F ID I S E RV I C E S STANDARDISATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL MOVING INDUSTRY Why opting for uniformed trading terms is beneficial for the FIDI Community. By Marie-Pascale Frix, Business Intelligence Manager, FIDI I MARIE-PASCALE FRIX, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE MANAGER, FIDI FIDI has developed a standardised SLA for the benefit of its Affiliates and ultimately of the industry n todays global world, there is an increasing demand from end customers for enhanced quality delivery and strengthened supply chain management through compliance requirements. The current buzz around blockchain is a good example of such an evolution and is based on simple key phrases: cooperation between all stakeholders in a given industry, harmonised processes, automation and technical developments. Studies of standardisation demonstrate that it is key to success. According to the European Commission, the benefits of standardisation are extensive. It helps improve market access, increases competitiveness and efficiency, reduces trading costs, harmonises contractual agreements and increases quality. It also brings a solid foundation to build and disseminate innovative technologies and enhance business practices. In previous issues of FIDI Focus, General Manager Jesse van Sas has made a strong case for standardisation in our industry. If we want to be relevant globally and taken seriously by corporate customers, governments and consumers, we need to be able to demonstrate that we are moving in this direction. FIDI Norway has done just this, embarking on an initiative to establish general liability conditions for the moving and storage industries in Norway and the Nordic countries (NSAB Moving, NSAB Storage). FIDI Norway President Hans Christian Strand says there was an urgent need for harmonisation, as companies based in the Nordic countries were facing many different liability provisions that were causing confusion for customers. As a trade association, one of FIDIs roles is to provide its Affiliates with tools that foster standardisation and enhance their competitiveness. FIDI Affiliates have a straightforward role to play in this regard: by opting for the standardised tools developed by FIDI and leading by example. A GOOD EXAMPLE In a typical month, how many service level agreements (SLAs) do you receive from different stakeholders, each with their own specifics? Have you ever considered how many hours were lost reading each of these SLAs, not to speak of the related risks of trading using different sets of regulations, interpreted differently depending on your region or local conditions? 28 FF292 AugSep19 pp28-29 Services Standardisation.indd 28 FIDI SLA TEMPLATE: BENEFITS IN A NUTSHELL 1.Applicable to all international household moving services. 2.Improved business partnership between trading partners. The FIDI SLA defines how moving companies should conduct business with one another (based on PCGs principles) while emphasising the importance of compliance requirements in todays business. 3.Peace of mind no need to send a new version each time to your FIDI trading partners as the FIDI SLA clearly refers to the PCGs and compliance principles in their latest version as published on the FIDI website. 4.Increased efficiency, productivity and quality delivery. 5.Improved cooperation and communication between FIDI Affiliates trading according to the same common principles. In case of a dispute, the FIDI DisputeResolution Scheme (FIDI DRS) will assist your companies in line withthe PCGs. 6.You can opt for implicit or explicit consent. There is no obligation for the document to be signed. 7.You can include alternative agreements specific to your company or to a trading partner and indicate the order of precedence that shall apply. If you havent already adopted the FIDI SLA, please take the timeto read the documents and consider the benefits it will have. Standardisation willhelp your company, your customers, the FIDI community and the entire moving industry. To address the proliferation of SLAs and the need for uniformity in our industry, FIDI has developed a standardised SLA for the benefit of its Affiliates and, ultimately, of the industry. The second edition of the FIDI SLA template was launched at the beginning of 2019. It enables FIDI Affiliates to trade with FIDI and non-FIDI companies based on the same standard requirements. l FIDI SLA Templates, FIDI PCGs and compliance guidelines are available on FIDINET. For more info or to share your views, contact marie-pascale.frix@fidi.org WWW. F I D I . OR G 15/07/2019 14:52