I've had the privilege of running marathons in various corners of the world, and during my latest training regimen, I couldn't help but notice the striking similarities between the anxieties and exhilaration of marathon prep and the journey one undergoes when gearing up for a major assignment.
Sydney, Australia Marathon
So, in light of our recent summer of sport, I have created our latest article to highlight the key stages of preparing for and running the notoriously difficult ‘Mobility Marathon’.
In the second of this corresponding blog we look at the main event - marathon day:
It’s race day
All of the preparation & training is complete, and the big day is here! For assignees the actual move day should be relatively straightforward however there are small steps that you can take as an employer to help minimize any worries:
- Travel to the airport/pre departure accommodation – if your company supports this, ensure the employee knows how to book the relevant accommodation & which receipts to keep.
- Meet/Greet – arriving into the host location can be overwhelming, having a prearranged pick up service can help ensure your assignee gets to their host accommodation with minimal disruption.
This was a bad idea - I am never doing this again!
The excitement of the start line has passed, and you are mid-way through the marathon and it now seems like a really bad idea – you are not even sure if you will make the finish line.
In a similar way, it is very common for assignees to have a ‘slump’ after the initial excitement of the relocation has passed. Mobility teams should keep in mind that staggered relocation support that extends past the initial move period may be beneficial in supporting assignees through this period.
Next time
Phew I’ve finished, I’ve got my medal, but what next? – Despite all of the worries, once an assignee has completed their assignment there may often be the big questions of what next – how will an assignee use the skills they have gained? Will they want to pursue another international move?
Our final blog will check in on some of the measures Global Mobility can take to maximize the assignees gained experience as well as supporting employees who will seek another international experience.
Paris, France Marathon
