Relocation Archives - Delsuites' Blog

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Relocation

Global Mobility and the Employee Experience: Making Relocation Boost Business Success

December 18, 2024

Employee relocation offers significant potential for both businesses and their teams. For companies, a strong global mobility program allows them to access talent around the world and strengthen their presence in key markets.

Relocating can also be a way for employees to grow professionally and personally, especially as trends like bleisure travel – blending business with leisure – have gained popularity. Many employees are eager for these unique experiences, seeing relocation as a way to expand their horizons while building their careers.

Yet, despite this potential, over 40% of businesses report no defined global mobility strategy. This powerful tool for business growth and employee engagement often gets underutilized.

Here’s our guide for you to get started. Now’s definitely the time for businesses to create mobility programs that support employees’ well-being and make relocation a rewarding experience.

What is a Global Mobility Program?

Global mobility is the structured relocation of employees to new locations – whether within the same country or across borders – to fulfill strategic business needs.

A global mobility program supports this process by handling every aspect of an employee’s transition, making it as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Some key elements of a global mobility program include:

Relocation Logistics: This covers the essentials of moving, from shipping personal belongings to coordinating travel. Companies often work with specialized relocation agencies to handle the details, making sure that employees and their families experience a seamless move.
Immigration and Legal Compliance: Navigating visas and work permits can be complicated. A well-managed program secures these essential documents and enforces compliance with local laws, which is crucial for protecting both the employee and the company from legal issues.
Financial and Tax Assistance: Moving can have significant financial impacts. Global mobility programs offer financial planning, tax equalization, and adjustments for cost-of-living differences. This gives employees peace of mind as they switch over to a new location.
Accommodation: Finding the right place to stay is essential for a smooth relocation. Furnished rentals are often provided as they offer more flexibility and comfort than hotel stays. These rentals come fully equipped with amenities like kitchens and laundry, helping employees feel more at home while keeping costs lower.

A complete global mobility program considers each of these factors to ease the transition for employees and their families, so they can focus on their new role and thrive in their new location.

Benefits of Global Mobility

Research shows that more than eight out of ten global HR decision-makers see relocation as a way to improve productivity. It’s no surprise then that many companies now use global mobility programs to retain top talent and support their most valued employees.

Among the benefits of employee relocation are:

Talent Development: Relocation offers employees a chance to gain valuable skills and experience in diverse settings. This can prepare them for future leadership roles.
Market Expansion: By moving skilled employees to key locations, businesses can enter new markets more effectively.
Employee Retention: Supporting employees with relocation opportunities demonstrates a company’s commitment to their growth, boosting loyalty.
Increased Productivity: Employees who feel supported in their new role and location are more likely to perform well, benefiting both the business and the individual.

When companies know how to welcome a relocated employee, the transition is smoother, making the employee feel more valued and ready to contribute.

Why the Employee Experience Matters in Global Mobility

Global mobility isn’t just about achieving business goals – it’s about caring for the employee’s journey, too. One of the common relocation mistakes that companies make is failing to help employees settle in once they arrive.

Without providing enough support, moving to a new location can feel overwhelming, which can lead to stress and impact their job performance.

Supporting employees’ mental health during a relocation is essential and seen as a major hurdle that companies need to tackle. Moving to a new culture, handling logistics, and balancing family needs can be a lot to manage.

Companies that offer mental health resources, like counselling and regular check-ins, help employees feel more at ease. It not only reduces stress but also makes a big difference to their overall experience.

By prioritizing employee experience in global mobility, companies improve not just employee satisfaction but also loyalty, productivity, and the overall success of the relocation.

Best Practices for Ensuring Employee Relocation Success

To ensure a smooth relocation, both the company and the employee need thoughtful planning and support.

Here are some best practices for a successful move:

Plan Ahead: Start the process early, giving employees enough time to prepare and adjust.
Provide Comprehensive Support: A strong relocation package should cover essentials like accommodation, family needs, and cultural training to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Communicate Clearly and Often: Keeping employees informed at every step reduces uncertainty and helps them feel more confident.
Support Cultural Integration: Resources like language classes and cultural workshops make it easier for employees to adapt to their new environment.
Regular Check-Ins: Staying in touch after the move shows support and helps address any issues that arise.

These practices create a positive relocation experience, making it easier for employees to adapt with ease.

Choose DelSuites for Seamless Employee Relocation

Now that we live in a more globally connected world, a thoughtful approach to employee mobility can redefine how businesses grow and engage talent.

By focusing on the employee experience and implementing a strong global mobility program, companies can be confident that relocations will lead to happier, more productive employees – and ultimately, business success.

At DelSuites, we understand the importance of a smooth transition when relocating employees. As one of Toronto’s most trusted providers of furnished rentals, we offer accommodations in vibrant neighbourhoods designed to make employees feel at home from the moment they arrive.

Get in touch with us to learn how DelSuites can support your global mobility needs.

Announcements, Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Relocation

DelSuites: Back and Better at the GBTA Trade Show 2024

April 10, 2024

A hearty hello from all of us here at DelSuites! Spring is in the air, but the excitement is just beginning for us. As we enjoy the unfolding beauty of the season in Toronto, we’re also gearing up for another key event on our calendar: The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Canada Conference 2024.

An international gathering like no other, this prestigious assembly brings together professionals from all corners of the business travel world. As you can tell, we’re all aflutter about meeting again, sharing insights, networking, and catching up with them.

Each year, the event is set to take place in our very own city, making it all the more special. Without a doubt, you can expect the finest of Toronto’s hospitality and multicultural charm to flavour the conference. Stick with us as we journey towards this much-anticipated event.

A Brief Glance: The GBTA Defined

The Global Business Travel Association, GBTA, is more than an organization. It’s a powerful voice representing the business travel industry worldwide. By uniting people from different corners of the globe, GBTA forges a platform where members can learn, be inspired, develop, and advocate for shared interests.

Headquartered near Washington D.C., GBTA’s influence spans six continents. Its mission, fuelled by a global community, benefits from the following stats:

It has over 8,000 members
It embodies a booming $1.35 trillion global business travel and meetings industry.
It extends its reach to an impressive network of 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts.
It boasts a portfolio of world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media.

GBTA is a powerhouse of resources and connections invaluable to every business travel professional.

Why We’re Excited to Return to This Year’s GBTA Conference

There’s always a sense of unparalleled buzz and exhilaration that accompanies our return to the GBTA conference – and this time, it’s no different. According to the conference’s website, GBTA is all about creating and nurturing valuable relationships while generosity exploring new opportunities, something we at DelSuites truly resonate with.

Speaking of DelSuites, let us shed a little light on what we’re bringing to the conference. Serving a discerning “Fortune 500” clientele, DelSuites has emerged as a prominent player in the Greater Toronto Area.

Our impeccable Tridel brand condominiums, loaded with top-notch facilities and extensive convenient services, set us apart.

Setting foot in a DelSuites accommodation is an experience like no other – personalized service, prime locations, and seamless maintenance speak volumes about our dedication to our clients. This is the essence and value we’re excited to share at the GBTA Conference 2024!

What Does It Mean to Be a GBTA Member?

While we’re all excited about the conference, we’re also proud to say that we’re members of the GBTA. But what exactly does that entail?

Being a GBTA member signifies our commitment to innovation, professionalism, and the highest standards in global business travel management. That’s why we are happy to be part of this community; an association that promotes strategic interaction and knowledge sharing, thus enabling us to serve our clientele better.

Last Year’s Data

Reflecting on our previous rendezvous at the GBTA Conference in 2023 brings back some fond memories and terrific milestones. As highlighted on the official GBTA website, the event demonstrated that it was a thriving marketplace and a gold mine of industry expertise.

To grasp the magnitude of the strides we made last year, here are a few key figures:

A whopping 88% of buyers intended to establish connections with at least one new supplier they interacted with on the 2023 expo floor.
A majority of the attendees, 69% to be precise, had a significant industry experience of over 10 years, with almost half of that number holding a minimum of 20 years under their belt.
The conference was a global affair, with 65% of the companies coming from outside Canada. An additional 20% represented multinational corporations, and 15% were Canadian businesses.

The exhibitor lineup predominantly consisted of hotel franchises, airlines, and transportation firms. As you can see, there are lots of possibilities, plenty of potential connections and more lessons to learn!

What to Expect This Year

Mark your calendar for three electrifying days of exhilarating experiences at the GBTA conference! This year’s schedule spans from April 22nd until the 24th and includes a perfect blend of main stages, expos, and education sessions, offering an enriching and broad spectrum of activities.

Let’s delve into what each day looks like based on what the GBTA has announced by far:

Day 1

Start with the Connect First Orientation to get all the insights about the conference, enabling you to fully optimize this grand event.
Step into the Opening Main Stage, where we would convene with like-minded professionals and industry leaders.
Complete the day by exploring the innovative Opening Expo, where you’ll encounter the newest trends and solutions in the business travel industry, including us!

Day 2

Attend two Main Stages that host groundbreaking dialogues and discussions led by illustrious speakers.
Be a part of two Education Sessions (three choices to choose from in the morning and afternoon) touching on a range of industry topics: offer and order management, marketing, technology and AI, and buyer relationships.
Spend more time on the 2nd day of the Expo, uncovering a wealth of opportunities.
Unwind in the evening at the Big Night Out, a 5-hour event promised to be full of fun, networking and relaxation. The theme is yet to be announced.

Day 3

Choose between four additional Education Sessions designed to provide insights on bidder proposals, security and safety, stakeholder relations, and the Duty of Care legislation.
Take one last tour of the expo to cement new partnerships and relations.
Saying goodbye doesn’t have to be sad! Join us one last time at the Closing Main Stage to wrap up your experience with key takeaways and memorable moments.

As GBTA 2024 is shaping up to be a highly enriching event, we hope you’re as excited as we are!

Join Us in Toronto

Toronto is all set to welcome you. This year’s GBTA conference will unfold at the fantastic Beanfield Centre, making it a truly special occasion. Excitement is in the air, so why wait? Secure your spot today, make plans for your GBTA journey, and explore boundless opportunities.

We at DelSuites would be delighted to chat with you, so feel free to reach out if you’re just as thrilled as we are. It’s time to make some memorable professional strides together.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Relocation

Making it Easy – HR to Relocate Employees

March 2, 2024

One of the main roles of an HR professional is to take care of the company’s employees, ensuring that they have everything they need to achieve success in their new role. When you send out key players to a new location, one of the best ways to support them and relocate employees is to set them up with a great place to stay.

Where Do Employees Stay When They Relocate?

Let’s say you are relocating an employee to Toronto on a short-term assignment or project. You can either doom them to a stay in a cramped hotel room where they will have to get work done on a tiny table in the corner and eat dinner in bed, or you can set them up with a full apartment so they can live comfortably. This is especially important when these employees are relocating for work with family and partners, as they will require more space and amenities.

When you offer high quality, comfortable and convenient accommodation for your employees, this will have a positive effect on your bottom line in the way of improved employee satisfaction and better retention. Plus, when employees have a comfortable place to live they will arrive at work happy, healthy, well-rested and ready to perform their best.

Advantages for HR to Relocate Employees into DelSuites Furnished Apartments

When you are relocating employees into furnished apartments in Toronto, they will be more comfortable than in a hotel room. Here are some of the features that a DelSuites fully furnished rental suite offers:

24-hour customer service, secured parking and housekeeping.
A fully equipped kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, allowing for convenient self-catering.
A spacious living area with a separate dining and sleeping area.
Convenient locations close to the most important neighborhoods and transit in Toronto, so that employees don’t have to spend a lot of time commuting.
High-speed internet and free local and long-distance phone calls.
Underground, assigned parking with 24-hour building security.
En-suite laundry facilities.
Many of our properties are pet friendly so that employees can bring their beloved animal companions when they relocate.
A friendly team of experienced staff who will welcome all guests in a professional, helpful way.

These apartments allow employees to have a residential experience while remaining close to the office. Also, they will be able to have a social life, as this style of accommodation enables them to invite family or friends over to visit. Plus, long-term corporate apartment rentals are much more cost-effective than daily hotel rates. When factoring in the benefits of amenities, there are significant savings.

These apartments are the ideal way to bridge the gap between onboarding and a permanent relocation. With comfortable surroundings such as these, employees can ease into their new environment when arriving for a position.

To find out more about our corporate furnished apartments in Toronto for human resources, click here to learn more about Employee Relocation.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

How to Welcome an Employee Relocating

January 17, 2024

Thoughtful relocation support can make a big difference and can positively impact the performance and overall happiness of your new team member. So, how can you make your employee relocating feel right at home in their new city? Here are some ways that you can welcome your new employees so that you can make a great impression on them from the start.

Employee Relocating – Give Them a Welcome Pack

This is a lovely gesture that will make your new employee feel special. You can give it to them on the first day at work, or have it waiting for them at their accommodation. What should you put in it? How about:

A warm and friendly letter welcoming them to the city and the company.
A guide to the city with suggestions on interesting spots to visit.
Local snacks or cookies.
A bottle of wine or a case of local beer.
A map of the area where they will be living.
Coupons for discounts or freebies at local businesses.

Provide Them With Convenient Accommodation

Employee Relocating Placing your new employees in a hotel until they can move into a more permanent home isn’t a great solution, especially if they need to stay there for a month or longer. Instead, provide them with a furnished corporate housing apartment where they can enjoy all of the comforts of home, such as a kitchen, washer and dryer, living room, office space and parking.

Plus, make sure that they are located close to where they will be working. They are new to the city and they don’t want to be spending all of their time getting lost while commuting.

Create a Helpful Checklist

When locating a new province or country, there are a lot of things that your new employee will need to think about when getting themselves settled in their new home. This can be overwhelming for them, as there are so many things to do and it’s hard to know what is time-sensitive and what isn’t.

It can be very helpful to create a checklist for your employee relocating, to help them understand what needs to be done and what their priorities are. It will break down the large and overwhelming task into simpler and more manageable pieces. For reference, here’s a helpful checklist for employees moving to Canada from abroad.

Host Opportunities to Socialize

Employee Relocating When your new employee arrives, they will likely not know anyone in the city and might feel a little bit lonely. You can make them feel more at home by hosting events where they will have a chance to make friends.

You can also offer information to them about other opportunities to meet people. If you aren’t sure what to suggest, ask your existing employees what events or get-togethers they attend or what things they did in the city to make friends when they first arrived. Many different activities and groups will welcome newcomers and make them feel like part of the community.

If you are looking for more information about employee relocation be sure to learn more about Employee Relocation and if you are looking for a place around Toronto, be sure to search which short-term rental works best for you.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

Why Furnished Rentals Beat Hotel Stays

October 13, 2023

Furnished rentals are an alternative to hotel stays when you are travelling for business or pleasure, but they also give so much more. Here are a few of the benefits that apartment-furnished rentals in Toronto have to offer.

With Furnished Rentals, you’ll have a full kitchen.

Part of the joy of travelling somewhere is checking out the local culinary scene, but if you are eating out for every meal during your trip it can get old (and expensive!). With your own kitchen, you will be able to cook whenever you wish and even host guests or business meetings within your own private space.

It’s so convenient to have your own kitchen so that you can whip up a quick breakfast in the morning before a day of sightseeing, or cook dinner for yourself with simple ingredients from the supermarket when you want to skip dining out and save money. The option to self-cater is also a huge life-saver if you have special dietary requirements that make it difficult to dine out.

You’ll have much more room.

Another delight of staying in a furnished apartment rental in Toronto that you just don’t get with a hotel room is the amount of space you will have. In a hotel room, you will usually just have a bed and perhaps a table, but in a furnished apartment you will have a living room, a separate bedroom and a kitchen. This means that if your travel partner wants to stay up and watch TV and you want to go to bed, you can do so without disturbing each other.

According to the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, on average you will have 30% more space than the equivalent standard of a hotel. However, they figure that serviced apartment prices are typically 20% less than hotel rates of the same standard. So, you’ll be getting more space for a better rate.

You can do laundry.

If you are in a hotel you have to send your clothes away for cleaning, which will cost extra. In your furnished apartment, all you have to do is pop them in the washing machine, add some soap, press a button and Voila! This means that if you spill food on your shirt before an important business meeting, there’s nothing to stress about. Also, you can pack light even for a longer trip, making getting around so much easier.

You’ll have parking.

Parking in the city is a pain, but when you stay in furnished apartments you’ll be able to keep your car safe and sound in the building’s covered parking lot. This saves you a lot of hassle. Plus – you may not even need a car. Many of our furnished rentals in Toronto are so well located that you’ll be close to public transit and you’ll be only a short walk from anything you might need like shops, entertainment, restaurants and more.

When it comes to having a comfortable, homey place to stay, furnished rentals in Toronto beat a hotel room – hands down.

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