THE HUMAN TOUCH S PECI AL F E ATU RE At the centre of every relocation is a human story of individuals, partners and children that removals and relocation professionals need to consider. FIDI Focus finds out more about the human side of moving and discovers how the changing profile and choices of those in transit is set to have big implications for businesses of the future. By Dominic Weaver O DOMINIC WEAVER, FIDI FOCUS EDITOR Mariam Ottimoore and family have lived in nine dierent countries over 17 years ver the past 17 years, expat researcher, economist and author Mariam Ottimofiore has moved with her husband and family to nine countries in four continents so she knows the emotional highs and lows of an international move better than most. The human side of moving means mourning the losses but acknowledging and rejoicing in the gains; a new place, a new home, a new opportunity, new food, new traditions, new friends and the chance to explore a new corner of the world, she says. However, she adds: The more you do it, the harder it gets. Moving involves loss; both tangible and intangible. Deconstructing a home and packing up your life in a 40-foot container is the easy part. The harder part is acknowledging the loss of friendships, languages, familiarity, pets, relationships and experiences that come along with each move you make. Indeed, a move is one of the most emotional and potentially traumatic experiences a human can have. That it goes well in the build-up, during the actual move, and afterwards - is not optional; it is essential. Ottimofiore set up a blog to help international families like hers navigate the realities of relocating to and living WW W. F I D I. O R G FF292 AugSep19 pp34-41 The Human Side of Moving.indd 35 in new countries, cultures and languages. She says: It is vitally important that the moving industry the companies, human resources departments, relocation companies and global mobility specialists consider not just the practical aspects of the people and the families they are moving, but also the emotional, mental and personal circumstances as well. FAMILY MATTERS International relocation assignments are dicult enough for one person, says Ottimofiore, but when families move too, it can become far more complex. The success of an expatriation depends on how well prepared and how well equipped the family is in terms of access to resources and information, in order to thrive, she says. With 70 per cent of international assignees (Cartus survey, 2014) accompanied by a partner and almost half having dependent children, failing to ensure an employees family is well settled during the move can be costly. Family issues such as an employees partner or children not adjusting to a new location are cited as a major cause of failed assignments. Many of these issues could be alleviated by research of all components of a relocation, especially those factors 35 15/07/2019 15:56