#SUSTAINABLEMOVES LOOKING AHEAD With technology playing an ever more central role in the operations of modern moving businesses, it is a core focus for FIDIs 39 Club. Jackie Stouffer speaks to four young movers about driving digital change in their companies I JACKIE STOUFFER FIDI 39 CLUB VICE-PRESIDENT n an increasingly digital world, the FIDI 39 Club recognises that the responsibility to continue to push the industry forward will fall to the younger generation. For this reason, it will be one of our pillars of focus for the remainder of 2022, and into 2023. Our industry has only recently begun to make solid steps in technological advancement. The recent pandemic has for the most part solidified a common goal of increased digitisation and technological improvement. This includes improvements within individual companies and industry-wide advances such as the future of the virtual FAIM audits. We can no longer afford to move too slow. Below, Alvin Ong (Vanpac Intl.), Christiaan Van der Ent (Van der Ent Group), and Lennert de Jong (Gosselin Group) share their own experiences and involvement in driving technological change within their companies. JS: Our industry is often criticised as being stuck in its ways with a reputation for being resistant to change. How can the upcoming generation help spearhead technological advances in our industry? AO: Our industry may seem stuck in its ways as our operations are very labour intensive. However, this hasnt stopped us from introducing technological advances. From the use of app-based trucking systems to the introduction of cryptocurrency payments, we are continually looking at how we can introduce new technologies in our company. Some of these have brought improved productivity and efficiency to our operations while others, such as cryptocurrency payments, have provided a good standout from competitors. CVDE: It all starts with a good vision. I always say: Its not what I want, its what the customer asks for. Holding on to the past makes you vulnerable. If you do so, you will eventually be overtaken by competitors who WW W. F I D I. O R G FF306 June-August 22 pp70-73 FIDI 39 Club.indd 71 are more flexible and open to embracing change. You need to give younger talent a voice and give them the opportunity to grow within a company. Its a privilege to be fourth generation, but its also a big responsibility to constantly challenge the organisation. I have made plans to work faster and more efficiently and to improve various aspects of quality. It has been an interesting journey so far, moving from traditional servers to cloud-based programs, consolidating redundant internal programs for a more streamlined operation and choosing a new transportation management system. LDJ: I dont entirely agree with the statement that the industry has been slow on the uptake with technology. This might be a nuanced answer from a normally very direct Dutchman, but I think moving as a whole has made some big leaps in the technology landscape particularly in last five years, in terms of working digitally and remotely, with virtual surveys, data sharing and even knowledge sharing. The upcoming generation always had and still has the advantage that they have grown up with the existing technology. This might be using a mobile phone for the ones born in the 1980s or feeling more comfortable to videocall or use social media to connect with clients and peers for those born in the 1990s and onwards. The next generation will need to lead the push for the generation afterwards. The next major factor that will play a role is artificial intelligence, which is slowly earning its place in workplaces in areas such as finding the right logistics solution or assessing the volume of a move. JS: In your view, what has been the technological advance that has had the most impact at your company during the past few years? AO: COVID changed the way many people work and, like many companies in the industry, we had to make 71 07/06/2022 15:02