In the world of Global Mobility, "legacy" is often code for "clunky." For 180-year-old organizations like Pearson, the transition from a traditional publishing house to a digital-first learning company required a mobility function that could keep pace.
Alexandra Oeda, Head of Global Mobility at Pearson, recently joined The View from the Top to share how her team transformed a heavy, manual operation into a streamlined, tech-enabled strategic partner.
Before partnering with Benivo, Pearson operated with legacy tools that Alexandra described as "heavy and clunky." The most visible pain point? Cost estimates. It took the best part of a day to run a single estimate, which then had to be "sliced and diced" to make it legible for business leaders.
In a fast-moving talent market, a 24-hour turnaround for a basic cost projection is a bottleneck that prevents Global Mobility from being an agile advisor to the business.
By moving to Benivo, Pearson didn't just change vendors; they implemented a Unified System of Record. Here is how the combination of service and technology changed their daily operations:
1. Speed as a Superpower: Today, the Pearson team generates cost estimates faster than ever. This shift has transformed their role from data entry to high-level consulting. They can now run multiple "what-if" scenarios instantly, advising the business on the most cost-effective and compliant way to move talent, whether it's a permanent one-way move or a complex cross-border remote arrangement.
2. Chatting with Data (MI): One of the most impactful tools in their arsenal is Benivo MI (Mobility Intelligence). The team uses Benivo MI, an AI-driven tool, to handle complex queries that used to require manual research or external consultancy:
3. Solving the Expense Bottleneck: In a complex project in Saudi Arabia, Pearson faced high costs because expenses were being treated as a service by an external provider, attracting VAT and additional service charges. By using the Benivo expense tool already included in their license, Pearson:
Eliminated extra service charges and VAT on those transactions.
Accelerated reimbursements from months (via payroll) to as little as one hour.
Alexandra is clear that this is an iterative journey. While they have successfully unified their data and automated their financial core, the next frontier is automated document generation. The team is currently working toward a future where complex assignment letters are generated instantly within the platform, further removing the "daily grind" of manual drafting.
"The team has grown in their field because it's easier to do... they are using their time for the task which is actually quite important: consulting the business." - Alexandra Oeda Pearson.
The Pearson Journey proves that Global Mobility only becomes strategic when it is backed by the right tools. Most traditional models separate relocation "service" from "technology," leading to fragmented data and manual work. Benivo provides the tools required to be truly strategic:
Stop fighting with clunky legacy tools. Switch to the New Blueprint and give your team the tools to lead. Contact us today.