After listening to a live LinkedIn podcast, I was surprised to hear some familiar stats around assignment failure. As noted by learnlight, over 40% of all assignments fail due to a variety of reasons.
These stats are the same stats I’ve heard over the last 15 years.
Despite many available resources, there seems to be a disconnect. Are these resources not available when needed, or are assignees not taking advantage of them? Perhaps the attitude of “I’ve got this,” plays a role.
But how do you find your groove when you move to another country without speaking the language or knowing anyone? It’s daunting. Having a sense of belonging is crucial for well-being.
What can we do as global mobility professionals to support those relocating?
- Offer language training: Providing language training can significantly ease the transition and reduce frustration and isolation.
- Provide detailed information about the new location: Offering comprehensive resources about their new location can help assignees and their families feel more prepared and less anxious about the move.
- Connect with host office colleagues: Establishing a connection with a colleague’s family unit in the host office before the move can provide friendly faces and points of contact for questions and support.
- Offer lists for gyms & clubs: Physical activity and social connections are crucial for well-being. Providing options for gym memberships or lists of clubs and organizations can help assignees and their families integrate more quickly into the community.
- Support with cultural training: Cultural training can help assignees and their families understand and adapt to cultural differences. This can prevent misunderstandings and promote smoother interactions in their new environment.
- Equip partners & spouses: Providing support for spouses is essential, as they often play a significant role in the success of an assignment. This can include career support, social integration programs, and access to networks of other expatriate spouses.
Our industry has many companies that can help, such as NetExpat, Pivt, IMPACT Group, REA, BiCortex Languages, and Global LT. Living Abroad supports many companies choosing to offer destination information and cross-cultural learning. Learning more about these companies can improve your program.
Fostering an organizational culture that values assignees is crucial. Regular check-ins and encouraging a sense of community where assignees can share experiences help identify issues early and provide support.
Ultimately, improving assignee happiness and success lies in providing comprehensive, timely, and accessible resources to address all the challenges in relocation. With access and support, assignees and their families will thrive in their new environments.
