First Impressions

When preparing for moving to Singapore or, moving to India or moving to Malaysia to live and work, a thorough familiarization with the new location is essential. Raffles Movers will help you to familiarise you with the new city prior to your International relocation.

Raffles Movers ‘First Impressions’ is a pre-move programme which you will find essential during this decision-making time for a current employee who will be moving into Singapore or for a potential employee who is still contemplating a move to Singapore.

This 5-hour programme is split into two sections which are customized to the individual’s or the family’s needs and concerns:
 
Briefing 

how to plan your shipment

customs procedures

• necessary documentation - entry papers & work permits
• schooling for your children
• relocating pets
• medical & health concerns
• spousal employment

‘Out & About’

This section will give clients a general overview of the lifestyle in Singapore and, depending on the clients needs, will include stops at a supermarket, a shopping mall, a furniture store, an electrical appliances store, clubs, schools etc.Resource material provided is extensive and will include a map of Singapore, expatriate living cost information and the book ‘Living in Singapore’.

Country Information

This programme deals with the practical necessities of settling into Singapore, or anywhere else in the world, and covers a wide variety of topics relevant to the recently relocated expatriate.

This is a two half-day program (10 hours total) with an optional extension to 15 hours for extensive school visits.

Day One will be held in-house and focus on practical matters from A – Z including the following topics:

• Banking
• Communications & Postal Services
• Transportation & Driving
• Schooling
• Shopping
• Medical and many more

Day Two is spent ‘out and about’ in Singapore, using a chauffeur driven car or bus, in order to experience and explore this diverse and exciting city. 

Stops include:

• Visits to a supermarket, hardware store and wet market
• Hospital familiarization 
• Furniture mall
• Local transport (Bus, train, Taxi) ride
• Ethnic areas/Tourist spots in City visit
• Historic sites (or school visits if desired)

This seminar includes our valuable resource guide, TransitLink Guide, Street Directory and various useful brochures.

A 5-hour extension for additional school search is possible. See more information about Singapore, India and Malaysia at the country information page

Home Search Assistance

Finding a suitable home in a new environment is an integral part of an individual’s or a family’s well being. This programme is designed to reduce unnecessary complications arising due to unsatisfactory housing selection and allows the client to make an educated choice of accommodation within his or her allotted budget.The client will be accompanied by an experienced consultant who will provide local knowledge, an unbiased viewpoint and will help the family focus on their housing priorities

During this programme (max. 15 hours) an overview of the real estate market is given together with detailed explanations of the local housing terminology and convenience of the various locations.

The viewing of properties will be with an experienced real estate agent who is familiar with expatriate needs and local market conditions.

A debriefing session will be held at the end of each day.  With the help of the detailed notes, which the consultant will have formulated and gathered during the day, this session will enable the clients to re-focus on their objectives.

Cultural Awareness Programme

Effective cross-cultural interaction has never been more important than in today’s global marketplace. An effective settling program offered by Raffles Movers could avoid many of the misunderstandings and miscommunication due to cultural differences. 

This half-day cultural awareness programme (5 hours) offered by Raffles Movers is tailored to meet the participating family’s specific needs through discussion, practical examples and interactive case studies.

You will find it equally useful for handling business, social and domestic situations appropriately and sensitively. Important differences between cultures are identified and explored and various influences in peoples’ lives are discussed.

Relevant topics covered during this seminar are:

• Understanding culture
• Cultural Dimensions
• Individualism versus collectivism
• Analyzing one’s own intercultural strength
• Making contact
• Relationship building
• Effective negotiation
• Giving feedback

Conducting business in a social setting and many more.The basic programme is geared towards the newcomer to Singapore/India/Malaysia highlighting the diverse cultural influences he/she will encounter. An extended programme will include additional topics like historical significance, religious influences, gift giving etc.