This means the broker opportunities for direct corporate relationships are diminishing. More often, real estate firms will need to promote their capabilities to intermediaries like relocation management companies (RMCs) and other international assignment managers (e.g. Big Three tax firms). As a broker/owner or relocation director, you would want to aim your marketing of relocation services more toward these intermediaries and volume aggregators. As their business becomes even more international in scope, you can distinguish your real estate firm by offering locally those international services that align with and complement the big global management companies.
And by the way, you’re not alone in needing to learn and grow internationally. Our advisory capabilities have had to keep up with this trend too. I’m pleased and proud to announce that our Projects Director Peg Guinta has recently met the demanding qualifications of the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council in earning its Global Mobility Specialist designation. Peg has been with RIS Consulting Group since 1996, acquiring international expertise in mobility policies, services and program administration. She has particularly focused on survey-based research and is a dedicated and meticulous analyst. Peg is also a Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) — a great asset to our firm and for your advisory needs as well. Despite her modesty, she very much deserves this acknowledgment of her GMS achievement.
As you consider tackling international relocation in a more robust way, please consider us as a sounding board for your ideas or concerns. You’ll find plenty of room to grow in this bigger world.
John B. Sculley, SCRP, is Vice President – Managing Director of RIS Consulting Group, johnsculley@rismedia.com.
