A survey amongst the international hire population of Philips confirmed that partner support is considered a very important benefit. So when a new policy for this population was introduced, partner support was duly included.
Transparency, simplicity and equity
Last year, Philips relocated 750 international hires – namely, people who move to another country on a one-way ticket and with an open-ended local contract. Compared with the number of expats the company employs – about 500 – it is evident the international hires have become a very important group. Although on different contracts, the needs for relocation support are practically the same, because it’s all about moving families from one country to another.
Improvements in customer efficiency
Vanessa Dullaart of Philips’ International Mobility department: “We have recently designed a global policy that’s applicable to the entire international hire population and therefore limiting the need for individual agreements.” Ellen Jansma, head of the department, adds: “Next to the deployment of a new policy we have also made the necessary changes to existing processes. By doing so we have made significant improvements in efficiency and the customer experience.”
Partner support programme
“In close collaboration with Global Connection, already the partner of Philips for expat partners, we have designed a partner support programme for this particular target group,” says Ellen. She explains: “For instance, we offer them 10 hours of coaching with Global Connection related to their professional development. Also the Cycles of Change cultural awareness training is offered, next to local language training. And the Global Connection network offers the opportunity for this group to connect with each other.”
Career of their own
Reactions have been “very enthusiastic”, according to Ellen Jansma. Philips, she says, understands and acknowledges that partners often have a career of their own. “And so offering partner support can be crucial in the decision making process.”
Photo: Vanessa Dullaart (left) and Ellen Jansma (right)
