When introducing a new partner support programme, Ellen Jansma, Head of International Mobility at Philips, believes the three most important things to consider are communication, communication and communication.
Underutilised funds
Ellen’s advice is vindicated by the results of our 2012 survey, which revealed that communication was also identified by you and our expat partners as the most important area for improvement when enhancing expat partner support. However, when spouses only utilise 37 percent of the funds allocated to partner support while also asking for more support, something is clearly amiss.
Spreading the word
Heineken produces an attractive e-magazine to fully explain its expat policy, including its partner support programme. There’s also no reason why existing material can’t be repositioned – Yara, Rabobank and Unilever, for example, have found our already published articles useful for internal communication purposes.
How to reach spouses?
Some of you make good use of our media to reach the expat partner through dedicated pages in our printed and digital magazines and by utilising brochures.
New website, more options
Our revamped website now offers even more possibilities to channel customised and personalised information to expat partners. As well as providing company portals, it also affords the possibility to communicate with spouses within our worldwide partner network at local or regional levels.
