b'CHALLENGESACROSSabout mobility from both an assignee and Canadian lens." LAYING IT OUTSeveral main themes emerged from the By Roma Ihnatowycz THE BOARD CERC Conferences corporate and service partner brainstorming sessions. First and foremost, both sides recognized that a more integrated approach to technology was fundamental for enhancing the trans-feree experience.Were hearing a lot about technology By Matthew Bradford stacks these days and how different pieces of technology can come together in the Brainstorming the future of mobility HR department or back office to drive global mobility. Still, if were not also I ndustry minds united at the 2023practices aren\'t fundamentally helping thethinking of how we can integrate those CERC Conference to explore theassignee, then maybe we aren\'t asking thetechnologies in a way that creates a fric-future of mobility through the eyesright questions." tionless experience for transferees, were of its most important stakeholder:losing sight of the real goal, says Young. the assignee. Its a voice that, asThroughout the Vancouver event,What does that integrated technology explained by the chair of this yearscorporate and service partner membersmodel look like? According to conference Conference Planning Committee, met with peers on their side of the industryattendees, it is an approach that ensures Sheryll Young, can often get sidelined into discuss their thoughts on the challengestransferees don\'t need to enter their data industry discussions. impacting the assignee experience andmultiple times across multiple platforms A big message during this years confer- how they can be overcome. Afterwards,but instead connect with their employerence was that the voice of the assignee andboth sides came together in the same roomor service provider through a single, their families can sometimes get lost in thisto share the results of those talks and gainsecure, and user-friendly point-of-access. delicate balance of global mobility, evenperspectives from the other side of It is also one that enables mobility profes-though they are the final benefactors ofthe table. sionals to work more collaboratively and our services or supports, explains Young,"It was a great learning opportunity,quickly, which bolsters the success ofsenior manager of global mobility servicesthe assignment. at Vialto Partners.even for me, to have an open and honest dialogue with corporate and service part- Improved transferee communications was "So, as we were planning this confer- ners after each side had the opportunityanother recurring theme. Members across ence, we wanted to include opportunitiesto talk honestly and openly in their ownCERC agreed that creating more person-for both corporate and service partnersafe space," notes Young. "This exercisealized, central and timely communication members to brainstorm ways to make surewas a good step in the right direction. Thechannels was key to not only elevating that the assignee\'s voice is at the heart ofmore we do events like this to promotea transferees experience, but ensuring what we do, adds Young. Because atstakeholder transparency, the more we\'llemployers and service partners alike can the end of the day, if our technologies orstart to see distinctions in how we talkrespond to their needs as they arise. "When we talked about that real-time communication channel, the conversation TOP PRIORITIES was around finding the right levers, be it through technology or the way in which FOR IMPROVING THE TRANSFEREE EXPERIENCE we set up stakeholder conversations," recalls Young. "The idea is to ensure that when employers need to be advised of CORPORATE DELEGATES SERVICE PARTNERS what\'s happening with their mobile work- 74%: Integrated technology for81%: Integrated technology for betterforce, that this important informationbetter transferee experience transferee experience exists regardless of where they are and it allows them to make informed decisions." 60%: Improved real-time76%: Improved communications and communication channels expectation setting with my clients The need for real-time communication between assignees and their mobility48%: More flexible global69%: Less focus on cost and more focuspartners is more pronounced than ever,mobility practices on outcome especially in light of geopolitical issues that make it necessary for employers to have a44%: Centralized resource platform55%: Better communication betweenpulse on how their mobile workforces are 37%: Simplified and consistent my supply chain partners faring. "And it goes beyond just having the right numbers when we need it," Young visa/immigration programs /50%: Standardized RFPs that arestresses. "Real-time communication isclearer global mobility policies easier to respond to, and tailored to,about knowing at all times if assignees the mobility process are safe, if they can be evacuated from a dangerous area if it comes to that, and if 18PERSPECTIVES Winter 2023'