The Global Phoenix - Issue 3 August 2017 | Page 22

Case Study
Sourcing Expatriate Housing
data in Hardship Destinations
Obtaining the Facts - Process Flow
There are 3 main steps in the data supply process:
STEP 1 - Collection & Evaluation of ‘raw data’
STEP 2 - Collation & Cataloguing of data
STEP 3 - Analysis & Interpretation of data -
establishing trends and forecasts
In each of these 3 steps, the challenges
encountered when working globally to obtain
accurate, current and transparent data must be
identified and overcome.
Challenges in STEP 1 -
Collection & Evaluation
of Raw Data
1. The Mindset Challenge -
Local vs Global Mentality
Expectations - As has been stated,
on-the-ground local suppliers,
and indeed often also local HR,
may not be cognizant of corporate
and expatriate expectations and
requirements as they themselves
and their usual clientele live in a
different reality, the local reality. This
can present a challenge if trying
to source pricing data through this
channel.
Perception and Evaluation - Our
own evaluation is bound by the
reality we personally experience.
A local may evaluate a specific
property as being a ‘good standard’
residence, whereas an expatriate
would not even consider it. In many
hardship destinations property
portals at times advertise a property
as ‘haut standing’ (French for high-
standard properties) or ‘luxury
dwelling’. The data collector must
learn to look past the adjectives and
superlatives to the facts from an
expat’s perspective:
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Home Finishings - An example
is an advert placed online in
2016 for a rental property in
Douala, Cameroon. A glowing
description was given of how
the house had a ‘concrete floor’.
Locally, where many properties
have compacted ground as
flooring, this is indeed luxury,
but no expat would be content
with a concrete floor anywhere
but a garage or toolroom. What
is perceived as a luxury locally is
perceived as substandard by the
expatriate!