I found myself sharing time at The RSA with Tom Matchett AKA The London Storyteller discussing what was the most valuable commodity we have in business today. 

Because of our surroundings talks led to a watchmaker who lived in the 16th Century called John Harrison’s.

You see, before the World of Global Mobility Professionals and relocations experts Mr Harrison invented a device that revolutionised international trade and productivity - This invention was the H4 sea watch.

This unique timepiece enabled accurate global navigation and provided a competitive edge in maritime exploration for the British which led to their eventual global dominance. 

On a more human level, it brought peace of mind to those intrepid explorers and pioneers because they could plan, discover and embrace new horizons.

The same golden principle of the relationship between time, knowledge and guidance is still true today. 

As any GM professional knows, its difficult for people to acclimatise to different surroundings but if done successfully there are many rewards in making an unfamiliar place more familiar.... 

...And lets be honest relocation never ends with a change in view from an office window.  Discovering a new place should be enriching, inspiring and personalised.  

In my short experience with Global Mobility the focus appears to be on operations and processes as you'd expect to relocate a person efficiently and effectively - But what of the richness of different cultural and information led experiences?

Big cities such as London can be a cold, isolating places that unaided can take many years to feel connected with.  This sort of environment and the impact that it has upon life satisfaction can be corrosive to a persons prospects in performing at their peak on a sustainable long term basis.

I was therefore pleased to spend some time with Tom who's leading the way in London with this kind of 'get-to-know' private cultural experiences in London. ....And the conclusion of our discussion on the most valuable commodity of all?

Well of course its time - but more importantly how that times is spent in providing people with the best start in their new surroundings.  

I'm sure I've missed some crucial ways you already make your people feel familiar and comfortable in their new surroundings - So, please share them here the more unusual the better.