increasing populations due to the unique economic and social changes of recent years.
Why is this important?
In addition to exploring where people move, the moving company also looks at why people move. Employees are making career alterations while navigating an ever-evolving economic environment, one where inflation and housing values significantly sway their decisions. Rising relocation costs may force organizations to be more selective in the relocation process and to focus on necessary or high-impact moves. They may also choose to reduce the number of relocations or to provide employees with only limited assistance with each relocation. As a result, businesses must be more strategic in how they approach relocating employees.
Adapting to change is a necessary skill for any business to succeed. However, today the challenges and changes are more complex. With potential complications at every turn, what can companies and organizations in the global mobility space do to best mitigate risk?
Why is this important?
When potential risks are not taken into consideration by organizations, the outcomes can be devastating. With many companies switching to flexible work, employing a more global workforce, and dealing with higher electricity, gas, or other utility bills, there are a lot of potential risks that need to be identified and evaluated. Understanding which risks your company could be susceptible to is the step in preventing unmitigated damage.
New Director of Board and Business Operations Joins Worldwide ERC® Team
Fatine Mamouni has joined the Worldwide ERC® team as the new director of board and business operations. In this role, she will work closely with the Worldwide ERC Board of Directors and the Foundation for Workforce Mobility’s Board of Trustees, support the operations of the foundation, and oversee Worldwide ERC’s finance and business operations functions. Fatine has extensive experience working with associations, having most recently served as business operations and technology manager at the MCI Group. In addition, she has previously worked at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
The Roundup
Webinar: How Mobility Can Help Attract and Retain Talent — In this session, held 21 February, Andrew Meadowcroft of Aires and a corporate panel will discuss the role of mobility in talent acquisition and how to engage the right internal stakeholders to ensure a successful program. Learn more and register.
Webinar: Car Services – How to Manage Assignees’ Global Transportation Needs — This session, held 28 February, will explain how to create and manage a global transportation plan. Jesper Lovendahl of ExpatRide International will discuss the challenges international assignees faces in new locations and how to overcome these, as well as how you can manage and centralize all your global transportation expenses. Learn more and register.
Worldwide ERC Town Hall: Strategic Plan and Beyond — Hear from Lynn Shotwell, Worldwide ERC president and CEO, and Anupam Singhal, Worldwide ERC chairman, on 2 March about the 2023 strategic planning that will guide the organization throughout the coming years. Learn more and register.
International Women’s Day Celebration— Join the Corporate Housing Providers Association and Worldwide ERC on International Women’s Day, 8 March, for a virtual event supporting women leaders. With a dynamic keynote and two interactive, breakout sessions, learn while connecting with other industry professionals in this three-hour online event. Learn more and register.
Global Economic Snapshot
The State Department will launch a pilot program later this year offering visa renewal options in the U.S. for H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. — Bloomberg Law
The managing director of the IMF warned that we need to “think of the unthinkable,” as we live in “a more shock-prone world” impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the recent earthquake across Syria and Turkey. — CNBC
Business travel represents hoteliers' biggest challenge, according to a new Outlook & Trends 2023 Survey from revenue management software company Duetto. When hoteliers were asked how they planned to optimize their business mix in 2023, the top responses were group business (59.5%) followed by corporate business (51.9%). — Skift
After three years of rapid price increases during the pandemic, the housing market is experiencing what economists are calling “a correction.” Monthly sales have fallen. Construction activity has slowed, and home builders are offering steep discounts and other concessions to attract buyers. As mortgage rates edge down slightly from the 20-year high of late last year, homebuilders and real estate agents both report a thaw in sales and buyer interest. — The New York Times
Consider planning a trip to the top 10 most welcoming cities in 2023. Booking.com came up with the list based on its Traveler Review Awards for 2023. The awards themselves are determined by average review scores, which offer "an authentic account of what the real travel experience.”
Need inspiration for future trips?
Ten cities made Booking.com’s list of 2023’s Most Welcoming Cities On Earth. Included on the list are Mexico City, Mexico, and Dresden, Germany, and at the top of the list is Polignano a Mare, Italy. According to the website, La Rioja, Spain, is the most welcoming region on Earth.
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