INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS
MOVING WITH THE TIMES
In this tech- and talent-driven age, people are returning to the heart of relocation. FIDI Global Alliance’s Magali Horbert caught up with Relocate to talk customer experience, the new accreditation for destination service providers and the body’s new direction and leadership.
F
IDI Global Alliance, the international not-for-profit organisation representing professional international moving and relocation companies, will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year. Over the past seven decades, it
has grown to represent more than 600 international removals companies (FIDI Affiliates) that hold the coveted FAIM accreditation and undergo its rigorous and regularly updated compliance cycle. FAIM holders have earned a sought-after mark of quality for corporate RFPs and RFIs after being fully assessed and independently audited by EY every three years; every year between those times internally; and now annually for financial stability, a project launched this year in consultation with its members.
FLYING THE FLAG FOR QUALITY RELOCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS The FAIM mark has arguably never been more relevant. During uncertain times, there are few guarantees. Knowing your relocation supply chain is strong, compliant and operating to a consistently high and independently assessed standard globally offers great peace of mind to mobility professionals and assignees alike. “Relocation has changed a lot in the last 10-15 years,” says
Magali Horbert, from FIDI’s Brussels office. “In the past, there was direct contact between a mover and the end-customer. Now there is a whole eco-system of stakeholders, from relocation and destination services specialists to the corporate side of HR and global mobility that often have a whole department for managing packages and benefits. “This can break down the contact between the client and the relocation management company. For us, this is when standardisation
and
quality
certification come in. It is easy to lose track of responsibilities, quality and due diligence when there are so many elements in the supply chain. FAIM’s focus is the assurance that key standards are in play to ensure quality.”
MOVING PEOPLE AND ADAPTING TO DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE FIDI’s member network extends to more than 100 countries over all continents and ranges from small, family-run operations to the largest international groups offering a variety of services. “We, therefore, have a very good and global view of what is happening,” says Horbert. Asked how the geopolitical climate is impacting international removals, she says that “change has always existed – the biggest challenge today are the social shifts we are seeing.” “There are huge changes in the expatriate identity,” says Horbert.
“Relocations used to be long-term and ‘heirloom’ moves. Family furniture was packed up, moved and delivered to the new overseas address. Now there is much more flexibility and variety. “Millennial expats have completely different expectations when
preparing for overseas relocation. They are much more informed thanks to the Internet and there are more short-term assignments. We’re also continuing to see lump-sum allowances, which changes the whole concept of a relocation assignment from our point of view. This goes hand in hand with the shift in the relocation ecosystem
44 | RELOCATE | SUMMER 2019
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