Benivo Blog

The View From The Top: Interview with Selina Jones-May (Lumentum), and Global Mobility in a Cost-Conscious World

Written by Dr. Talya (Taly) Goren | 01.02.2023

In the latest episode of "The View From The Top," Brian Friedman interviewed Selina Jones-May, a true legend in the mobility industry. Selina has won numerous awards including the Global Mobility Professional of the Year, the FEM Emma's, and the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Awards.

During the interview, Selina shared her career journey, starting with a decade of advising clients in expat tax. She eventually fell in love with the in-house idea and took her special skills to the industry, moving through various roles in FMCG, energy, marine and engineering before landing in the tech space. Currently, Selina is with Lumentum, which may not be a household name yet, but is making waves in the industry.

The show then moved on to the main discussion about Global Mobility in a Cost-Conscious World, which was packed with actionable insights and ideas for companies looking to optimize their mobility program.
From evaluating the value of self-initiated vs company-required moves, to understanding the real costs of exceptions management, the discussion covered a wide range of topics that are critical to the success of any mobility program.

One key takeaway from the show was the importance of accurate cost estimates. As Selina and Beth discussed, cost estimates are essential for understanding the true cost of a move, but they can also be a barrier for some companies due to the cost of delivering them or the timelines to create them. However, as the show emphasized, the benefits of accurate cost estimates are well worth the effort (and are free for Benivo clients).

The show highlighted the value of cash support for self-initiated moves, with Beth discussing the idea of replacing cash allowances with interest-free salary advances that can be repaid through Benivo's PayLater feature. Additionally, Cara discussed the benefits of replacing assignments with core-flex or lump sum models and Selina provided insights on how to optimize mobility length through tax concessions and treaties.

The show also covered the topics of exceptions management, the importance of automating admin processes through technology, and much more.

In short, this show was jam-packed with valuable insights and ideas for companies looking to optimize their mobility program. If you missed the live show, be sure to watch the recording and learn how to take your mobility program to the next level.