Recently we decided to share more broadly our best practices for partner support. Our reason for doing this is to avoid misunderstandings that could harm the support of expat partners. We strive to constantly improve spousal support, which is also in everybody’s interest.
New industry
This is a still a new industry. It’s only since the beginning of the 90s that companies first started to introduce professional support for expat spouses. Heineken, with its Heineken Partner Network, which would later become Global Connection, was one of the frontrunners together with Shell’s Outpost and Schlumberger’s Spouses Association. Before that time only a few pioneers offered forms of specific (career) support as a side business.
Growing market, but immature
Notwithstanding its ongoing strong growth, the market is still relatively undeveloped. Moreover, qualitative demand is increasing as expat partners choose to do more non-family related activities. Numerous misunderstandings still exist about spousal support. Fact-based decision making based on, for example, survey results and other data, is a must for all parties.
Improper programmes
The negative consequences of a cost-inefficient or ineffective support programme are significant. It’s surprising to see some reputable Fortune 500 companies implement programmes that had to be adjusted or even abandoned. These approaches were followed by costly and demonstrably ineffective schemes such as cash payments (i.e. ‘Gucci money’), most probably due to the convenience of implementation. Also some parties are still under the impression that this is only about career support. A number of organisations mistakenly regarded spousal support as a diversity issue. Furthermore, improper copycat programmes had negative impacts.
Series of articles
That’s why we have decided to publish a series of articles on our best practices. These best practices have been distilled from 23 years of spousal support experience and interaction with our clients. Numerous executed surveys and related innovations will also be taken into consideration.
