As we come to the end of a challenging yet successful year for IBN Immigration Solutions, I would like to take the time to write down a few words while our CEO, Andreas Krensel, is already on his well-deserved holiday.
Company Goals
What do you think of when you picture pristine, long, empty beaches, white-washed fisherman cottages, fresh lobster and mussels and breathtaking sunsets? If you have not heard of the quaint fishing village named Paternoster yet, do yourself a favor and look it up.
Paternoster is up the West Coast, just short of 2 hours outside of Cape Town, and part of the IBN Immigration Solutions’ team just got the chance to spend a few very exciting days there. Every quarter, the management team of IBN meets to review the previous quarter, to look at our goals and priorities for the upcoming quarter and to ensure that we are on track to achieve our annual goals. Even though we have been doing this for a couple of years, we all agreed that this one was the best strategic meeting we have had to date. We achieved a lot of the goals we had set ourselves for the quarter, all done with exceptional work-input by the entire team.
I had prepared a workshop where we each person assessed each other individually, naming the thing we admire most about the other person, mentioning something we think that person can still improve on. The level of honesty and sincere feedback, was truly appreciated. We all took our little notes home with us, proud to see what others admire about us but also excited to dig deeper in regards to the improvement suggestions given by those that we work with every day. The level of honesty and professionalism really made me proud.
We took it back to basics, reviewed our company values, looking at our strengths but also at areas where we need to improve to ensure that our values are incorporated in our company culture through the entire group. We have very defined goals and to do’s for the last quarter of the (financial) year and are on good track to achieve the goals for the year that we had set out for ourselves at the beginning of 2023.
Anybody that has worked at or with IBN Immigration Solutions’ for many years, knows that we put a great focus on training and upskilling. The quarterly strategic meetings but also weekly management meetings have paid off and IBN is at a point where certain important responsibilities and decisions are no longer carried out by our CEO alone. There are many capable hands that can step up when and where needed without the involvement of Andreas Krensel. This change is very encouraging, motivating and empowering for everybody at IBN.
African Immigration Trends
During one of our last management meetings, our Kenyan team updated us on the recent events in Kenya. The government fees for visa applications been increased immensely in Kenya. The increase has been so severe that we fear that this has an impact on the number of assignees being sent to the country. On top of that, many expats are currently leaving Kenya due to the rising costs of living.
As much as we feel the increase of costs in South Africa, we have not seen a similar trend of assignees leaving yet. The exchange rate is still in favour for most of our clients, making South Africa a very popular place to live. Many of our European and American clients moved to South Africa in the last year for better and more affordable education for their children or a better quality of life. For many of our South African clients, looking for exit strategies to start a new life overseas, this might come as a surprise, considering the undeniable poverty and crime in South Africa.
One of my clients couldn’t have put it better the other day when they said “The grass is greener where you water it”.
At IBN Immigration Solutions, we are excited to be offering solutions to foreigners coming to South African or other African countries but also to assist (South) Africans with their immigration journey to countries like Germany or Ireland.
Going into 2024
The calendar for 2024 is already filling with exciting events, two of the highlights being the AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) conference and the EURA (European Relocation Association) conference. Bianca Nicholls, our Head of Production will attend the AILA conference in the Netherlands in February and Andreas Krensel and I will attend the EURA conference in Portugal in April. We truly appreciate the fact that we are able to attend such events, meeting and engaging with the biggest players in the relocation and immigration game world-wide.
For me personally, 2023 was a very special year. I took on the position as Head of Client Acquisition at IBN Immigration Solutions, a role I thoroughly enjoy. I absolutely love my consultations with my clients from all over the world, listening to their stories, their dreams and plans and finding a suitable solution together. I also managed to spend 7 weeks at home with my family in Europe, all while keeping up with work and still reaching targets. Another thing that was on my mind for years was to find something meaningful where I can contribute towards a good cause.
A few weeks back, I came across something I never knew even existed, and I am eternally grateful that I did. I am now volunteering as a doula/birth companion weekly at a public maternity hospital in Cape Town. Quite a contrast to my daily work, I know. But if you have one new years resolution for 2024 (or you had none), I urge you to consider this:
Volunteer Your Time
Nothing gives your greater joy than volunteering your time, I promise you. If you struggle for ideas of how you can do this, please ask your friend google, or if you have kept up with the greatest (and craziest) developments of 2023, ask an A.I. like Bard. And please, share with me what you got up to, I really would love to hear about it. The one thing I really failed at again in 2023, was creating our family photo albums, 2017 is where I started and got stuck. I wonder when I will admit that it will just never happen anymore… For now, it goes onto my 2024 to do list.
As we close our offices for a short but well-deserved break, we eagerly anticipate the new year with rejuvenated spirits. May this festive season bring joy, warmth, and well-deserved relaxation to you and your loved ones.
Wishing you a delightful festive season and a prosperous New Year!
Written by Kristin Rasool, Head of Client Acquisition
Edited by Simon Carletti, PR and Creative Supervisor
