Winter 1997/1998 – A well-designed relocation policy is the cornerstone to a successful relocation program. Bench-marking and other developmental methods are important when designing your policy but keep in mind that your policy is the "rule book" for your company, the transferee and your service providers. Your policy should be clear to all users and concise as possible. Remember to "keep it simple" when designing contracts and policies. Your policy should be reviewed and amended periodically to reflect changes in tax codes, the Relocation industry, legal rulings and your company's other policies and cultures. Your sales representatives should help keep you up-to-date on changes and trends in their respective industries. Let them know you value this information and encourage them to make suggestions on ways to improve your policy and contracts.  complete article.  

Winter 1997/1998 -- Whether revising an outdated program or fine tuning current benefits, a clearly written and consistently administered relocation policy provides the controls you need to manage relocation costs and results.  Start with an introductory message from management or human resources detailing the company's relocation philosophy and objectives. Your objectives may include providing for a smooth transition, assisting the entire family, selecting from a menu of services, or offering tax gross-up assistance. Incorporate your philosophy throughout the policy to reinforce your objectives.   complete article

ERC Establishes "Solutions of Distinction" Awards Program
To Salute Successful Problem Solving of Industry Challenges

Throughout the relocation industry's history, programs like lump sums, amended-value homesale, and expense tracking systems represented the ability to rise to a challenge and find an answer to a wide-ranging concern. Now ERC has created a program to recognize contemporary challenges and responses that have an equally profound effect on the industry through Solutions of Distinction, the first industry wide recognition awards program, open to all ERC and CIAM members.  complete story

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e-relay

September 1999 -- Think about having the flexibility to request, transmit, and receive service orders and status reports rapidly, any time of the day or night, without the need to coordinate busy schedules with relocation peers. Then think about the advantages of creating only one record for each relocation that is initiated, with all transferee and requisite service information feeding into that record. That's eRelay™, relocation's only industrywide, nonproprietary electronic commerce network! Because it was developed with modular use options, you can access eRelay™ as much, or as little, as you need to. You'll be able to take advantage of increased processing speed and enhance your client, employee and customer responsiveness. And transmitting documentation electronically lets you avoid the duplication of effort that often occurs. Staff efficiency is dramatically enhanced, overall accuracy is improved, and using staff resources more effectively minimizes operations costs!     [complete article]

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Cendant International Assignment Services Study Reveals Unique Challenges Women Face Abroad
(Danbury, CT, February 8, 2000) – The number of female employees transferred abroad is increasing, according to a recent survey by Cendant International Assignment Services (CIAS). Internationally, women now make up 16% of all employees who are relocating to other countries, up from 12% in 1997.
     A study performed by CIAS revealed that female assignees also face some unique challenges in the corporate environment abroad. Some of the challenges include establishing credibility where gender hierarchy exists, overcoming stereotypes and having to redefine their role as a female executive. Rita Bennett, Managing Director of Cendant Intercultural, The Bennett Group, Cendant Mobility’s intercultural training consultancy, noted however that "the vast majority of women have proven themselves to be well-equipped as international assignees, able to call upon strong collaborative and participative skills that serve them well in their new professional contexts."  [Complete Article]

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What Does It Take?  Recruiting and Retention
Matthew J. Vossler, DAL Partners, and executive search firm

So what does it take to attract and hold on to key employees short of bribery, coronation, or a visit from Tony Soprano? In today’s new economy of dot com -- twenty something millionaires, stock options, IPO’s, Silicon valley and alley, incubators, and venture capitalists, it may sound surprising that new innovations like sound management that can clearly define goals and objectives, meaningful benefits, a comfortable work environment, and likable fellow employees, may be the key ingredients of successful recruitment and retention strategies.    Complete Article

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How can you create fun in your office that energizes, motivates, and moves your people towards their goal? Check out these examples of what other companies have done.   [complete article]

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The bottom line on recruiting, motivating and retaining Generation X-ers
Cam Marston, Marston Communications

Spring 1999 -- Generation X is giving employees fits. The employers (generally baby Boomers or older) can’t figure Xers out and are going nuts. I hear them complain all the time, "What’s wrong with them?" they cry. When I ask about these employees, the one thing that they all have in common quickly becomes clear. They are between 22 and 33 years old -- Generation X.  [complete article]

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Aligning for Success
Jon P. Kraushar, President, Jon Kraushar & Associates, Inc.

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It pays to listen, with your whole body. On average, 20% of salespeople sell 80% of a company's products and services because they use their eyes and ears to pick up buyers’ cues. In a survey of 432 corporate buyers, 87% said that salespeople don’t ask enough questions about their needs, while 49% complained that salespeople talk too much. Read on to find out how to listen well!  [complete article]

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Personal Work Behavioral Styles: A plan to Understand Yourself and Others
as presented by Richard Christian, SCRP at the TRS Winter Workshop

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Winter 1998/1999 -- If you want to influence others, one trait is so much more powerful than all others: I call it the "magic bullet." With it, your audience will forgive just about anything you do wrong. With-out it, you can hit every bull’s eye in the room and no one will be impressed. Those who can be tough-minded but likable have the best chance to join the management elite. That’s because the business arena is wide open to public scrutiny and requires winning the goodwill -- the "like" votes -- of constituencies. These constituents include employees, investors, government regulators, consumer activists, and the news media. As Irving Shapiro, former Dupont CEO, said in an interview, "Today (the CEO) is a quasi-public official who needs as much skill in dealing with people as any Senator." [complete article]

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Spring 1998 -- There is no doubt that education -- learning new ideas and keeping current with industry trends and changes, and expanding your base of personal and professional contacts are two key elements that any successful business person recognized every day they put on a tie or log on to the net. The super flow of information that is available to us instantaneously along with the immense changes that are occurring in the market place every minute have a profound effect on one’s ability to stay up-to-date and to stay-in-touch! Furthermore, the globalization of our marketplace (its prerequisites) in erasing time zones and trade barriers and creating mandates for complete cultural awareness and understanding have added new meaning to the phrase "know your customer."     [complete article]

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It's astounding to think that five short years ago a family relocating to another state or country had difficulty finding helpful information on the Internet about their future home. Today, that same family is able to find a realtor, chat with them online, virtually tour neighborhoods and homes -- even buy the house of their dreams - all without ever leaving their computer keyboard. I'm not saying it's a hassle-free process. The next five years will definitely bring calm to Internet chaos. But, if you're a relocation company or employer supporting transferees, a wait-and-see attitude is not even an option when it comes to planning your company's Internet and Intranet strategies. [complete article]

Technology Changes the Job Profile
An Updated Portrait of a Realtor®
Relocation Business News, July 16, 1999.

We all have the stereotype of the average real estate sales person. Someone like the woman next door, a housewife looking for extra income now that the children are older. Or maybe a younger woman with preschoolers still at home. And sometimes an older man who has retired from his first career. We seldom think of a dedicated, full-time professional. In the dark ages when I sold real estate, an office would accept any candidate, hoping for one or two sales before they got frustrated and left. There was often little training an computers hadn’t entered the scene yet!

In reality, today’s members of the National Association of Realtors are better educated, embrace new technology and have more training than his or her predecessors in the past, said a recently released survey.       [complete article]

Spring 1998 -- Relocation always has been -- and always will be -- about communication, productivity, expectations, service and cost. The only way to improve these outcomes is to improve the process, and today’s technological tools equips us to improve the process dramatically. We now have the ability to unleash efficiencies that will set new standards of quality within our industry!  [complete article]

Spring 1998 -- It is a Great New World, albeit not an easy one. For all of us in Human Resources and Relocation the challenges and opportunities are more significant and positive than in the past five decades. We live and work in a world that is fast paced, rapidly evolving and presenting a mind expanding set of opportunities with the dawn of each day. We are challenged by business globalization, by multi dimensioned competition, by corporate and supplier consolidation and our individual needs to prioritize efforts in the mists of a multitude of options. Should we choose to avail ourselves of the benefits of this Great New World, we stand on the threshold of a brilliant future.   [complete article]

Danbury, CT – George Powdar has been promoted to Vice President, Operations Controller for Cendant Mobility. Bringing more than seventeen years of experience to his new role. Powdar will be responsible for the billing, equity, closing, accounts payable and client reporting functions for the company.

Wayne, PA – Patricia (Tish) Misell has joined Commonwealth Relocation Services, Inc. (CRS) as Relocation Coordinator. She is responsible for assisting and counseling transferring employees through the relocation process. She also serves as a liaison for CRS’ corporation clients and the company’ relocation service providers.

Darien, CT -- Recently, the format of Craighead Countries Online was upgraded to individually address the four key audiences requiring international country information; Long-term Assignees, Short-term Assignees, Business Travelers and others conducting international business, what Craighead refers to as "Virtual Travelers". Links to country-specific and general international information on the Internet have been added making Craighead Countries Online the most comprehensive, up-to-date single source available.

Landing, NJ – Crowfutt & Smith Moving and Storage is please to announce the additional of George Watson as Senior Vice President of National Accounts. George has been the recipient of many industry awards and honors and has been very active with ERC.

New York, NY – Douglas Elliman has appointed Paul F. Purcell Chief Operating Officer/ Managing Director. In his new position, Paul will be responsible for all administration and operations for Douglas Elliman’s New York and suburban offices.

Liberty Corners, NJ – Industry veteran James Simon has been named the new president of GMAC Relocation Services. He brings over 20 years of senior management experience in relocation and real estate to the position. GMAC Relocation Services, (GRS) a subsidiary of GMAC Home Services, has acquired CHA Relocation Management, Inc. a full service relocation management firm based in San Ramon, CT. Other recent acquisitions include Argonaut Relocation Services, Morrell & Associates, Windham International, and The Relocation Assistance Cooperative (TRAC).

Ridgewood, NJ – Stephen J. Eschbacker has been named president of Household Movers Services. He brings to this position 22 years of experience in the moving and storage industry.

Rocky Hill, CT – When Peter G. Helie purchased Prudential Connecticut Realty, he set forth a strategic plan to enable to company to continue to do business successfully into the 21^st century. The planned initiatives include setting up universal e-mail accounts for the 1000 sales executives and employees of the firm, and providing computerized direct-mail capabilities for the 32 Prudential Connecticut Realty offices around the state.
        PRC has commissioned IPIX, the leader in 360 degree imaging, to photograph select homes for virtual tours it’s upgraded web site. The state-of-the-art IPIX photography creates a sense of actually standing in the center of the room and taking a look around, all through the computer screen.

Chicago, IL – RELO, the nation’s largest network of independent real estate brokers, has appointed Pamela K. Chute, CRP as Regional Vice President, Membership Northeast. Pamela’s responsibilities will cover member needs from Maine south through New Jersey,

Somerville, NJ – Relocation Dynamics, Inc. (RDI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Barbara Howard, CRP as Business Development Executive for the New York metropolitan and Northeast areas. An 18 year relocation professional, Barbara has experience in operations, account management, and sales. Barbara will operation out of RDI’s Connecticut office.
        Sharon Morris has been hired as the Client Service Manager, and her duties will include the hiring and supervision of the Client Services Department, as well as the ongoing CSD education and training. Sharon brings with her an in-depth knowledge of the corporate (client) requirements with over 12 years experience within the relocation industry.

New York, NY – John Bemont of Bemont and Associates has been retained to manage the Victory Relocation Services, Inc. Consulting Division. As Managing Director of Victory Relocation Services, he will focus on maximizing relationships between corporate relocation departments and their service providers.

Ridgewood, NJ – In August Voyager International, Inc. officially became Arpin International Group, the international division of Paul Arpin Van Lines. All operations staff have remained the same, maintaining the right level of professional service. Already a national provider of international moving services, Arpin International Group is developing Regional Service Centers in major gateway cities, to further strengthen their position as a quality leader in worldwide moving.

CRN Announces International Conference

Consider attending the Paris Conference sponsored by CRN News in association with the International Herald Tribune.   The International Conference on Career Management and Employee Mobility will be held in Paris on November 17-19. More than 12 hours of advanced professional education has been assembled.   For information on the conference or registration, please contact Kate at 1-800-872-6863 or kate@boundinternational.com

TRS to Hold Charity Auction To Benefit Abused Women

Stirling, NJ . . .As TRS continues to grow and enjoy the support of its members, we believe that it is time to return something to the Tri-State community. In conjunction with this year's Annual Fall Dinner, TRS is holding a benefit auction in honor of its Founders, with proceeds going to the Devereux Foundation's Deerhaven. Deerhaven serves girls and young women who have been victims of domestic, emotional and sexual abuse. Deerhaven's goal is to help these women strengthen their self-esteem, gain a positive attitude toward learning and community, and to build positive interactions with others so that they may become contributing members of society.

"We're excited to give something back as an organization," explains TRS Vice President Cheryl Wright, "and Devereux is a very worthy cause." For more details on the upcoming auction, see related story on page 2.

 Cendant Mobility Broker Network Fulfills Amanda’s Dream

Danbury, CT, – Amanda, a nine year old Connecticut resident, has rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer. Like all children her age, she has always wanted to visit Disney World in Florida. However, this was simply not a possibility until Cendant Mobility Broker Network and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut became involved.