b'INTERNATIONAL MOVESSMOOTHING TROUBLED WATERSManaging the intricacies and challenges By Sarah B. Hoodtied to international household goods movingN ew communications technologies may be shrinking as well as certain parts of the Middle East and South the virtual distances between us but moving house- America. This is impacting employers wish to relocate, hold goods is still as onerous today as it was 50 yearsand staff willingness to be relocated, especially if they have ago, possibly more so. Thats what prompted Robdependent children, says Stone.Stone of Weichert Workforce Mobility, Roy Phelps of Quality Move Management, and James Spearing of PwC CanadaThe catastrophic incidents that have been dominating the to present a white paper titled International Moving: Navigatingheadlines in recent years are difficult to predict or control, Troubled Waters at the 2019 CERC Conference. and many mobility professionals are struggling with how to approach and manage the safety and well-being of their Managing a responsible global mobility program involves strikingrelocating employees when preparing for an international a balance between several competing forces within the currentassignment, points out the white paper. global climate. Among these are shifting regulations, unstable geopolitical conditions, an upsurge in DIY mobility programs,PROPER PLANNINGand the marked increase in unpredictable, sometimes volatile,Yet while the vagaries of international politics may be out weather conditions. of the industrys control, there are many aspects of an We are seeing, certainly over the last year in particular, ainternational move that can be planned, predicted and situation globally with increased protectionist measures, saysimplemented with precision, beginning with drawing up a list Rob Stone, citing the U.S.-China trade talks and the ongoingof all the stakeholders involved.concerns relating to the EU and U.K. in terms of Brexit. This isFrom first to last, the employee/homeowner will deal with having an impact, and not only on international companies thata dizzying number of professionals, from origin agents to rely on global trade. The movement of people is still in doubt; itsthird-party suppliers, trucking companies, freight forwarders, a risk factor from a political perspective. steamship lines, air cargo movers, terminal agents, customs Stone mentions that U.K.-based clients are very concerned aboutagents and delivery agents. In fact, Stone believes that the impact Brexit will have on their business operations andchoosing the best team is the first rule of any successful mobility. Contingency plans have been made in a number ofinternational move. cases: what that is going to mean for their people and where theyIts important that when relocating internationally [providers are going to move them, he notes. In many cases [it may mean]and transferees] work with reputable forwarders and agents moving them away from the U.K. into an EU location.to make sure that things move smoothly, advises Stone. And In addition to this, there is the continuation of broad terrorismfrom a pure governance perspective, we strongly recommend globally and political unrest in Asiain Hong Kong for instancethat they work only with the most qualified partners. Winter 2019PERSPECTIVES25'