How to Justify an Expat Assignment?

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Big_O

Newbie

Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Houston, TX USA
Status: Offline

Posted: Apr 09, 2007 - 11:07 PM
Post subject: How to Justify an Expat Assignment?

Hi All,

1st post, hopefully in the right place Wink

A little bit of background:
Long time business traveller to Shanghai, average 4-5 trips per year, staying 2-3 weeks each time. I work for the largest computer co. in the world (easy enough to guess), notebook division. I have been doing this since 2000 and would probably continue for the forseeable future. I am the only person in my particular job and would have to train a local replacement in the event I move to another career.

Now, the big question:
As part of my career development, my manager and director have agreed in principle to a 2-3yr relo to Shanghai. The last step is approval from the VP. What I am looking for is feedback in justifying such a contract to the VP. I already have been scouring the net for some info, but most is related to Expat contract discussion(s) rather than the business case justification.

Any input would be welcome! Thanks in advance!

Mon_Mon

Rocker

Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 662

Status: Offline

Posted: Apr 10, 2007 - 01:47 AM

I think the question is not how to justify but why the role need/have to be an expat role.
If u said that the duty could be dicharged with travelling of about 1/3-1/2 of the time which means there should be other work to occupy you at other times in your base town. If the co. put you to SH then does it mean they need to recruit someone else to do the job or u need to travel back in the reverse direction?
The cost of maintaining an expat is very high so it is only justified if it is necessary on the co.'s context.
Hope I don't discourage you too much but I think you may need to make a case that why the work need (but not better) to be done with a FT shanghai role.

Big_O

Newbie

Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Houston, TX USA
Status: Offline

Posted: Apr 10, 2007 - 02:10 AM

Not discouraged at all, thanks for the feedback!

There are quite a few reasons why the Expat position makes sense:

1. Career Development. 1 thing most Directors or higher have in common in my company is overseas work experience, primarily China.

2. Location. 80% of my supply base and peers are in SH, Suzhou, Songjiang, etc., thus the reason why I have to travel so often.

3. Transition Planning. My job will eventually be handed off to a local, requiring me to help find and train my replacement.

4. ROI. I have delivered consistant savings results to my group as a direct result of my travels. Future opportunities for more savings would be more likely if a full time spot was located in SH. Cost of the expat contract has been covered nearly 1000 times over by the $$$ I have delivered back to the company.

5. Coverage for my group. We have staff in the US, Taiwan and Singapore, with none in Shanghai and no support postions yet approved for local hire. With a re-arrangmement of my current work duties, I would also be a support for my groups' interests in Shanghai.

6. Upcoming projects and new product launches. Self Explanitory.