Sprout

Content Series October - Managing Business Travellers in Global Mobility For the remainder of October, we’re focusing our thought leadership on managing business travellers within a global mobility context by exploring how organizations can better track, support, and stay compliant while enabling employees to move easily and safely across borders. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing insights and conversations around: - Business travel vs. short-term assignments - where the line is and why it matters - Technology and compliance in business traveller tracking - Duty of care and employee experience while on the move - Best practices from leading global programs Stay tuned as we unpack the strategies that help organizations turn mobility complexity into opportunity, one business trip at a time. #GlobalMobility #BusinessTravel #RelocationManagement #EmployeeExperience #TravelCompliance #CorporateMobility Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP, Renee Bissonnette, CRP

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from Sprout! 🍂 As we take a moment to pause and reflect this Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, we’re grateful for the incredible people who make every relocation journey possible from our employees, clients, partners, and the amazing individuals who move with courage and resilience to plant new roots. Thanksgiving reminds us of the power of community and connection. Just like every move, it’s about new beginnings, growth, and the warmth of feeling at home, no matter where you are in the world. From our family to yours, we wish you a joyful and restful holiday filled with gratitude and togetherness. #Thanksgiving2025 #Gratitude #GlobalMobility #RelocationReimagined #SproutGlobal

CERC Deep Dive - Measuring Mobility ROI How do mobility professionals prove the value their programs bring beyond the relocation itself? At the 2025 Canadian Employee Relocation Council Conference and in our follow-up deep dive sessions, measuring the return on investment (ROI) for mobility and selling mobility internally was a recurring and critical theme. The challenge isn’t just about capturing cost savings. It’s about quantifying impact on talent retention, business agility, and capability building. Organizations shared approaches that start with mapping outcomes to strategic business goals, like reduced vacancy times for key roles and accelerated onboarding of global talent, rather than just tracking spend. One standout example was from Canada Pension Plan's case study, which worked with a consulting partner to rewrite policies aligned to their workforce vision and used data analytics to track improvements over time. This backward design, starting from what you want employees to achieve and then tailoring program elements accordingly allows you to demonstrate measurable business benefits. Collaboration also emerged as key to building strong relationships with HR, finance, and business stakeholders helps mobility leaders not only collect and interpret data but also sell the story internally. Concrete metrics like time-to-productivity, manager satisfaction, and employee engagement scores are foundational. More advanced programs might integrate cost avoidance calculations (e.g., comparing relocation costs vs. open positions) or quality-of-hire assessments. Ultimately, ROI is both a quantitative and qualitative exercise and one that demands ongoing measurement and storytelling. The more mobility teams can connect their efforts to business outcomes, the stronger their strategic role within organizations becomes. #GlobalMobility #MobilityROI #TalentRetention #CERC2025 #WorkforceStrategy #HRMetrics Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP, Renee Bissonnette, CRP

CERC Deep-Dive - Navigating Immigration Pain Points Immigration remains one of the most challenging parts of global mobility with complex policies, shifting regulations, and limited windows for permanent residency applications make it tough for employers and employees alike. At the 2025 Canadian Employee Relocation Council Conference, mobility professionals openly shared their biggest pain points and more importantly, practical solutions. A recurring theme was the need for mobility teams to move beyond reactive problem-solving. Many employers are stepping up to provide stronger and longer-term support for permanent residency applications, easing pressures on employees by proactively managing work permit renewals and exploring alternative pathways. Language training, especially French, surfaced as a valuable tool to boost immigration success rates, yet many programs are underutilized or overlooked. Peer discussions emphasized the power of partnership with HR, immigration specialists, and corporate leadership to help align processes early in the recruiting phase. Roadshows and internal education initiatives help key stakeholders understand when and how to involve mobility experts, reducing last-minute surprises and speeding up approvals. The message is clear: building a resilient, informed, and collaborative network is vital to overcome immigration hurdles. By sharing knowledge and resources widely, mobility teams can deliver smoother journeys for talent while helping their organizations navigate an increasingly complex immigration landscape. #GlobalMobility #ImmigrationSolutions #PolicyChallenges #CERC2025 #MobilityCommunity #CollaborationMatters Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP, Renee Bissonnette, CRP

CERC Deep-Dive - Technology in Mobility: More Than Automation Global mobility is experiencing a seismic shift, and nowhere was that clearer than at the Canadian Employee Relocation Council 2025 Conference. Technology is rapidly transforming how relocation and talent moves happen, but the message from leaders was unanimous that true transformation happens when digital tools free people to be more strategic and human. AI-driven copilots, workflow automation, and real-time tracking are helping smaller teams accomplish more with greater speed and accuracy. Many mobility programs now use platforms like SharePoint and virtual agents to reduce admin tasks and provide instant answers to employees, removing barriers and creating a smoother experience. However, the CERC community cautioned against seeing technology as a replacement for human expertise and empathy. Instead, automation must handle repetitive work and compliance, so experts can focus on customizing solutions, listening to unique needs, and guiding employees through complex, international moves. The employee experience remains a priority, whether that means using digital tools for self-service, managing global compliance, or responding with high-touch support for those who need it most. Adopting integrated systems and new tools also means mobility teams can use data insights to personalize policies, manage costs, flag compliance risks, and demonstrate their strategic business value. Leaders shared that the winning formula is a seamless blend of tech-driven convenience with authentic relationships. #GlobalMobility #TechTransformation #CERC2025 #EmployeeExperience #MobilityInnovation Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP, Renee Bissonnette, CRP

We've just released our latest trendpaper talking to Selling Mobility Internally, something we dove deeper into at this year's CERC conference held in Calgary a week or so back. Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Chris Roberts, Myrna Garnier CERC Relocation Specialist™, and Chris Lagerman all joined forces to talk to how we measure success in the global mobility business. Read on to hear our take on how we sell mobility to our clients, and various in-house stakeholders. Not on our subscribers list? Join here: https://lnkd.in/gXJQRG9F

CERC Conference Deep Dive - Finding Calm in Mobility’s Chaos through Story, Perspective, and Connection As the ‘stealth industry’ that enables critical global talent flows, global mobility remains resilient by fostering human connection and staying curious, even during chaos and market disruptions. Todd Hirsch’s opening keynote at the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) Conference offered powerful wisdom on how we can find calm amidst this chaos with three key takeaways; 1) Know Your Story: Who you are matters. Hirsch shared the Domino’s case study - facing near bankruptcy, they realized they didn’t just sell pizza, but convenience. By embracing their true mission and innovating boldly with technology, they became market leaders. For mobility teams, being able to clearly articulate your company’s story and purpose anchors decision-making and inspires confidence in uncertain times. 2) Shift Perspective: Just as wallpaper cleaner transformed into Play-Doh, when viewed differently, challenges in mobility often hide new opportunities. Whether that’s rethinking talent mobility amidst demographic shifts or adapting to emerging immigration complexities, fresh perspectives create innovation. 3) Prioritize Human Connection: Hirsch highlighted that economics ultimately boils down to human connection where a market is created when one person has what another needs. In an increasingly automated and remote world, genuine connection is a rare and valuable commodity. Mobility professionals can differentiate by fostering empathy and strong relationships with employees and stakeholders amidst change. Amid economic shifts, political complexities causing immigration upheaval, and climate pressures driving up insurance, anchoring work in clear purpose, creative problem-solving, and authentic human connection remains the best path to calm and success in global mobility. #GlobalMobility, #TalentMobility, #EmployeeRelocation, #MobilityInnovation, #HumanConnection, #MobilityStrategy, #SustainabilityInMobility, #FutureOfWork, #MobilityTechnology, #SproutGlobal Alisa Porter, Jennifer Browne, Renee Bissonnette, CRP

Yahoo! Last week, the Sprout team had the privilege of joining the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) Conference in Calgary as a Diamond Sponsor. Being surrounded by so many forward-thinking mobility professionals and corporate partners reinforced our belief that borders are truly just lines on a map. Real opportunity comes from supporting people at every step of their relocation journey, and Calgary was an incredible backdrop to showcase how Sprout is reimagining global mobility with a people-first focus. Our booth was buzzing with conversations about forging new partnerships on both the corporate side and within the wider mobility supply chain. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who took time to connect with us during the conference. At Sprout, we’re committed to challenging the status quo and delivering relocation experiences rooted in personalized care and innovation. Stay tuned for more stories as Sprout continues to help organizations, and their people, discover what’s possible. Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP

Content Series September: CERC Conference Deep Dive This month, we’re aligning our conversations with one of the biggest events in Canadian mobility: The Canadian Employee Relocation Council 2025 Conference. Over the coming weeks, we’ll spotlight the key themes and challenges being discussed—from workforce mobility trends and talent development, to the evolving role of relocation in supporting business priorities in Canada and globally. Whether you’re attending in person or following from afar, we’ll help you unpack the takeaways, highlight what matters most for mobility professionals, and share insights to bring back to your organizations. Stay tuned for thoughtful perspectives and practical takeaways as we dive into the conversations shaping the future of employee mobility. #CERC2025 #GlobalMobility #EmployeeRelocation #TalentMobility Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP

Selling Mobility Internally - Mobility Is Change Management First Global mobility is rarely resisted because of the policy - it’s resisted because of change. When you’re speaking to stakeholders, you’re not just explaining tax, immigration, or logistics. You’re helping leaders manage: - Department disruption from someone leaving - Budget reallocations they didn’t plan for - Operational risk in a new geography - Employee uncertainty about uprooting families The more you frame mobility as helping leaders navigate organizational change, not just filling forms and flights, the more credibility (and early involvement) you’ll earn. Practical strategies: - Build simple “what to expect” visuals for executives - Position yourself as a change partner, not an administrator - Create targets ROI metrics Mobility done well creates business continuity. #ChangeManagement, #LeadershipAlignment, #StrategicMobility Alisa Porter, eMBA, CPHR, CERP, Jennifer Browne,CRP,CGMP, Renee Bissonnette, CRP