Asian expatriate relocation: A checklist

A checklist for expatriate relocation

According to a most recent research study by Windham International (Wall Street Journal, March 19, 1996), China is the most popular destination for Western expatriates but it also ranks second to Japan as producing the most assignment failures. The reason given : " Families often don't adjust well."

However, the appointment of single expatriates also has difficulties, but this time because of problems associated with loneliness and alienation.

Both situations require careful management in that orientation to a new working culture involves new schedules, and social and living arrangements. All of which cannot be truly experienced until your new employee arrives at their destination and starts working. Many are surprised at the difference between an earlier visit when they were "spoilt" by their hosts and paradoxically enough, shielded from the realities of day to day working and what the reality actually is! Early symptoms of poor adaptation are sleeplessness, and symptoms of jet lag that do not go away. Victims react by "Flight" or "Fright", they either become more withdrawn trying to build a barrier between themselves and the situation, or they show the classic symptoms of "Fright: irritability, aggressiveness, lack of patience, and increased dependence on alcohol or other "reality cheaters".

The classic way to solve these problems is by increasing fringe benefits. Top class apartments, cars, and increased salaries and benefits, are the way companies used to solve these problems. But as we know, reliance on these "extrinsic" factors have limitations. The only real answer is hard work and planning, and careful and disciplined management.

The Asia Pacific Century is also ushering in a new dependence on recruiting locally. As you know, we believe that the only real way to develop an organisation is by training of local staff who already know the cultures and languages required. Local educational standards are now higher and in most countries, there is a ready market of locals who have worked and been trained overseas. For them there is less culture shock in moving back to a place they grew up in.

As a result, the bloated expatriate packages of yesterday reduce every year. After all, it is no longer necessary to pay overseas people for danger money for working in such places where living standards equal and in many cases exceed those of overseas capitals, and the food is plentiful and clean. You are unlikely to encounter a hungry tiger strolling down Beach Road in Singapore anymore, even though you may see an elephant being led down Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok.

How well do you manage your expatriate location and management? The following checklist that we have developed mirrors the areas in which we help expatriates make the transition, and companies to manage that transition. You may find this a useful checklist to compare to your own company's approach:

Visa and other immigration issues:

• visa application requirement and procedure
• destination country passport law
• local legal documents (identification card, driver's license, etc.)

Business Analysis:

• chamber of commerce and other business centers
• transportation
• business enterprises
• technologies
• media
• currency
• community organizations and places of worship
• banking and other financial institutions
• investment guides
• trade statistics
• communication facilities

Government and Politics:

• an overview of political history and background
• present political structure and how it influences business environment

General financial concerns:

• banking
• properties
• tax laws ( as related to relocation)
• insurance (property, health care, etc.)
• U.S. and International Social Security Agreements.

Travelling Needs

• travel guides
• local transportation
• safety tips while out and about
• language barriers

Health care and medical conditions:

• a historical review
• present condition
• medical facilities
• special conditions to watch out for (infectious diseases, areas to avoid, etc.)
• pre-departure checkup
• international health care insurance
• vaccination requirement
• water and food consumption issues

Basic communications guidelines:

• courier services
• telephone (country and city codes)
• fax facility
• cellular phones and pagers
• computer/electronic networks
• telephone-conferencing and video-conferencing
• translation associations

Country and culture introduction:

• government information
• culture and language
• culture shock/adaptation
• geographical data and maps
• population and ethnic diversity
• national identity
• holidays and normal business hours
• religion and philosophy
• education and higher learning institutions
• useful phrases

Special business etiquette of destination country:

• greetings
• clothing
• business gifts and entertaining
• unique etiquette (for example: Japanese tea ceremony)
• business letter and basic letter writing rules
• business cards
• stationery format and size
• do's and don'ts

Relocation processing and administration:

• rental or purchase
• short or long term accommodation
• property analysis
• tour of prospect area
• finance

Dual expatriate training:

• job-hunting service for working spouse or significant other
• household help
• orientation on environment and living condition for family
• school and education needs for children
• social outlets for non-working spouse or significant other
• any other help and services to ease your transition period and make it an enjoyable experience.