A request for proposal (RFP) is one of the most common ways enterprise companies do business, and it’s no different when it comes to finding a relocation management company (RMC) to handle your employee mobility needs. However, the changing landscape of the relocation industry, (due to new legislation and innovation) has made many standard relocation RFP questions outdated.
Often times, when it’s time to go to RFP, HR and mobility professionals will recycle their old RFP and send it out. However, it’s important to ask yourself: would you buy a smartphone based on recommendations from 10 years ago? Or even 2 years ago? It’s likely the answer is no.
The same should be true with relocation service partners. While it’s definitely easier to recycle old relocation RFPs, you risk overlooking innovation and change that has happened in the industry.
That’s why, when your company starts the relocation RFP process, it’s important you craft the questions with a fresh perspective—otherwise you may miss an opportunity to remain on trend with the industry, reduce costs, or keep up with your competitors.
If you have little experience with the relocation RFP process, or even if this is your 6th time writing one, you should include the following questions in your next RFP.
There are many things to consider when evaluating a relocation partner. However, UrbanBound has compiled the 3 questions you need to include in your next relocation RFP.
Describe, in detail, the user experience and functionality of your company’s relocation software for transferees and employers. Please attach screenshots and be prepared to give a live demonstration of your software.
Why It’s Important
Many traditional RMCs will say that they have the technology to support the relocation process. In fact, the majority of RMCs have some sort of online portal that employees can log into. However, this is where the functionality falls short. These portals rarely have real-time data. Report customization is not an option, and employers have very little insight into how their employees’ relocations are progressing.
If an RMC is willing to provide you with a live demonstration of the software, be sure to ask about specific employer reports and find out if the RMC has to export the reports to an Excel file for you, or if they exist inside the software for you to access at any time.
Additionally, you’ll want to determine how the relocation technology helps with the employee experience. Can employees book moving services, read content and education in the software? Or is all of that done through email and phone calls? You’ll want to look for an interactive experience that drives your relocating employees through the process.
Then, after you receive a live demo, don’t be afraid to ask for a sandbox environment, where you can test out the software yourself, and see how user-friendly it actually is.
Please explain your supply chain. How do you make decisions about what suppliers to use in your network?
Why It’s Important
If you are a seasoned RFP writer in the relocation industry, you may be familiar with this question. However, it’s important to look at this question with a fresh perspective and review what kind of answer you should be looking for. Many relocation management companies own downstream suppliers. (Think van lines, realtors and temporary housing).
If an RMC owns or is owned by relocation supplier, it means they will likely use that supplier for most relocations—whether it’s appropriate or cost-effective for that move. If an RMC has a personal stake in certain suppliers, there may be a conflict of interest.
You want to look for a relocation partner that builds their supplier network around you and your employees’ individual needs—not theirs. Many times, RMCs will make the decision about which supplier to use based on the commission they will make from the referral. If an RMC consistently chooses the more expensive option, this can greatly drive up the overall cost of the relocation.