Group Moves: What They Are, Their Importance and How to Plan and Execute Properly

Find out more about how group moves can benefit your business and your corporate relocation strategy.

Group moves are an essential component of corporate relocation. Although at first glance it might appear that group moves would function the same as a regular move but at a larger scale, group moves require a specialized approach. Leveraging the support of a relocation management company (RMC), such as MovePlus Mobility, can be a gamechanger. In this blog post, we define group moves, when are they necessary, their importance, how to plan and execute a successful group move.

What are Group Moves?

Group Moves are defined as the relocation of multiple employees to a single or various locations as a singular coordinated effort. There are a variety of reasons why a company may conduct a group move. These include relocating the main headquarters, opening a new regional headquarters, merging companies, or starting a special project, to name a few. Relocating employees as a cohesive unit not only takes into consideration each employees needs but also has to consider the group of assignees as a whole. This helps ensure that all employees receive equitable support and offer the advantage of executing the process collectively, thereby reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

The importance of Group Moves

1. Cost-EffectivenessOne of the most significant benefits of group moves is cost-effectiveness. By relocating multiple employees together, companies can negotiate better deals with service providers, such as housing agencies, transportation companies, and moving companies. This collective bargaining power allows for cost savings on accommodation, shipping, and other relocation-related services.
2. Fostering Team Development Group moves present an excellent opportunity to enhance and develop the team at your new location. When employees relocate together, they share similar experiences, challenges, and cultural adjustments. This shared journey creates strong bonds among team members, improving collaboration and productivity once they settle into the new location. All leading to higher assignment success rates.
3. Streamlined Logistics Planning and executing individual relocations for a large number of employees can be a logistical nightmare. Group moves, on the other hand, enable companies to streamline the entire process. Your RMC can conduct townhall-style meetings to answer assignee questions from visa arrangements to housing arrangements and orientation programs. This saves significant planning time and increases assignment acceptance rates, allowing the management of a group of employees to be more efficient, as tasks can be batched and organized for smoother execution.
4. Accelerating IntegrationFor employees relocating to a new country or culture, the initial adjustment period can be overwhelming. In group moves, individuals have the support of their colleagues facing similar challenges, making the transition more manageable. This support system helps employees integrate faster into their new environment, reducing the chances of homesickness and ensuring higher job satisfaction.

The Need for Proper Planning and Execution

While group moves offer numerous advantages, they also come with unique complexities. To ensure a successful transition, proper planning and execution are crucial. This is where MovePlus Mobility, or your preferred RMC, play a vital role. With the expertise and experience that an RMC holds, we are able to coordinate seamless group moves. Some of the key services required by group moves include:

• Counseling employees on relocation policy benefits
• Conducting thorough needs assessments for each employee involved in the move
• Creating comprehensive relocation policies tailored to the company’s specific requirement and fulfilling the employee population’s needs
• Maintaining effective and timely communication of moving activity with the client and assignees
• Managing visa and immigration processes to minimize delays and ensure compliance
• Coordinating logistics such as temporary accommodation, long term/permanent housing arrangements, travel booking, and shipment of household goods
• Providing cultural/language training and destination services programs to facilitate a smooth adjustment to the new location.
• Ability to handle a high volume of queries in a short period of time
• Established global network of suppliers able to support the volume of relocating employees

Conclusion

In conclusion, group moves are an integral part of corporate relocation, offering numerous advantages such as cost-effectiveness, team building, streamlined logistics, and accelerated integration. To ensure a successful group move, proper planning and execution are crucial. Partnering with a reliable RMC can make all the difference, ensuring a stress-free and efficient relocation process for both your company and employees to encourage high assignment acceptance rates and assignee satisfaction while upholding corporate goals.

If you’re have an upcoming group move you need to coordinate or need a complimentary relocation policy consultation, don’t hesitate to schedule an introductory call with our experienced team. Our expert consultants are here to guide you every step of the way, making your group moves a resounding success. Get in touch with us today to take your global mobility program to the next level.