FIRST impressions are everything, and there is a whole industry based on making sure at least one type of corporate visitor is made to feel at home in Perth, almost as soon as they land.
FIRST impressions are everything, and there is a whole industry based on making sure at least one type of corporate visitor is made to feel at home in Perth, almost as soon as they land.
Relocation experts greet an estimated 60 families arriving in WA every month, showing them around Perth, finding them a place to live and generally ensuring they settle in as quickly as possible.
For the companies moving their employees around Australia or the world, making sure their important staff are comfortable in their new home is all about getting the best out of their workforce.
Many of the people being relocated are senior management, forced to live in a foreign city for extended periods of time because of the particular skills they have.
For the emotional business of relocating such important staff, companies are increasingly using specialist service providers to smooth the transition.
Relocation Resources managing director Kim Farley believes the role of her consultants is vital, and being recognised as such by the corporate world more often these days.
“Too often families come out and if they don’t have that first buoyant week it can go wrong,” Ms Farley said.
Ms Farley said her consultants had to be able to deal smoothly with all the problems associated with travel and moving house combined.
“They are hand-picked people with the knowledge and experience to make families feel at home and the patience to deal with a car load of children.”
In Perth, relocation experts are largely associated with the resources industry, which has made the past year or two difficult.
But renewed oil and gas activity is expected to create an influx of expatriate employees to Perth and most firms are gearing up for a more buoyant year.
Relocations West principal Gaye McLeod said evidence of an upturn was definitely there.
“2000 was a dreadful year because the resources industry was down, the explorers were not here and that was reflected in the rental market,” Ms McLeod said.
“I am seeing signs that things will change.”
“We are seeing big movements in other areas particularly among producers, even in non-resources firms like the legal sector.”
She said Perth was very competitive, with about twice as many firms as her sibling office in Brisbane competes against in a similar sized marketplace.
About 60 per cent of Relocations West’s work involves people who buy the property they live in which is a preference for some corporations.
“They (the companies) have a policy which encourages people to put down roots.”
For many expats, the introduction to Perth helps form a bond with the city which is never broken.
Ms Farley said many people she has relocated have bought property in Perth with a view to staying or retiring here, having tasted a life that they want to retain.
Many of these people opt for the northern beach suburbs around Sorrento and Hillarys.
“These suburbs are an absolute joy for people coming from high density places and are used to commuting for a long-time.”
Also popular is the western corridor which is close to the majority of private schools, an important factor when many companies offer to pay for the tuition of an employees children.
Ms Farley said the difficulty of enrolling children in these private schools will be reduced by the expected opening of a new international school in part of City Beach High School which will offer boarding facilities for at least 200 students.
Relocation experts greet an estimated 60 families arriving in WA every month, showing them around Perth, finding them a place to live and generally ensuring they settle in as quickly as possible.
For the companies moving their employees around Australia or the world, making sure their important staff are comfortable in their new home is all about getting the best out of their workforce.
Many of the people being relocated are senior management, forced to live in a foreign city for extended periods of time because of the particular skills they have.
For the emotional business of relocating such important staff, companies are increasingly using specialist service providers to smooth the transition.
Relocation Resources managing director Kim Farley believes the role of her consultants is vital, and being recognised as such by the corporate world more often these days.
“Too often families come out and if they don’t have that first buoyant week it can go wrong,” Ms Farley said.
Ms Farley said her consultants had to be able to deal smoothly with all the problems associated with travel and moving house combined.
“They are hand-picked people with the knowledge and experience to make families feel at home and the patience to deal with a car load of children.”
In Perth, relocation experts are largely associated with the resources industry, which has made the past year or two difficult.
But renewed oil and gas activity is expected to create an influx of expatriate employees to Perth and most firms are gearing up for a more buoyant year.
Relocations West principal Gaye McLeod said evidence of an upturn was definitely there.
“2000 was a dreadful year because the resources industry was down, the explorers were not here and that was reflected in the rental market,” Ms McLeod said.
“I am seeing signs that things will change.”
“We are seeing big movements in other areas particularly among producers, even in non-resources firms like the legal sector.”
She said Perth was very competitive, with about twice as many firms as her sibling office in Brisbane competes against in a similar sized marketplace.
About 60 per cent of Relocations West’s work involves people who buy the property they live in which is a preference for some corporations.
“They (the companies) have a policy which encourages people to put down roots.”
For many expats, the introduction to Perth helps form a bond with the city which is never broken.
Ms Farley said many people she has relocated have bought property in Perth with a view to staying or retiring here, having tasted a life that they want to retain.
Many of these people opt for the northern beach suburbs around Sorrento and Hillarys.
“These suburbs are an absolute joy for people coming from high density places and are used to commuting for a long-time.”
Also popular is the western corridor which is close to the majority of private schools, an important factor when many companies offer to pay for the tuition of an employees children.
Ms Farley said the difficulty of enrolling children in these private schools will be reduced by the expected opening of a new international school in part of City Beach High School which will offer boarding facilities for at least 200 students.
