Group Move Implementation

In implementing a group move project, a number of well-tried and tested service ideas will normally be adopted. While every group move is different in terms of size and objectives, TEAM will normally recommend the following.

• Information room
• Area tours
• Local information
• Group presentations
• Supplier arrangements
• Role of local agencies
• Information room

This involves setting up a good-sized room within the current office, filled with a wide variety of useful information on the new location. It is important that the room is welcoming and easily accessible for all employees and that the information is regularly replenished and updated. Typically, this will include:

• Housing - details of properties for sale at new location, new housing developments, recommended estate agents, overviews of popular housing areas, local maps etc.
• Education - prospectuses for schools in public and independent sectors, latest league tables and similar data, school catchment areas, contacts at education authorities
• Infrastructure - transport links and traveling times, information on medical facilities, clubs and sports facilities
• Hard copy information can be supplemented by installing screens with Internet access to area information (login as 'team', password 'homematch') and recommended local websites. Local newspapers can also be provided.

The Information Room can be staffed at agreed times, by a combination of in-house staff and specialists from TEAM.

Area tours

A standard feature of most group move projects is the provision of weekend familiarisation tours, usually by coach, for employees and their partners. For parents of school-age (or younger) children, the tour will include local schools, with on-the-spot advice from a local educational advisor. For all employees, there is no better way of obtaining initial, accurate impressions of the area.

Arrangements for the tour should include good quality hotels, with good restaurant and bar facilities. It will usually be a good idea to incorporate talks (with Q & A opportunities) by local estate agents, mortgage advisers and education representatives.

Local information

Accurate and well-presented information should be provided on all aspects of the new location. This can be provided in hard-copy format, but TEAM can also provide a tailored website for the project, incorporating an online Area Guide (login as 'team', password 'homematch').

Group presentations

Good and regular communication is at the heart of every successful group move and group presentations will normally form a key part of the overall communications strategy.

Presentations to groups of staff ensure that employees receive accurate information and are able to participate in Q & A sessions. Presentations can be given by the in-house relocation team, specialists from TEAM, local professional advisers (e.g. a Solicitor, Estate Agent and Mortgage Adviser) and local authority representatives (e.g. on education and healthcare).

Supplier arrangements

TEAM have a UK-wide network of approved service providers. These suppliers cover every element of the house moving process and include:

• Solicitors
• Estate Agents
• Surveyors
• Movers
• Property Maintenance staff

It is critical that every service provider in the relocation supply chain has the capability and the capacity to deliver the required quality of service, particularly when a large number of moves are taking place within a short timeframe.

Special volume-related fee rates will be negotiated with each supplier

Role of local agencies

Local agencies such as Regional Development Agencies, Health Trusts and City/County Councils are able to play important roles in supporting the group move. This applies at both the planning stage (e.g. information on site availability, infrastructure etc.) and in the provision of practical support and information during the course of the project.

TEAM co-ordinate the input from all local agencies to ensure that employees receive seamless advice and information from a single point of contact.