Real-life mobility challenges test even the most established brands. Ask any HR manager who’s faced a cross-border move gone wrong. Or a team leader who’s watched talent disengage, not because of the work, but because their relocation support stumbled at a critical moment. These experiences remind us: the relocation process isn’t just “moving people.” It’s about empowering lives, sustaining business momentum, and making every stakeholder feel valued along the way.
As the world of work evolves, the expectations of both employees and employers are rising fast. Companies need agile partners who deliver seamless, data-driven experiences with empathy at the core. In this context, Cartus—now celebrating its 70th anniversary—offers a timely lesson in resilience, reinvention, and what it takes to remain relevant in the age of digital transformation.
Pioneering Corporate Relocation: A Quick Look Back
Seventy years ago, the concept of managed corporate relocation was still novel. Cartus didn’t just join the market; it helped shape the very industry. Early on, Cartus recognized the need for reliable, end-to-end mobility services as organizations expanded globally and competition for talent intensified.
Over the decades, Cartus became synonymous with mobility excellence, serving a client base that includes nearly one-third of the Fortune 100. As the mobility landscape changed—with remote work, complex compliance, and changing employee expectations—Cartus adapted, using each disruption as an opportunity to lead.
Shaping the Future: Not Just Moving, But Advancing Business
Today, the expectations for relocation services are clear: organizations want more than logistics. They want a partner that moves business forward. According to Matt Tebbe, President and CEO of Cartus,
“Mobility is no longer just about moving people; it’s about moving business forward. At 70, we’re more agile, more visionary, and more client-focused than ever.”
This mindset has driven the recent evolution at Cartus. In just the last year, the company on-boarded 25 new clients and expanded offerings for over 100 current clients—including scores of Fortune 500 organizations. These numbers aren’t just milestones; they reflect the growing recognition of mobility as a strategic, not just operational, lever.
Innovation as a Core Value
Staying ahead in relocation means reimagining the tools and technologies that power each move. Cartus has invested heavily in innovation, launching new solutions that address persistent, real-world challenges:
- Global, Automated Tax Engine (GATE): Relocation taxes are complex, with rules varying by country and circumstance. GATE enables seamless compensation support and tax compliance, helping both employers and employees avoid costly missteps.
- Data Insights Dashboard: Real-time data empowers companies to make faster, smarter decisions. Cartus’ dashboard provides granular insights across the entire mobility program, uncovering savings, compliance risks, and program opportunities in real time.
- Streamlined Implementation: By simplifying onboarding, Cartus reduces friction for new clients. Early feedback shows accelerated deployment, faster ROI, and improved stakeholder satisfaction.
- ExpatRide Partnership: Transportation is a critical part of employee experience. The new Cartus-ExpatRide service provides global transportation options—including eco-friendly vehicles—helping relocating employees land smoothly and sustainably.
- Move for Hunger Collaboration: Beyond business, Cartus looks outward. Through its partnership with Move for Hunger, Cartus clients and relocating employees can support food insecurity causes by donating surplus food during moves—demonstrating a commitment to corporate social impact.
The Human Factor: Experience Is Everything
Despite technological leaps, successful relocation still hinges on empathy, communication, and anticipating employees’ lived realities. Research by Deloitte and the Worldwide ERC repeatedly highlights that the top pain points in mobility aren’t only logistical—they’re emotional:
- Uncertainty about housing and schools.
- Lack of clarity on tax and compliance requirements.
- Cultural integration stress.
- Disconnected, “one-size-fits-all” support.
Cartus addresses these with high-touch guidance that blends digital convenience and human care. For EX leaders, this is the gold standard: combine scalable processes with personalized support that makes relocating staff feel uniquely valued.
A recent case study underscores this approach. When a Fortune 500 technology firm expanded its Asian operations, it tapped Cartus to navigate not only the move but also the cultural onboarding of families. The result? Reduced attrition, faster time-to-productivity, and positive feedback from both executives and their families. This proves business impact and employee well-being go hand in hand.
Strategic Growth Amid Shifting Employer Expectations
As talent mobility becomes more fluid, organizations require relocation partners with the scale and flexibility to respond proactively. Cartus leverages the resources of its parent company, Anywhere Real Estate Inc., enhancing development and client value without sacrificing independence or agility.
This strategic backing means Cartus can consistently reinvest in technology, compliance, and sustainability—areas that are becoming non-negotiables for procurement teams and HR buyers. In fact, Gartner’s HR Research outlines that for 83% of large organizations, “mobility partner technology” is now a top selection criterion—a trend Cartus is ideally positioned to serve.
Data-Driven Insights for Smarter CX and EX
The launch of Cartus’ Data Insights Dashboard isn’t just incremental—it signals a shift toward true data-driven program management. By aggregating client data from hundreds of programs, Cartus enables organizations to benchmark themselves, identify hidden inefficiencies, and model the impact of program tweaks in real time.
For CX and EX leaders, this is transformative. Imagine demonstrating to the C-suite—in concrete terms—how improvements in the relocation journey translate to better retention, faster ramp-up times, and higher employee engagement.
A major financial services client used these insights to redesign its policy for family support, ultimately saving $2M annually while achieving a 15% boost in post-relocation employee satisfaction scores. Stories like these illustrate the power of pairing data with action.
Cartus Thought Leadership: Setting Industry Standards
Thought leadership is a hallmark of the Cartus brand. The company actively shapes global mobility discourse, publishing white papers, hosting webinars, and collaborating with industry bodies to set ethical and operational standards. Within the last year, Cartus experts have guided webinars on topics like sustainability in mobility, the rise of eco-friendly relocations, and the growing call for diversity and inclusion in global assignments.
This commitment ensures clients—whether Fortune 100s or mid-size firms—benefit from a knowledge base that blends practical wisdom with forward-looking insight.
Sustainability, DEI, and the Social Side of Mobility
Modern mobility is about more than the bottom line. Cartus’ recent innovations reflect larger trends toward environmental stewardship and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Through the ExpatRide partnership, clients can select green transportation options, aligning relocation programs with broader sustainability goals. Meanwhile, flexible program design enables tailored solutions that support the unique needs of diverse employee populations—critical for organizations prioritizing DEI.
Surveys show programs with visible sustainability and DEI components report higher employee engagement, brand reputation, and overall assignment success rates.
Practical Takeaways for CX and EX Professionals
Cartus’ 70-year journey offers lessons for anyone seeking to build an enduring, future-focused relocation strategy:
- Invest in Innovation: Modernize tech infrastructure to deliver seamless, personalized experiences at scale.
- Build Data Fluency: Leverage analytics to continuously improve program outcomes and demonstrate CX/EX ROI.
- Prioritize Human Touch: Technology’s power grows when paired with empathetic, context-rich support for employees.
- Commit to Social Impact: Embedding sustainability and DEI in mobility programs enhances both brand value and real-world outcomes.
- Choose Agile Partners: The speed of change is only increasing—a provider with a “growth mindset” wins.
As Cartus enters its eighth decade, the message is clear: Relocation today is about moving with purpose, powered by insight and guided by empathy. For organizations that treat mobility as a strategic advantage—not just an operational requirement—the future is full of possibility.
