I n the age of disruption, no industry is immune. This applies to manufacturing and finance as much as it does to reloca- tion, where artificial intelligence (AI), mobile technologies, data analytics and shared services usage are upending trad- itional relocation practices, delivery models and expectations. “As relocation professionals, we need to be perpetual students of how technology is disrupting the workplace,” says Ellie Sullivan, senior vice president of advisory services with Weichert Workforce Mobility. “The future of workforce mobility will require companies to transform their approach to mobility more frequently in order to create and sustain a more nimble and fluid workforce.” That transformation is being driven by several disruptors, all of which are shifting the way we move people from one location to another. Here is a rundown of some of the most influential disruptors faced by our industry today. SHARED SERVICES The shared services economy is modi- fying the way consumers travel, choose accommodations and enjoy a night out. This disruptive model is alive and well in relocation, where shared housing companies such as Airbnb are providing assignees with greater options, while at the same time introducing new elements of risk. “Shared service options are forcing mobility programs to deter- mine how, if at all, they are incorporated into the program,” observes Taryn Kramer, vice president of global consulting with SIRVA Relocation. “These options provide an alternative to the traditional way in which relocation support services are delivered, and programs may benefit from the inclusion of these alternatives.” In reaction to these new models, and the growing use of shared services among their employees, employers are tweaking their poli- cies to give assignees more flexibility on where they choose to stay and how their relocation funds are spent. Yet while employers are making space for the “sharing economy” in their relocation packages, Sullivan says many remain reluctant to embrace the ‘shared alternative’ due to their concerns over quality control, security and the risks inherent in a relatively unregulated industry. “Despite their business travel options, most of my clients COVER STORY As society evolves, new developments continue to force change on the mobility industry DISRUPTING RELOCATION By Matthew Bradford As society evolves, new developments continue to drive change in the mobility industry 16 PERSPECTIVES Summer 2018