Blog

The Faster the Pace of Technology, the More Critical Humans Will Become. 04.12.2022 | Jennifer Connell

Sure, we may all suffer from a little “tech neck” from time to time, but by and large, we can all agree that technology advancements are a wonderful thing. Thanks to the leaps and bounds made in internet technology and infrastructure, our children will never be subjected to the shrill squawks of dial-up. And because of the intuitive AI integrated into most eCommerce platforms, I never forget to order bagels during my weekly online grocery haul.

Technology has also revolutionized how we move talent, providing similar AI empowered tools and mobile conveniences that have allowed us to engage with employees at every point of their move through systems that are both convenient and highly customized to their needs. So, are these mobility technology platforms effectively taking the place of the relocation counselor? Not quite. In fact, we’re discovering that the opposite rings true: the faster the pace of technology, the more important humans become.

Is Mobility Tech Measuring Up?

Regrettably, technology innovations within the mobility realm haven’t quite met the mark when it comes to providing the ease that clients and employees need to bring the multiple mobility tentacles into one central platform. There are a lot of different people touching a lot of different pieces when it comes to moving talent – from immigration to home sale and purchase to taxation and compensation – and connecting each of these components in a cohesive way has never really been done before.

But change is on the horizon!

For example, Weichert’s service platform, Weichert Go, provides a user experience congruent with the Amazon effect: namely, a convenient, frictionless, highly curated tool that simplifies decision-making. Employees want technology that knows them and puts them at the heart of their relocation experience, while giving them the flexibility to make their own choices. They want a single platform that helps them stay on track, glean insights and communicate effortlessly.  And companies benefit from a more engaged employee, which helps to manage expectations and reduce costs.

Clients, above all, value dynamic data integrity; access to the numbers they need to manage their programs, contain costs, and isolate the processes that just aren’t fit for purpose. And rather than siloed data from multiple sources, they want a holistic “EcoView”; dashboards that give them an accurate snapshot of their entire mobility program. While so many technology advancements boast the ease to do it yourself, this doesn’t always appeal to those who are already doing too much. They may want the option of having this powerful data at their fingertips – data that tells a story and positions them as strategic, proactive leaders – but in many cases, they want a Sherpa guide to help them navigate the process.

And as service providers, we want future-proof tools that will help efficiently collect and track information from suppliers and employees, compiling it intelligently so that we can quickly capture trends and behaviors, and increase our value as strategic partners – and guides – to our clients.

Humans, Please Stay Seated

While the conversation in the mobility sphere has for so many years centered around the digitization of processes, the truth remains that this is a human industry. There is an inherent emotional element of relocation, and while the role of humans may be shifting, the need and impact remains strong!

Mobility leaders are recognizing that in order to provide more flexibility and independence through technology, experienced counseling is more important than ever.

This is where an experienced, knowledgeable RMC partner can be a guide, sharing the information that matters the most, and answering questions so that the client is empowered to make decisions quickly and confidently.

To dive a little deeper into the key trends we can expect to see this year in world of workforce mobility, watch the full recording of our webinar: Mobility 2022 and Beyond: Predictions, Forecasts and Looming Challenges.

Share this Article

Written by Jennifer Connell

Weichert_Jennifer_Connell

Jennifer Connell, SCRP, SGMS-T, is Vice President of Weichert’s Advisory Services group. She has over 25 years of experience in the workforce mobility and employee benefits industries and is a recipient of Worldwide ERC’s Distinguished Service Award. She has spoken on workforce mobility topics at industry conferences throughout North America and written for mobility- and HR-themed blogs and magazines worldwide.

Cookie Statement

In order to deliver an optimized user experience, this site uses cookies. To learn more, please see our cookie policy.

Accept & Close

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter. It's an easy way to stay connected to the latest workforce mobility trends and best practices.