EXCLUSIVE: Munson International Makes Moving Simple

Editor's note: As part of our look at local businesses, today's Monday Movers features a visit with Jim Munson, co-founder of Munson International, a global moving and relocation business. In part one of our interview with Munson (http://goatlanta-ga.blogspot.com/2009/02/exclusive-munson-international-on-move.html), we looked at moves for residents. Today's piece looks at corporate moves. If you have an Atlanta area business you would like featured, email: cpodber@echaincommunity.com .

Founded by 30-year industry veteran Munson and his wife, Elizabeth, Munson International minimizes the disruption and anxiety faced during a move by managing physical as well as cultural needs. Not only does the global mobility specialist pack and transport a clients’ household belongings - Munson International also provides an array of services such as: intercultural training and relocation counseling, orientation tours, school information, spousal career and social assistance, child and elderly care, transportation, temporary accommodations, home searches, mortgage and real estate services, community integration and many other personal and professional special needs.

Munson has managed moves for Fortune 500 Global companies such as Hyatt Corp., British Telecom, Equitable Life, MCI WorldCom, Williams Company, GTS (Russia), Lucas Automotive (England), Bosch (Germany), Novatel (Monaco), as well as hundreds of small businesses and individuals.

GOATLANTA: What are we seeing today as far as corporate moves given the tight economy we are in?

JIM MUNSON: We are seeing a downturn with corporate relocations with most companies, however, recently many of the more progressive companies have decided that some of the best people are now on the market and have decided to go after them if they can help their bottom line and they can get them for less money than they could before. We are actually working with some very progressive companies that see this as a chance to go after some of the great talent that they could not get in boom times. Now they are making them offers to move to the southeast and they are jumping at the chance.

GA: What advice would you have for a business owner that is contemplating move to maybe a better area for its business, moving to save money for its business, etc?

JM: Many companies are giving lump sums to their employees and the families which is really the wrong thing to do since it puts the burden on the family to make all of the choices rather than giving them a hand when they need it most. We actually have worked out a program that can help with lump sum programs that will save the company money and gives the employee one point of contact. It has been working really well and gets away from the family sitting on a home at origin for months because the listing agent has priced the house too high.

GA: Is now a good time to move a business or should an owner wait for the economy to settle down?

JM: There is no good answer to that one. We are seeing a good number of international companies moving into the southeast, and at the same time, small companies are starting up all the time with great results because they are not stuck with the same old management ideas and lack of imagination. Quite frankly, that has nothing to do with age or ability, it has more to do with imagination and your relationships with customers. Do people and companies want to buy what you are selling? If the answer is YES, you will do fine. If NO, then you are in trouble regardless of the timing.

GA: For business owners with companies in the Atlanta area, how is the economy locally going to impact whether they move or not? If they do choose to move, any areas in Georgia that are doing well now to relocate a business to?

JM: The whole state of Georgia is still in great position; we have the great airport, the great port of Savannah and all of the labor that is willing to work in between. One of the programs that is just starting up is a new business called IBIS (International Business Incubator South). This group, which is teaming up with almost all of the international chambers of commerce, is going to be a big boost for the city of Atlanta. They will provide office space, destination services, and marketing services for each of the chambers that belong. It is my understanding that so far they have the French, Swedish, Swiss, Russian, Polish, and Belgium chambers, and are talking to several others. This is the kind of program that the city and Georgia has needed for a long time.

For further information, visit www.munsoninternational.com

EXCLUSIVE: Munson International on the Move

As part of our new feature on GOATLANTA, we will run a Q&A five days a week with a local business. The idea behind these interviews is to acquaint our readers with area businesses and see how they are making a go of it in these challenging economic times.

In the first of a two-part interview (see next Tuesday for an article on corporate moves), today's guest is Jim Munson, co-founder of Munson International, a global moving and relocation business. Founded by 30-year industry veteran Munson and his wife, Elizabeth, Munson International minimizes the disruption and anxiety faced during a move by managing physical as well as cultural needs.

Not only does the global mobility specialist pack and transport a clients’ household belongings - Munson International also provides an array of services such as: intercultural training and relocation counseling, orientation tours, school information, spousal career and social assistance, child and elderly care, transportation, temporary accommodations, home searches, mortgage and real estate services, community integration and many other personal and professional special needs.

Munson has managed moves for Fortune 500 Global companies such as Hyatt Corp., British Telecom, Equitable Life, MCI WorldCom, Williams Company, GTS (Russia), Lucas Automotive (England), Bosch (Germany), Novatel (Monaco), as well as hundreds of small businesses and individuals.

GOATLANTA: Talk a little bit about your business, how long serving the Atlanta area, etc.

JIM MUNSON: We are a relocation business offering destination services. We have helped families buy homes, apartments, cars, establish credit, learn about the area schools, churches, shopping, doctors, dentists, plumbers and more for over 25 years.

GA: In these tough economic times, how are you keeping your business profitable and what advice do you have for other small business owners?

JM: You need to adjust to the changing times. We use to advertise in the Yellow pages and work the phone, but now everything is at least started with computers and social networking. It takes a bit of both; face-to-face and computer networking to make things work. Most people like to know who they are buying from.

GA: Given the economy, are we seeing more people up and moving to cheaper areas of Atlanta or the country? If so, what advice do you have for someone thinking about moving in this current economy?

JM: Houses are still selling... for some reason people have a set idea what their house is worth but it is only worth what someone will pay you for it. We always say look at it as if you are the buyer coming into town. Would you buy that item? Would you buy that home? Things are amazing if you put the shoe on the other foot and we so often just do not do it.

GA: In general, what advice do you have for people when they move? Is there an "easy" way to go about a move and how far in advance should someone plan a move?

JM: If you can move before the summer do it. There is usually a higher price in the summer since it is high season, and the service is not as good since corporate clients normally get better service. I always suggest that if you only have one move have your company run it as a corporate move. You will get a better driver and better services since the mover will see you as a long-term client rather than a one-shot deal. Likewise, if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. These are business people and they need to make a profit. Do not put all of your goods on a truck with a non-reputable company; you are only asking for trouble.

GA: Where do you see your business a year from now?

JM: Next year I am sure that my company will be changing again and so will I; it will all be going well again.

For further information, visit www.munsoninternational.com.