Global Mobility is changing the world of work. It is a term used to describe the ability of a company and its workforce to move and operate and the world for business purposes with efficiency. Nowadays, many companies see the benefits of expanding their business internationally. International expansion offers them opportunities to reach the new market by sending their talents abroad to take advantage of the international market. That’s why understanding what is global mobility and strategies to build Global Mobility programs is important. If you’d like to learn more about global mobility, check out the article here.
What Is Global Mobility?
Global Mobility is a function or a program of an organization that allows their workforce to transfer from one country to another country seamlessly with efficiency.
Global mobility brings benefits to both businesses and employees. Embracing global mobility allows businesses to expand their market, reach more audiences, grow their business, and work with a pool of international talents. Meanwhile, it gives employees an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge, experience a global working environment and develop themselves.
3 Reasons Why Global Mobility Is Important
Empowers flexibility
Virtual work is now becoming a trend that will shape the world of future work.
A recent study conducted by Accenture, says that employees report feeling more effective in their remote work environment than working in the office.
According to a FlexJobs survey, they’ve found that 65% of respondents want to become full-time remote employees after the pandemic. These statistics create a chance to work with top-notch talents worldwide for companies with a global mobility program. Because employees will feel more pleased to work with these companies that consider their desires. That’s why businesses should integrate global mobility into their organization to adapt to hybrid and remote work.
Allows organizations to develop their existing talent
For employees, besides the factors of salary, bonus, or appropriate remuneration policy, being empowered to learn and upskill at the enterprise is also one of the factors that will make them more likely to stay with the company.
Implementing Global Mobility is of the best ways to do that. However, your company also can take advantage of it. Global mobility program not only creates more opportunities but also challenges for employees. Whenever they conquer and overcome challenges, they’ll gain more knowledge and become better employees with needed skills ready to adapt to your company’s requirements. This is a win-win situation.
Offers access to a global workforce
In previous years, companies had to open more offices in other cities if they wanted to expand the workforce globally. From now on, they can access a worldwide workforce and let employees work remotely as long as they have a global mobility program.
4 Benefits of Global Mobility in Business
Allows you to tap into new markets
One of the clear benefits of a global mobility program is its convenience for businesses to enter new markets by working with local talent. Besides, implementing a global mobility program often leads to higher productivity and reduced financial losses, if any.
Promotes new ideas and perspectives
Businesses can sometimes get stuck in their old ideas or strategies. People with a new perspective can give you completely new ideas for innovating your strategy. As global mobility enables your team to work from everywhere. Therefore, you can also add value to your operations by taking advantage of their experience, knowledge, new ideas, and perspectives.
Besides, employees who transfer to new countries might also gain better insights into international markets, which is valuable to your business in the journey of conquering the global market.
Gives you access to the best talent
Embracing global mobility lets you access a pool of talents from all over the world and help you improve the workforce quality. Implementing a global mobility program can help businesses leverage the knowledge and skills of the global workforce to complete their supply chain. From then, they might offer more services at a better price than the competition, especially hiring employees from Asia countries such as Vietnam, India, China, etc. As a result, it also helps businesses create a competitive advantage over their competitors.
Encourages professional development
Woking overseas opens up an abundance of new learning opportunities for employees, helping them gain more knowledge and precise skills to improve their jobs. It also empowers them to explore new career opportunities that can positively impact their personal development. Global mobility programs can also encourage them to establish long-term relationships with a business.
5 Steps to Build a Global Mobility Program
Step 1: Identify why you are building a global mobility program.
When you want to do something, start with “Why?” first. Why do you want to build a global mobility program? What advantages will it bring to your organizations and your employees? You need to identify your goals and purposes before doing into it. Setting clear and precise goals and purposes is crucial. Because it gives you focus and direction to take control of your decision.
Step 2: Structure the program
When it comes to how to structure the program, consider the crucial aspects below:
- Global mobility policy
- Regions or target markets for expansion
- Talent pool to achieve expansion goals
- Healthcare, compensation, and employee benefits
- Tax compliance
- Immigration support (visa, relocation, etc.)
- Relocation logistics
- Professional development opportunities
- Financial assistance for relocation
- Family support like schools, housing, etc.
- Assistance with communication needs, relocation incentives
- Pricing and budget
- Future work model of the organization
After that, consider collecting feedback from your leadership team or your co-workers and then adjust accordingly.
Step 3: Assemble the global mobility team
It’s time to find the “Who”. Consider the key roles and identify your employees who have expertise in their respective jobs. In addition to communicating the roles and responsibilities, don’t forget to assess their needs and how you can support them best.
It’s important to open communication with each other, collect feedback and adjust flexibility.
Step 4: Incorporate employee well-being into the program design
One of the essential steps of building a global mobility program is to incorporate employee well-being.
Businesses also need to incorporate appropriate policies and employee benefits in program design. Besides, they must ensure a smooth relocation experience for their employees (and their families if they come with employees)
Step 5: Consider support structures
Culture shock, language barriers, and the distance from home are some of the most common stress of living abroad. That’s why if employees support the company by moving to another country, the company must take care of employees (and their families as well, if possible)
Consider the support system you can set up for your employees. For example, financial assistance, housing, coaching for mental fitness, schools or work for dependents, etc.
FAQs
What is a global mobility example?
Global mobility is a program of a company. It allows the company’s workforce to move and operate all around the world. Employees will have a chance to live abroad and gain comprehensive development.
What does a global mobility specialist do?
A global mobility specialist may be part of a company’s human resources department or work for a third party that provides relocation management services or global mobility solution services. They will be responsible for managing international employees, supporting employees under the company’s global mobility program, and more.
What is a global mobility coordinator?
A global mobility coordinator is responsible for the success and efficiency of relocating employees and their families from an existing place to another country.
Conclusion
It can be said that understanding what is global mobility and a global mobility program is crucial for businesses. If you are looking for a global mobility management company, feel free to contact ERA. We are happy to help.
Ms. Tracy has worked in human resource consulting for over 15 years. A driven entrepreneur focused on business expansion and people development. She previously worked as Country Manager for an international Australia firm that specializes in global workforce management, as well as several key roles as Business Growth Director and Executive Search Director for both large local firms to effectively drive their business growth. A strong emphasis is placed on aligning organizational priorities/objectives with business needs. She has a large network of local business leaders and a thorough understanding of the local market.
