Mission Statement

Mission Statement

To spread knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding corporate mobility and to enhance industry performance standards by communication and education. For full statutes click here.

What are relocation services ?

Relocation services is the term used to describe the support given to employees to help them physically move to and settle in a new location to which they are being transferred. There are many different situations leading to the decision to relocate an employee. Beyond the traditional expatriation, today we are seeing more and more cross border hires, localisations and short term assignments as businesses strive to respond cost-efficiently to changing business needs. Whatever the reason relocations occur, it is undeniable that they are of significant strategic importance to the organizations initiating them; whether they are driven by the need to transfer know-how from a headquarter to a subsidiary, the necessity to set up a presence in a new market, or lead a short-term project necessitating the presence of specialists in a specific region.

Business needs are such today that it is imperative for a relocated employee to be at maximum productivity as soon as possible, and this is or should be at the top of any organization's priorities. Relocation is about people and their unique needs and personal situations. If these are not addressed adequately, at the end of the day, organizations are not optimising their return on investment.

Services

HR Consulting
Site selection/Pre-departure planning
Visa/work permit Administration
Property Management
Pre-Move Orientation
Home Finding and Settling-in Services
Ongoing Destination Support
Language and Cross-Cultural Training
Career Partner Assistance
Expatriate Expense Management
Repatriation Assistance

Aims and objectives of the Association

Promote the concept of relocation
Promote the highest level of professionalism and service
Encourage its members to undertake professional training dispensed by the European Academy of Relocation Professionals, EARP
Serve as a link between professional associations, partners and clients
Track industry trends and disseminate information collated to its members
Be the Swiss regional representative of EuRA (the European Relocation Association)

Activities of the Association

Provision of support and advice for relocation professionals
Provision of training for members and HR Managers involved with relocation agencies
Conferences to provide a forum for the exchange of industry information, training, etc.
Publication of industry information both internally and externally
Creation, by lobbying and all other means, of a legal framework within which the Swiss Relocation professionals can grow and develop
Establishment of a 'think tank' for future development of the industry
Provision of advice to local and federal authorities on local infrastructure needs to maintain Switzerland’s attractiveness as a destination for multinationals and their employees.


	NEWS

	Swiss relocation professionals form own body signaling growing importance of relocation industry in europe.

	Geneva, October, 2003 "Anne-Claude Lambelet, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Geneva-based relocation company PME Group Associates announced today that relocation professionals in Switzerland have formed their own association. "Our industry is growing to serve the needs of an unprecedented march towards geographic mobility".
	October, 2003 Country Specific session on Switzerland given at ERC Global Workforce Symposium in Atlanta, October 2003. To download, Mention of the creation of SARA has been secured in the German part of Persorama magazine of autumn 2003, to read,
	March, 2004 "First Swiss Representative to obtain the European Association of Relocation Professionals (EARP) first level qualification - congratulations to Patricia Owens, Managing Partner of Geneva Relocation!" Since March 2004, you can find SARA's website link on www.geneva.ch April, 2004 "SARA organizes regional meetings with relocation professionals twice a year. The first luncheon meeting will take place on Friday April 2nd 2004 from 11.15am to 2.00pm in the Hotel Schweizerhof, Bahnofplatz 7, Zurich. For further information, please contact info@sara-relocation.com." June, 2004 Article about Sabine Baerlocher in "Market Magazine".


	Membership

	SARA membership qualification is stringent and provides a guarantee of the quality and professionalism of its members. This in turn will be an element of added value both for companies already based in Switzerland or for those companies who may be consulting our services as they envisage relocating a business entity in our country. Key players of the Relocation Services domain in Switzerland have all joined this initiative. All members are required to abide by the Association's Code of Conduct. Associate Membership is also open to HR employees of Swiss Corporations to deal with relocation issues. For full membership list click here The association will join the other relocation associations in the UK (ARA) www.relocationagents.com, France (SNPRM) www.relocation-France.org, Belgium (ABRA) www.abra-relocation.com, and the pan-European body The European Relocation Association (EuRA) which recently implemented a European certification for relocation professionals under the auspices of the newly formed European Academy of Relocation Professionals, (EARP).