What are the fastest growing cities in the US?

Here are the top ten fastest growing cities in the United States:

1. Austin, TX
2. Dallas, TX
3. San Jose, CA
4. Houston, TX
5. Salt Lake City, UT
6. Raleigh, NC
7. Seattle, WA
8. San Francisco, CA
9. San Antonio, TX
10. Atlanta, GA

View slideshow with data on each city.

Why are some cities growing faster than others?

Forbes writes “Seven of the top 10 cities are in the South, supporting the idea that low taxes and inexpensive real estate are still drawing jobs and economic activity from other parts of the country.” In addition, 4 of the top 10 cities are in Texas which has no income tax and much lower property values than other states which makes it a popular landing spot for corporations. Also, corporations like that fact that Texas is centrally located in the United States and international airports in Houston and in the Dallas-Fort Worth area offer easy access to new markets in Latin America as well.

View the video of Joseph Morabito accepting his award.

Paragon Relocation was also honored in the highly commended category for Relocation Provider or Team of the Year for their implementation of a large scale, complex global relocation program.  Paragon was a single source solution to replace four separate global relocation service providers. In just three months, the implementation – involving more than 50 client Human Resources managers from all over the world – was complete. Logistically, client users were spread over 82 different countries. Financially, services were billed in 22 different currencies.  Paragon worked quickly and effectively with the client to bring synergy to the group and to bring all the pieces of the program together successfully.

Re:locate is a European-based publication that caters to the global mobility industry.  The annual awards gala was held on May 10, 2012 in London. For a complete list of all the Re:locate award winners view the press release.

Delays, Delays, Delays

The UK Border agency and customs department will increase security checks, so delays will start occurring three to four months before the opening of the Olympics.  Delays are specifically to be expected in VISA processing, household goods clearance and delivery, as shipments will be held longer in ports.  In addition, partial closure of London streets and access restrictions will force moving companies to deliver an increasing amount of shipments in a restricted number of hours per day.

Shortage of Properties and Price Increases

A shortage of temporary accommodations is to be expected, especially in the central London and nearby locations.  Because of limited supply of property and an increase in demand, temporary accommodations and long-term lease prices are expected to rise.  These are expected to rise anywhere from 12-25% during the summer months.  Most London realtors are reluctant to talk about short-term tenancies during the Olympics period.  This is because many properties are already booked (with many properties remaining empty until the games draw closer).  Many realtors cannot predict how many or what type of properties will become available for short rentals approaching the Olympics, or what the rental price may be.  However, as the games continue to draw closer, the costs will become increasingly higher.

Avoiding a Budget Increase

Corporations should consider alternatives such as delaying the assignment until after the summer season, to September at the earliest.  If temporary accommodations have not been booked in advance, it is a good idea for global mobility specialists to organize a home search trip before relocating the employee so that they can avoid the need for a serviced apartment.   This home search trip should absolutely not occur during the dates of the Olympics or shortly before or after.

Because of the challenges and unique situations the London Games present, communication is very crucial with relocating employees as well.  They should understand that they will need to be more flexible than usual as it relates to household goods delivery, homesearch time, and the location and costs of serviced apartments.

Summary

Be prepared.  London was awarded the Olympic Games years ago so there should be no surprise that the laws of supply and demand will have a profound effect during this time.  Educated pre-planning of how the “Olympic effect” will impact you and your employees, and communicating with suppliers to develop best strategies, will be worth the investment of time and focus, and will assist with maintaining optimal delivery and performance of your mobility program.

How to get access to elite or priority security lines at airports

There are several ways to get access to expedited security lines. The most common way is being invited to join by your airline because of frequent flyer status. However, there are other ways to get access through a couple of new programs announced by the TSA. For those that travel internationally several times a year they launched a program called Global Entry. Once accepted into Global Entry you can proceed to the expedited security lines. To get access to Global Entry you must apply through the Global Entry website, pay a $100 background check fee and interview with a TSA agent at an airport on their list near you. In addition, Platinum level and above American Express members can enroll for free (they are charged $100 and then $100 is credited to their account). Using expedited access can significantly reduce the amount time you are standing in line. In addition to getting expedited security access you can speed up your time at the airport by being mindful of TSA guidelines and using their recommended accessories.

What are TSA Approved Travel Accessories?

Here is a list of TSA approved accessories which will help you pass through the airport without issues:
TSA Approved Bag Locks
TSA Approved Laptop Bags which don’t require the laptop be taken out of the bag
And a long list of approved and not approved TSA items

What are your tips to help get through the airport faster? Let us know on facebook, twitter and linkedin!

Registration for the conference is free to first-time corporate HR attendees so make plans to be there.  Additionally, Paragon Relocation’s President, Craig Selders, will be speaking on leadership during the YP40 session on Thursday.  So get on down to Texas y’all!

For more expat resources check out some of the tools and resources we have posted in the past below.

More Tools, Sites, and Blog Posts for Expats

Interactive Tools to Compare Countries
How to Live the Good Life During an International Relocation
How to Deal with Culture Shock
The Best Social Media Tools for Corporate Relocation
Where are the happiest places to relocate to?

Let us know about your favorite tools and resources to use when living abroad on twitter, facebook and linkedin!

Soccer is especially popular in Europe and Latin America but is even growing in Asia and North America (the north american soccer league, Major League Soccer, has just surpassed attendance averages of both the NBA and the NHL becoming america’s third best attended sport). To enjoy the game it is important to explore the nuances of the game as compared to other games you are more familiar with. One major difference between soccer and many other sports is that there are very few stoppages of play, it is a very open free-flowing game. In addition, the game is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each (plus extra time). If the ball goes out-of-bounds the clock will continue running. While soccer players typically do a lot of running in a match (on average about 10 miles a game) often times games are known for being low scoring affairs where one team is trying to unlock the other team’s defense. The pressure of the match will continue to rise until a team scores and the crowd goes crazy.

Among the most watched soccer matches are often played in Europe, where clubs from different countries have the ability to attract the best players in the world with high paying contracts. For club teams the most anticipated competition is the UEFA Champions League where the best teams from each country face off against other teams in Europe.

One of the most important aspects of enjoying a soccer match is seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of the match. In the United States at sporting events it is common to hear the sounds of the crowd intermingled with power audio-visual effects provided by the stadium. However at soccer matches it is more common to hear the supporters sing in organized songs to support their teams. In some soccer environments you might even see or hear fireworks being set off to celebrate the exploits of a supporter’s team.

In addition to aspects of international soccer matches which are generally true, there are also nuances to how soccer is experienced in various countries throughout the world. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience a soccer match in Rome Italy between AS Roma and Udinese, in addition to a great match, during halftime we enjoyed the experience of seeing a full-blown espresso and panini stand in place of the typical concessions you would find in the states. So my advice is when in Rome, drink espresso at your soccer matches!

Soccer Resources

Basic Soccer Rules
FIFA International Soccer Organization
Soccer News, Scores, and Schedules

The ability to find the perfect place for someone relocating can be difficult, thankfully there are a lot of options to choose from to meet the needs of each person. Below we have listed the 15 largest global serviced apartment companies based on the number of locations and linked to their websites. Each company offers a different approach and even within each company from property to property there might be nuances that are a better match for a particular family.

Global Serviced Apartment suppliers by Location

Please let us know about your experience with a serviced apartment in the comments or on linkedin, facebook or twitter!

For the second year, employees picked up litter but this time the designated area was Paragon’s office plaza and surrounding area. On April 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., employees wearing volunteer t-shirts meticulously combed the area picking up approximately 10 bags of trash while generating immense satisfaction and sweat.

As we move into summer and begin planning those wonderful vacations, we examine a common ailment and some cures to combat the symptoms that can range from simply unpleasant to almost debilitating.  Most people who have traveled by airplane have experienced jet lag but few people understand why it occurs.

What is jet lag?

Jet lag is a medical condition known as desynchronosis; a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body’s circadian rhythms resulting from rapid long-distance travel on a jet airplane. Jet lag occurs when a body clock falls out of synchronization with the destination time. The body experiences daylight and darkness contrary to the rhythms to which it has grown accustomed; therefore, the body’s natural patterns are upset. Rhythms that dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and body temperature variations no longer correspond to the new environment. While the body realigns the rhythms and the new daily routine, it is “jet lagged.” NASA estimates that the body requires approximately one day per time zone to adjust its circadian rhythm.

Who suffers from jet lag?

Anyone can suffer from jet lag, regardless of how often they travel by plane or their age. However, it is more common in people over the age of 60 and thought to be less common in babies and children. The speed at which the body adjusts to the new schedule depends on the individual; some people may require several days to adjust to a new time zone, while others experience little disruption.

What are jet lag symptoms?

The symptoms of jet lag are different for everyone, and also depend on how many time zones you have crossed and in which direction you have traveled. Usually it makes you feel tired and low in energy during the day. It disturbs your sleep, so you may have trouble getting off to sleep, or wake up often at night or early in the morning. You might have difficulty concentrating, and be a bit clumsy or irritable because you are so tired. You may also have other symptoms, such as indigestion, altered bowel habits and low appetite, and feel generally unwell.

Natural ways to combat jet lag

Since the experience of jet lag varies among individuals, it is difficult to recommend one specific remedy. Gradual adjustment over the course of several days, while maintaining a regular sleep length of seven to eight hours should reduce fatigue. To avoid jet lag think ahead and synchronize your body clock before you travel. If you’re traveling east, try going to bed earlier for a couple of nights. If you’re traveling west, go to bed later.

The following suggestions can also help to reduce the effects of jet lag:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after the flight to avoid dehydration.
• Don’t drink lots of alcohol. The pressurized air in the airplane increases body dehydration substantially, and alcohol affects the body clock by not giving you a full and refreshing sleep.
• A short episode of moderately intense exercise may help reset your body clock after arrival.
• Try to fit in with the daily routine and activities of the new time zone as soon as possible – eat when they eat and sleep (or at least rest) when they sleep.
• When the goal is to catch-up with local time (vs. fall-back to), avoid afternoon naps and eat an early and carbohydrates-rich, low-protein dinner.
• As soon as you board your flight, adjust your watch to the destination time.
• If you arrive in the evening, try not to sleep too much on the plane so that you can go to bed when you arrive. And sleep as much as you can if your flight arrives in the morning, so you can stay awake through the day.
• Natural light can help your body clock adjust. If you traveled west, try to get more morning light after you arrive and avoid it in the afternoon. If you went east, seek afternoon light and avoid morning light.

Lastly, know yourself and plan your travel accordingly. Can you sleep on planes or not? If you can sleep soundly whilst you travel through the air, then schedule your flight to include an “overnight” trip which means one that arrives at your destination in the morning. If you can only snooze for a few moments, you should schedule a “daytime” flight that lands in the late afternoon or evening, at which time you’ll be so exhausted from a prolonged lack of sleep that you’ll be able to fall asleep at the right time.

Paragon recently announced the 2011 award winners. Employees were recognized for their outstanding customer service, cost savings initiatives, leadership and community involvement.

2011 President’s Award Winner – Marie Scott

The President’s Award is the highest honor an employee can receive at Paragon. To be eligible for this award, the employee must demonstrate a commitment to excellence by moving Paragon closer to our mission and our culture of success.

Marie Scott, Corporate Controller, was nominated for her outstanding work and leadership in the area of advancing our global billing capabilities. Scott led Paragon’s effort to respond to a client’s need for billing in 22 different currencies and to 89 billing points across the globe. The project was challenging to say the least as Scott had internal staffing challenges to overcome and her regular, full-time duties as comptroller to maintain. In the end, Marie accomplished the stated goals of the project and the client was delighted with the outcome. Through her diligent work, Marie underscored her commitment to advancing Paragon and the global reach of the organization while at the same time emphasizing her dedication and incredible work ethic. For these reasons, Marie Scott has been recognized as the 2011 President’s Award winner. In addition to a monetary bonus, Scott will receive an extra week of much earned vacation.

Congratulations to Marie and to the other deserving nominees including:

• Kevin Sheehan
• Stacey Bass
• Andre Rekers

2011 Paragon Community Service Award Winner – Ryan Hopkins

The Paragon Community Service Award was developed to recognize one employee who is dedicated to the last tenet in Paragon’s Core Values, which is:

Community Involvement – We demonstrate a caring attitude for our employees and the people we serve. We recognize that we are what we give back to our community. We feel a genuine need to help others is important to our success.

Ryan Hopkins, Underwriter for GenEquity Mortgage, was nominated for his tireless work with the victims of last year’s devastating tornado in Joplin, MS. Hopkins traveled to the storm ravaged area to distribute supplies and assist in the clean-up efforts. In addition, he led a Vacation Bible School in Honduras for three schools and an orphanage, while helping with the construction of another orphanage. Hopkins also serves meals at Solomon’s Porch, a ministry that helps feed and clothe the poor in inner city Dallas. For his outstanding dedication to helping those in need, Ryan Hopkins has been recognized as the 2011 Community Service award winner.

Congratulations to Ryan and the other deserving nominees including:

• Teresa Mahlberg
• Rick Calanni

2011 Paragon Service Award Winners

Many congratulations and thanks go to all our Consultants who earned the 2011 Service Award for having a 95% Satisfied average on all their surveys:

• Steve Ford (at 100%)
• Barbara Moskal
• Jessica Stroede
• Otis Lau
• Bonnie Chung
• Lisa Schmitt
• Leann Tantillo

Moving forward, Paragon has decided to award our Consultants twice a year for their service ratings to offer even more incentive to provide an extraordinary customer experience, one family at a time.

“Everyone at Paragon is delighted to bring Steve on board to provide an extraordinary financial experience to our clients and customers,” said Craig Selders, President, Paragon Relocation. “Steve brings decades of client accounting and global compensation knowledge and education to Paragon.”

Prior to joining Paragon, Williams previously worked for Cartus and Primacy as Director, Expense Services. In his most recent role, Williams managed a team handling new client implementations as well as providing on-going support for existing corporate clients. His experience also includes managing Solomon and Equus software applications.

Williams has more than 20 years of industry experience and holds a Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designation from Worldwide ERC^®.

“Susan’s industry experience and knowledge will undoubtedly make an immediate and substantial impact on our company,” said Craig Selders, President, Paragon Relocation.

Prior to joining Paragon, Myers previously worked for Prudential Relocation as Global Compensation Manager. During her time at Prudential, Myers significantly expanded the Compensation Service offerings, building a global center of excellence in the Phoenix office. During her tenure, Myers’ responsibilities also included oversight of the cost management function for key clients. She also led the financial operations of Liquid Production as their controller.

Myers holds a bachelor of science in Accounting and an MBA both from the University of Phoenix.  She has also received the Global Mobility Specialist (GMS) designation from Worldwide ERC^®.

In keeping with this thinking, we have added additional talent and resources at Paragon in Operations, Client Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Information Technology Applications and Network Solutions to allow us to provide extraordinary services. We have refocused our efforts on training for our Relocation and International Assignment Consultants to make sure they are well prepared to do their jobs. PRISM 2.0, our new automated operating system, is now fully in place for all existing and new clients, allowing for more functionality related to client and customer access to our system and reporting capabilities. We are in the process of completing a major upgrade of our computers at Paragon in preparation for more video connectivity. We continue to add Paragon boots on the ground as we will shortly add additional service capabilities in Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and China.

We are also developing relocation services for smaller, mid-tier companies – those clients with revenues of $/€10 million to $/€1 billion. These particular clients are more likely to implement more of a flexible benefits approach, rather than fixed plans requiring a different service mindset. Shortly, GenEquity, our national mortgage company will receive FHA approval, which will allow us to provide retail, in addition to the corporate mortgages we already provide. We will be providing retail mortgages this year in Dallas, Texas with a full expectation of growing into other markets in the U.S. Finally, we will begin offering PGR Home Caregiver services to senior citizens in the Dallas metroplex market in recognition of the 75 million Baby Boomers that began turning 65 years old at a rate of 10,000 a day beginning in January 2012. These services are designed to allow senior citizens to remain in their homes, living independently, as long as possible. Once this service is perfected in the Dallas market, we will go national.

The only thing I can say for certain is that change at Paragon is inevitable as we respond to our clients and customers around the world. However, when all is said and done, our mission to provide an extraordinary customer experience, one family at a time, remains constant for all our businesses. We know what we have to do to be successful. Our mission statement is very clear.

Paragon Relocation is excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for two awards in the upcoming Re:locate Awards.  Paragon’s CEO, Joseph Morabito, has been nominated and shortlisted for Relocation Personality of the Year for his years of exemplary leadership and service to the relocation industry.  Additionally, a select group of Paragon Relocation employees, who worked on a major client implementation encompassing more than 50 individual HR managers spread out over 20 different countries, is also shortlisted for Relocation Team of the Year.  We are honored and excited to be considered for these prestigious awards and wish all of our fellow nominees good luck!

Paragon Relocation’s customer reviews:

Paragon Relocation enjoys making raving fans out of their customers. Let us know if you have any other stories where you have received great customer service from Paragon Relocation!

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