Global Mobility in a Virtual World: Successfully Adapting to a New Reality

As the global workforce quickly adapts to the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19, “Virtual Assignments” are proving to be successful for many global organizations. While working remotely can benefit both businesses and their employees, there are many details to consider. From providing employees with the best tools for success to measuring performance goals under unique circumstances, Cartus' latest Mobility Insights, Global Mobility in a Virtual World, explores the logistics behind virtual assignments that are intricate and critical to developing a successful remote environment.

From an employee standpoint, adjusting to a new way of life has proven for some to be daunting, inspiring, or somewhere in between. Regardless of our individual standing within this spectrum, we have all encountered the need for agility and open-mindedness in order to adjust to a new way of living and working during this quickly evolving global situation.

Flexibility Leads to Success

Flexibility from both businesses and employees can help tackle issues such as employees being stranded from home, difficulties reaching a host, and uncertainty (and anxiety) surrounding the next steps of an employee’s career. As we find ourselves navigating a new version of work life through unexpected virtual assignment, it is in our best interest to learn how to communicate better within our companies. Cultural and linguistic communications are often more fluid in a face-to-face work environment; within the virtual context, we must overcome culture and language barriers in order to continue to work together effectively.

Consider Culture and Language

Many employees are thriving in a virtual work environment, proving it is possible to acclimate and to transition seamlessly into managing their career from a distance. As companies start to see the benefits and productivity achieved through virtual assignments, the possibility of remaining in this environment—which focuses on health and safety while decreasing cost—is attractive to many employers.

Be sure to take a look at Cartus' latest Mobility Insights, Global Mobility in a Virtual World, to learn more about virtual assignments and to explore some of the critical components of creating a virtual work environment within your organization.