Time to take stock A s the saying goes, its an ill wind that blows no-one any good, and while it is certainly premature for many to be finding positives among the negatives of the COVID-19 crisis, there are moving businesses doing this already. At the start of the pandemic, movers were forced to deal with a barrage of problems, ranging from cancelled and postponed moves, to goods and people stuck in transit as lockdowns were enforced around the world. The fallout from this will continue for months if not years, with a backlog of moves and tangles to unpick, including legal issues, such as the current SIRVA/Cartus lawsuit. All this against a background of financial and general uncertainty about the future of business the likes of which we have never known. The weeks in which the industry has slowed right down, and in many places stopped, have given movers the chance to look hard at how their companies operate and think about radical changes for the better. This isnt (necessarily) about face masks, hand sanitiser and socially distanced moves although as nobody knows how long coronavirus will last these will feature for some time but rather about movers taking the opportunity to shape the industry instead of it shaping them. Initially, this might mean taking fewer risks, WW W. F I D I. O R G FF297 JunJul20 pp08-09 Ed.indd 9 FROM TH E E D I TO R more caution and holding onto more cash. But beyond this, businesses can develop in exciting new directions, using technology and a more flexible mindset to create companies that are more environmentally sustainable, provide a better work/life balance for employees and, crucially now, are far more efficient than they were. It is going to take time before we really understand how COVID-19 has changed the world and what exactly this means for relocation. Its possible we may see more locally focused economic activity and fewer corporate moves; its too early to call, but there will be opportunities. In recent weeks, FIDI Focus has spoken to Affiliates who are thinking nimbly and looking forward to the new challenges. Our feature on best practice reveals how they have reacted to coronavirus so far and their thoughts on the future. It also offers some practical advice on preparing your business for the future, with the clear takeaway: Dont waste this opportunity to change. FIDI will change, too (see page 19), but it will be there to inform and assist you with FIDI Focus, training and a series of COVID-19-focused webinars. These are among the reasons why, in its 70th year, FIDI is still an essential partner to your business. DOMINIC WEAVER 9 01/06/2020 14:34