Susan Schneider’s Blog

The Other Side of the World

Well technically, from the states it is just about the halfway point. The place I am referring to is China. I spent the last week in Shanghai, a city I fondly describe as New York on steroids. I attended the APAC Mobility Conference. This was my second time to China and during both experiences, I have found myself in awe of the energy, the amount of people, and the growth. I stayed at the same hotel I did last year and was amazed I was looking at several high-rise buildings that had been built in the time that I was gone. I laugh a bit to myself at the Chinese ability to create a metropolis in just over a decade, where in the states we might take that long to build a freeway. What have they figured out that we cannot?

Besides being half a globe away from home, the conversations in China are a 180-degree shift from those taking place in the states. This country is experiencing such rapid economic growth that their biggest issue is being able to fill their talent pool with skilled workers. With a 25 percent attrition rate, executive and mid-level managers are in high demand and short supply. Some companies are aggressively poaching employees from each other. Spending time among the 1.3 billion people, you wonder how they could ever have a shortage of talent. But I suppose that is the difference; talent versus people. Couple that with pricey and difficult to find housing, major language barriers, and worse than Los Angeles pollution, and you have some major challenges in recruiting non-Chinese employees.

Even with all of this said however, I have to tell you, I would go back for another visit in a heartbeat.

The “Green Team”

I will admit I am not a very “green” person or at least relatively speaking. I am good about recycling at home, separating the glass and plastics, etc. and I have even started to receive my newspaper online but that is probably the extent of it. Mind you, not because it’s not a good idea, I just haven’t passionately jumped on the bandwagon. However, I have to say, I really appreciate those who have.

In one of our employee surveys last year (see my previous post on Annual Check up Part II), there were a few comments by employees who felt we were not doing a good enough job of recycling in the office. Now I suppose I could have shrugged this off and celebrated the fact that if this was their one discontent with the company we were doing just fine, but deep down I knew if they cared enough to write it down, this was important. And so, without much time wasted, we started a new group in our office called “The Green Team.”

I don’t think we are to the point where we can call ourselves a Green Company, but we are making strides, and I think we all sleep a little better for it. Not only have we opened the door to new ideas on saving energy and the planet, but we have also given those who hold a high value on being green an outlet. This is just one more thing that has taught us how the little steps can make a difference. Once again, I am reminded how taking the time to listen to our employees and empowering them, really improves our surroundings and our company.

The Victory Lap

Our company had the pleasure of hosting a Midwest Executive Summit last week. It was a great day full of engaging speakers and lively conversation, most of which centered on the challenges in the real estate market, employees declining moves due to lack of equity, and the future of appraisals. I have to say there is nothing better than watching those in charge of their corporate relocation program seeking to find any solutions that will make their employees feel informed and supported throughout their relocation process.

The highlight of my day, however, was the opening speaker, Cris Collie, Executive VP of Worldwide ERCâ. For those of you familiar with him, you know he will be retiring this year. As a member of the relocation community, I know that I speak for myself and others when I say that we have been blessed for over 36 years with an incredible person who has taken the word leadership to a whole new level.

So, here Cris is, on his final victory lap with a little over 10 months to go. When you speak with him, you immediately realize his schedule is incredibly full as he takes the time to fly from coast to coast and around the world, sharing his thoughts on the past and the future of relocation. This year will not be without its challenges as we move forward to find Cris’ successor. It will undoubtedly be difficult to say goodbye, but we can all rest assured that under his leadership, the foundation of our organization is solid and there are a host of wonderful people ready to forge ahead into the next 36 years.

Be Present

I was asked one day “how do you juggle your career and raising a family?” My answer was and still is, “be present.” Now, I am not saying this is the answer for everyone, but it definitely works for me. You see, we all have too many things coming at us. And if you are like me, you probably have brought on a lot of those things yourself by volunteering for this or that, feeling like you can’t delegate, wanting to control your environment, etc. Being present is not about foregoing your future or throwing out the inevitable task list. It is really about changing your thinking.

Someone once told me that “worrying” is a waste of emotions because the outcome is inevitable. Isn’t that the truth? I realize I can choose to spend my time worrying about tomorrow, next week, or even next month, but it really isn’t going to help me through today. Quite frankly, it drains all the positive energy right out of me. The fact is, I have to take each day, one at a time. All I can do is give my best to what is at hand. If I stay present, I find that I can handle a lot more. I have clarity in my thoughts, and I am not crippled by the weight (or proposed weight) of the tasks in the future.