The Corporate Programs of Transition Jamaica
As the author of this blog, I am often asked where I developed the interest in assisting expats in their move to Jamaica.
The truth is, the work I do in assisting expats had its genesis in consulting projects for corporations, and blossomed from there to information products that are geared towards the individual who is moving to live here on the island. I was surprised to find that there was no information to be found to pass on to clients, which led me to start writing this blog, plus several e-books to fill the gap.
When I consult with companies on developing and delivering their relocation programs, I have found that the only way to be successful is to craft and design custom programs that meet very specific needs of the individual client and family
There are many similarities between the advice I give as a consultant and the tips I give as a blogger, with one major exception. In a corporate move, the relationship between the company and the family being moved is a delicate one that can be filled with misunderstandings and quiet complaints on both sides.
The family or individual is often in a vulnerable position, and companies routinely underestimate the challenge they may face in settling in to the new country. I have found this to be true for both local Jamaican companies and multinationals.
Local companies often make the mistake of not having structured programs that take into account the welfare of the trailing spouse and family. In the minds of some executives, a move from Mexico City is not not too different from a Kingston to Montego Bay relocation, and they tend to provide little or no assistance to the family.
On the other hand, multinational companies often have structured programs that are quite rigid, and were hardly developed with a move to Jamaica in mind. Families often find that the company’s policies and rules are inflexible, and that they must fight unnecessarily to carve out concessions that are minor in the eyes of “corporate,” but make a big difference when applied locally.
One multinational company, for example, could not understand the need for burglar bars in a townhouse complex with a :”guard.” Many failed to provide a pre-arrival trip, and the resulting culture shock was seen as something that the expat and spouse should work out for themselves.
The lack of trust that results is palpable, and often leads to early returns, costing the company thousands of dollars, and setting the expat’s career back by years.
Moving to Jamaica is no small matter. Leading a Jamaican workforce as an expat is also a hefty challenge if my experience and informal research is to be believed.
However, these are only obstacles to companies and families that are uninformed, and unaware of the cultural differences and ignorant of the advice of those who go before them.
When I work with companies, my goal is to provide a combination of experiences, information and coping skills that assist both the family and the company in making the move a success. Some of the services offered include:
- pre-arrival trip planning and coaching
- concierge services for the first 2-6 weeks
- acculturation experiences for the working and trailing spouse
- networking advice and resources for the trailing spouse
- assistance in finding housing, schooling, banking, etc.
My formal training and Graduate work in counselling adult students allows me to understand the delicate issues which may arise for an individual or couple during a transition, and what to do if or when a situation becomes critical or dysfunctional.
I am lucky to also have a degree in International Relations, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, and my 30 plus years living in New York and Washington DC allow me to give my clients a level of professionalism and care which is said to be unique.
As a Transition Specialist, my aim is to build a professional but close relationship that will assist the working expats and their spouses to prosper through what many say is a one-of-a-kind experience.
If you’d like to receive updates on my findings and research in the area of corporate transitions in Jamaica, add yourself to the list of those who receive information from me that is designed to assist companies that are bringing expats to Jamaica. Sign up today and I’ll send you a copy of a report I co-authored that focused on Trinidadian Executives coming to Jamaica to work as expats. It has a great deal of insights that are useful for executives from all nationalities.
Dale Wade
Click here to send me email: http://ReplytoDale.info
+1-954-323-2552 (a U.S. number)
+1-876-394-2513 (a Jamaican number)
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