Worldwide Cost of Living Survey
Source: The Economist

World Productivity Rankings
Source: The Economist

Think About it

Foreign Worker Manual Updated

Source: Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC)

Time to throw out your old copies of the Foreign Worker Manual; it's been updated throughout with additional information. The most substantial update is in the Intra-company transferee section: the duration and caps have been harmonized between the various programs (NAFTA, IRPA, etc.).

Hiring International Students

Source: Simon Fraser University Career Management Centre

This overview of hiring international students was co-authored by Think Relocaiton Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting. International students are an excellent source of talent. The programs and guidelines put in place by CIC, HRSDC and BC PNP show that they recognize this too and are making it easier for employers to hire and retain international students.

U.S. Visas - Fee Schedule Updated

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Fees for visa processing have increased (or remained the same), effective July 30, 2007. The $190 USD fee associated with the I-129 form (mostly used for L1 and H1 applications) is now $320 USD.

Sold out: U.S. Immigrant Visas

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Immigrant Visas (part of the Green Card process) for employer sponsored applications have been allocated; no new immigrant visas are currently being issued. The date for the next allocation has yet been announced.

International Per Diem Report

Source: Expatica

This information from Air Inc. provides extended stay per diem information for various cities around the world.

The Expatriate Administrative Structure: Deciding What Works Best

Source: ORC

This article from ORC provides practical guidance and insight for companies administering their own expat programs. The authors cover everything from the relocation philosophy to cost to process to resourcing.

The Evolving Expatriate

Source: Expatica

This article summarizes research from Mercer Consulting which examines the characteristics of the current expat population. Compared to five years ago, more women are taking expat assignments and the trend is towards more short-term assignments and commuter assignments. Companies are increasingly using expat assignments as a career development program.

Relocation Benefits: Flexibility is key

Source: Prudential Relocation

With the changing and unique needs of relocating employees, providing flexbility in relocation benefits will keep your employees happy and loyal. Think outside the box and understand what benefits would be valued by your employees (such as elder care or concierge services).

 

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Think Ahead

CERC National Conference: Knowledge without Bounds

Host: Canadian Employee Relocation Council
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Date: September 23 - 25, 2007

The annual CERC conference takes place in Calgary this year and will feature best HR practices for talent management. Expect plenty of networking and a keynote addresses from Preson Manning and Michael Kerr.

Lunch and Learn: Suiting up for Fall

Host: The Image Builders
Date: September 27, 2007

The Image Builders gear you up for Fall with the Top 5 Office Looks for Fall and Techno Etiquette. Find out fall's best finds and find out the unwritten business etiquette rules of clacking away on your Blackberry during a meeting.

Relocation Insights: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Employee Relocations

Hosts: Think Relocation Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting
Date: October 18, 2007

We're bringing together an expert panel of relocation specialists to reveal insights into the relocation process and provide suggestions on ensuring a smooth relocation for your employees. This symposium is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and share with your fellow HR practitioners who also deal with this complex but fascinating area of human resources.

Calgary workshop series: Immigration Basics

Hosts: Think Relocation Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting
Location: Calgary
Dates: October 31 or November 1, 2007

This workshop unravels the mysteries and intricacies of Canadian Immigration. The Immigration Basics workshop has been designed to cover the theoretical and the practical, giving you enough information to be knowledgeable, but not overwhelmed.  The focus is enabling you to take control of your company’s immigration needs by building this expertise in-house.

Calgary workshop series: Relocation Basics

Hosts: Think Relocation Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting
Location: Calgary
Date: November 1, 2007

This workshop to tackles the complex and potentially mind-boggling world of Relocation. We’ll look at the 3 P’s of developing a killer relocation program – from Philosophy to Policy to how it works In Practice. And then we’ll turn the tables and look at it from the candidate’s perspective to make sure you’re prepared to answer their tough questions.

 

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Think Tank

Cheat!

Cheating comes in many forms and varying degrees of wrongness. We've all done it and we've all seen it. Ever been gleeful about the item the cashier neglected to scan? The friend who let you stand with them in a line (rather than go to the back)? The discreet nod from the other side of the poker table indicating what they've got in their hand? The "borrowing" of your neighbour's wireless internet connection? Oh yes, we delight in these "bonus" moments in life. We feel like we're getting ahead, that we deserved this, that we're being compensated for wrongs that have been done to us. So go ahead, gloat.

And then take a few moments to think about the consequences of these seemingly inocuous events: In order for you to get ahead, someone else will fall behind. When you jump the queue, it means you bumped all the other people back. When you don't pay your share, it means someone else gets less. You win at the expense of someone else. Starting to sound a little selfish, isn't it?

Cheating seems harmless now but continually accepting it as okay means it will eventually become the norm. If you see someone else doing it, you feel like it's okay to cheat, too. And from there, it spreads. As individuals, we don't like to be on the receiving end of cheating so we shouldn't on the giving side side either. And as businesses, it's not acceptable either.

If cheaters never prosper and winners never cheat, then that means we'll end up as Prospering Winners?

Sounds good!

Marlene
Principal, Think Relocation Consulting

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