WDGC recognizes the sensitive and complex nature of relocating a corporate headquarters. We view this corporate site selection process as, not only a data-driven science, but also an art fine-tuned over four decades of working with the largest and most successful companies in the world.
expertise in managing headquarters Relocation
The first step in the headquarters relocation decision-making process is the establishment of a comprehensive project framework tailored to each client’s individual objectives and constraints. WDGC will integrate existing corporate strategies into our process, or if requested will assist in the development of HR and location strategy from the top down. WDGC facilitates this corporate site selection process through a streamlined questionnaire which defines knowns while provoking thought regarding the unknowns. Sample RFI questions include:
- Why consider a move? Which strategic initiatives would the move help support?
- What constitutes HQ operations (C-suite, C-suite plus, all front and back office operations)?
- Are there any geographic constraints/preferences relative to a possible move?
- Should a local (or short-distance) move be considered?
- What is your tolerance for people loss (attrition), especially among critical positions?
- When would be an optimal time to move (current lease expiration, etc.)?
Relocation Feasibility
Human Resource Impacts
WDGC’s Employee Action Model predicts each employee’s decision to (a) Relocate, (b) Commute – if local, or (c) Attrit/Retire, when faced with a relocation offer. If a local move is considered, WDGC’s Commute Impact Model predicts multi-modal door-to-door travel times under multiple location scenarios. Exposure to extreme traffic delays also assessed.
Financial Impacts
WDGC estimates all hard costs associated with a corporate HQ relocation including: One-Time Costs, Recurring Costs, and Economic Incentives Offsets. The resulting 10-year cash flow table can be used for board/committee approvals, project budgeting, and leverage during the incentives negotiation process. Cost savings/penalties are often measured against the Business-as-Usual case.
Qualitative Impacts
WDGC relies on decades of experience to effectively analyze priority qualitative factors including: Customer Proximity, Industry Growth, R&D Interface, and Affecting Internal Change.
Should a ‘go’ decision be made, the next challenge involves where?
Among the factors that most influence location selection for corporate headquarters are:
- Talent Pool Depth & Breadth
- National recruiting appeal
- Global air service
- Quality-of-life/Cost-of-living
- Available Class A office space
- Taxation/Business Environment
- Economic Incentives
We're Here to Help
WDGC stands ready to guide you through the alignment process to ensure that the overall site selection process advances your business objectives. Our role is flexible, we can either lead to the study team or provide selected expertise (e.g., labor market metrics) as a dedicated team member.