Addressing the Needs of the Accompanying Family - Part 2
Ensuring Relocation Success for Families with Children
Sarah Langmead , Cosmos Consult
Any international relocation entails significant investment on the part of the employing corporation , both throughout the candidate selection and training process , and the funding of the actual relocation . Compensation and benefits packages need to match the real needs of the relocating family , especially true in ‘ hardship assignments ’.
In order to ensure success of the international relocation , to protect ROI and to apply the principles of conscious capitalism , the needs of ALL members of the transferring family unit must be addressed and met to a satisfactory level .
In this article we examine the subject of families relocating with children . We will look at the entire relocation journey from pre-move to the settling in phase and discuss what provisions global mobility professionals and parents can make to ensure relocation success .
Pre-Move
When providing cross-cultural input and pre-move data , be sure that all family members are included . Any international move entails a certain amount of culture shock , and just as in the case of adults , prior preparation can enable the setting of realistic expectations . This is especially true in hardship assignments wherein the living conditions of locals will be a stark contrast to the reality the expat family will enjoy .
Young people nowadays learn visually . Footage of the locality they will be relocating to , including both expatriate and local residential areas can assist to prepare them for the reality of everyday life that awaits them .
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