Navigating Talent Mobility In A Geopolitical Storm

How Companies Are Adapting

Economic and political disruptions around the globe are shaking the foundation of traditional talent mobility. From rising tariffs to shifting immigration policies, companies must now think smarter, act faster, and stay agile.

Sirva’s Hannah Richardson, Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Services and WERC Service Provider Advisory Council member, recently wrote an article for WERC, When Geopolitics Disrupt Talent Flow: How Companies Are Adapting, discussing how complex economic, geopolitical, and workforce dynamics are reshaping global talent mobility and how companies are adapting. Following are a few of the key highlights from the article.

What's Changing?

Trade tensions and increasing tariffs are cutting into profit margins, prompting organizations to localize operations and lean into nearshoring. At the same time, companies are investing in local workforce development and leveraging AI-driven analytics to forecast needs and optimize deployment.

New Mobility, Smarter Strategies Hybrid work and gig economy models may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for long-term relocations while still requiring tailored relocation support. Companies are revisiting international assignment benefits, using tax strategies to stretch budgets, and adopting flexible, project-based work setups.

Global Talent, Local Challenges Immigration policies remain in flux, influenced by elections and protectionist sentiment. To stay ahead, organizations are investing in scenario planning and compliance infrastructure to mitigate risks and keep their talent pipelines strong.

Resilience Is Key As demographics shift and the “era of youth scarcity” begins, tapping into diverse global talent is essential. The interplay between economic, political, and workforce factors highlights the need for companies to balance economic realities with human-centric approaches. To learn more, read the full article on WERC’s website.

Ready to build resilient strategies in an increasingly complex global economy? Contact Sirva’s Global Advisory Services team at globaladvisory@sirva.com to learn more.

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