A Sustainable Mobility - My Notes and Quotes from WorldwideERC GWS 2022
“Sustainability” was the word that I heard the most as I moved through the halls of the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas during the 2022 WorldwideERC Global Workforce Symposium. It’s the word that made me pause and think.. how am I doing in this area? It’s the word that will be sustainable when seeing future relocation RFP’s or having discussions about a better mobility program. In fact, the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas now has a Chief Sustainability Officer - Erik Hansen. Erik shared how “Wynn” is a great example as they have invested in 150 acres now filled with solar panels just outside of Las Vegas. The entire rooftop on Wynn and Encore is now 100 percent solar, and they filter water from local lake Mead. Sustainability has been engrained in everything about their business as they strive to be a leader in renewable energy and resources. How are you doing in this area? As I review my notes on how to help make mobility better, I thought I would share with you to start a discussion. What stands out to you?
Here are some of my “notes and quotes” on mobility! I just wish I could have attended every session! There is so much to learn… I hope you can use this information to help continue to elevate the customer experience and build a program of sustainability …
“We need to talk to the person responsible by looking in the mirror.” ~Eric Boles
“The new definition of mediocrity is meeting expectations” -Eric Boles
Relocation Management Discussion
Develop pipeline
Duty of care
Focus on DEI
Create an experience that works for them.
How do we plan for an uncertain economy
Stay committed to Talent
Cautious w discretionary expenses
Continue development
Moving and Shipping update
High interest rates will impact moving
Moving costs continue to increase
International container imbalance
Keys to success
Communication
Transparency
Flexibility
Innovate - customers want it now
Sustainable Mobility Discussion
Virtual surveys - saved 18000 gallons fuel
Recycling materials
“No matter what company you are with, we are all in this together.” Bob Gulluchi
The Transferee Experience
Things we enjoy:
Packing
Put away service
Look and see trip
Moving is stressful
Upsides of stress
Lifting weights
Learning
· Stress means it matters
When should we stop making exceptions discussion?
If we learned anything from COVID, it was a focus on doing the right thing.
Things to consider before we decide
· Set expectations
· Quantify cost
· Repercussions offering different benefits
· The word no creates stress
Lead with empathy
Ask why and say why
Be an expert
They don’t know what they don’t know
Flexibility vs Customization
Efficiency vs Personalization
Risk vs Reward
Create a culture of agility and communication
How can we provide consistent standardized equitable benefits at acceptable quality costs and competitiveness while simultaneously treating each employee as a unique individual.
Building a better relocation ecosystem
Focus on empathy and well being
Mobility is part of hiring process
Fueled by expansion
Employee experience important
Use money in most appropriate way
Overlay talent management profile with policy
What’s changed in last 25 years by Bill Wilson?
· Mid 90’s “Global Mobility” biggest transformation
· Sarbanes-Oxley -RMC provide tax support
· Technology - Lump Sum young generation
· Business travelers
· Career of changes and challenges
· New pandemic
· Virtual videos movers / realtors here to stay
Problems
· Biggest complaint - how long it takes to move.
· Talent shortage
· Driver shortage
No new construction during pandemic
Housing shortage
Solutions
Communicate
Set the expectations
Extended temp housing
Listen to suppliers - they are on ground
Listen to the customer
Sustainability
Social Responsibility
Whirlpool give back $6M to community
Employee Experience
· Inflation
· Move quickly
· Culture training / language
· Leverage benefits
“When do we stop making exceptions?
· If we learned anything from COVID, it was a focus on doing the right thing.
· Every situation is different.
· Extended storage
· Home leave optional.
· Changed 50-mile rule for tax, not policy.
Interesting insight when giving choice - lump sum vs full move
Result challenge… lump sums haven’t moved.
Before saying no - ask yourself if their hiring manager or CEO would approve - then save time and stress.
Be forward thinking.
Most everyone has similar policies, but how it’s administrative is different.
What makes Relocation Managers Tick?
· Connections – making a difference.
· Enjoy partnerships.
· Project Management.
What’s impactful for relo managers?
· WorldwideERC conference
· Regional meetings
· Networking
· White paper insights
· Corporate round tables
Advice…
· Learn about others areas of company.
· Always say yes, you’ll figure it out.
· Have empathy.
· Directed suppliers is better for us. We may have to pay more but it’s an investment into a sustainable future. I want to know every supplier that touches our shipments.
What do you wish suppliers had?
· Box check off. Why can’t we come up with a system to scan them?
· One system for all suppliers
· Data - consistency - communication
· Take problems to a THINK TANK!
· Find solutions…
Some of my favorite conference quotes:
“We need to talk to the person responsible by looking in the mirror.” ~Eric Boles
“The new definition of mediocrity is meeting expectations” -Eric Boles
“No matter what company you’re with, we’re all in this together.” ~Bob Gallucci
“It’s not the person, it’s the situation.” ~Jonathan Harman
“We are all in the business of learning from each other.” -Nina Arnaiz
“Listen to your suppliers, they are in the ground. -Bill Wilson
“If we learned anything from COVID, it was a focus on doing the right thing.” ~Jack Jampel
“Always say yes, you’ll figure it out.” Tanya Mariottini
“Ask the question… what problem are you solving?” Vini Valverde
“How can we provide consistent standardized equitable benefits at acceptable quality costs and competitiveness while simultaneously treating each employee as a unique individual.” -Michelle Velasquez
Mobility Conference Topics
Public policy forums | Relocation Management | Immigration | Mortgage and Lending | Moving and Shipping | Housing | Technology |Sustainable Mobility | Digitalization Reducing layers | Global mobility War on Talent |Mobility DEI |Relationship building through Technology | The Transferee Experience | Broker Market Analysis | Employee Experience Matrix for Success | RDC Nat’l Relo Trends | GBO | Stress and Assignee Experience | Challenges of Talent Landscape | Global Cross functional Partnerships | Pet Travel | Customization | Metaverse and Mobility | Global M&A |Building a better relocation program | LGBTQ+ | Relo exceptions
Did you attend the conference? If so, what stands out to you? If you didn’t, what would you like too more about? Let’s have a discussion and hopefully solve a problem together!
Check out some of my conference highlights here…
Action: Share with someone you know in mobility. I would enjoy hearing too! Talk about what stands out to you and ask for their perspective. It just might ignite something to stop, start or continue in the year ahead to positively impact the customer experience and help you achieve your organizational goals!
This is “Move to Inspire” with Bruce Waller! For more information, call 972-389-5673, or email bwaller@goarmstrong.com or check out my social media Facebook and Twitter page. Also, check out www.BruceWaller.com to review my leadership books “Life in the Leadership Lane”, “Find Your Lane” or pick up a copy of my journal “Milemarkers” to start recording your everyday. All books are available on amazon. Be sure to subscribe to my YOUTUBE channel to watch the video podcasts and other messages to help you lead in the workplace! “Life in the Leadership Lane podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform including APPLE, GOOGLE, and SPOTIFY. Interested in a book club? Join our book club “CLIMB” on Facebook.