b'2019 CERC CONFERENCE How do you prepare for an uncertain mobility future? Experts at CERCs annual conference offer up a number of solutionsCheryl Cran, Keynote Speaker, 2019 CERC ConferenceFUTURE-PROOFING MOBILITYBy Roma IhnatowyczD isruption. Whirlwind change.she touted as solution numbervirtually place furniture in your home The steady rise of technology.one. Companies need to steer clearbefore you move. These and other trends thatof segmented technology, however, are rapidly reshaping theand instead embrace cross-platformATTRACTING TALENTrelocation landscape were allconnection. Processing informationWhen it comes to attracting and key discussion points at CERCs annualin one place for the benefit of theretaining talent, Cran warned that it has conference, held in Niagara Falls thisend-user is a huge trend of the future,become standard practice for companies past September.highlighted Cran.to poach employees, so businesses For many relocation professionals, it canEqually important is leveraging video toneed to take a more imaginative, feel as though changes are being hurled atspeak directly to the general public, likeflexible and bespoke approach to them non-stop, so the conference themeUber did with a video allowing expatshanging on to them. Cross-pollinationFuture-proofing mobilitywas a timelywho had moved to a global destinationand mobility both play a role here, one. When you look at the future andto share their stories. [With video] youllallowing employees to work in different see what it means for [everyone] in thisreally be able to tell future and potentialcapacities, departments, and even cities room, then you understand you work inworkers what you provide as it relates toor countries. If you can offer [mobility] an industry that is dealing with this head- mobility, Cran stressed, noting that 57within your organization, then you can on, said keynote presenter Cheryl Cran,per cent of millennials view mobility askeep [your workers] longer, Cran said. a global expert on mapping the future. important when looking for new workMobility has to be integrated within opportunitiesand most are glued tothe fabric of how the organization is According to Cran, preparing for antheir mobile devices.run, because workers hold the key uncertain future requires agility, whichright now.means understanding when to push,By 2025, continued Cran, 67 per cent ofDavid Knox, brand builder and author, and when not to. Were living inthe planet will have access to high-speedtouched on this in his presentation to an era where knowing the differenceinternet, almost double the numberCERCs service partners during their between when to push and when tothat has it now: Imagine how that willdedicated workshop. He highlighted give is a key discerning factor to ourchange how we attract people and providethe trend of digital nomads who success, explained Cran. Its aboutsolutions to workers; its going to changecan work anywhere and for multiple demonstrating flexibility.everything. But deploying technologyemployersa new type of type of like virtual reality will need to go deeperglobal, mobile employee that is on Cran zeroed in on some key stepsthan the simple online real estate searchesthe rise. relocation professionals can take, likecommonly on offer today. Were talking integrating technology and introducingabout showing how you can walk to theSimilarly, in their bid to attract more information sharing, whichlocal playground or store, or how you cantalent, companies are starting to set 18PERSPECTIVES Winter 2019'