The Challenge – To provide Cross Cultural Training on a limited budget

Is it possible to deliver the quality cross-cultural training that expats need to perform effectively when the global mobility budget is tight?

We commented in last month’s newsletter that the desire to cut the cost of expatriate assignments has been a reoccurring theme in industry surveys. In fact, reducing the costs of expatriate assignments has been a continuing goal for most global mobility specialists over the past five years. 

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International Assignments - observations and trends

In a recent discussion with global mobility colleagues we discussed some of the differences we had observed in international assignments over the past 12- 18 months. As well as those things that continue to stay the same. I was interested to see if our observations were a Sydney/Australia-specific phenomenon or indicative of wider trends so reviewed some of the surveys from this year.

We've noticed a changing demographic

The surveys did not have a conclusive response to this observation. While we have observed an increase in the numbers of younger assignees this was not consistently reflected in the surveys. The Brookfield 2012 Global Relocation Trends Survey reported on a "marked jump from last year of employees aged 20-29 (13%)… While the age most represented continues to consist of those in the 40-49 year old group (34%)… this year's important increase in the youngest age group provides an additional sign of improving economic conditions and optimism."

In contrast the 2012 Trends in Global Relocation Survey from global relocation services company Cartus Corporation, reported "The profile of today's assignee is shifting from the younger, single employees who were more prevalent just two years ago. Companies surveyed this year said that 48% of their transferees would probably be in the 40+ bracket – a 37% increase compared with 2010."

My colleagues and I had also observed an increase in the number of women assignees, a trend that was supported by both the surveys referred to above.

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