The role of DSPs in corporate mobility

As a DSP, James and his team work with companies to ensure the successful transfer of their employees on international assignments. Services range from organising visas and finding accommodation, to offering support for relocating spouses and cultural integration training.

These may seem like perks for the lucky few, but relocation success directly and significantly influences assignee performance, with some even ending their assignments prematurely after a bad experience. With so much at stake, it’s important to select a DSP that is up to the task.

A calibre apart

Originally a certification for international removals, FIDI’s FAIM accreditation expanded to include the DSP module in 2019. “The DSP certification follows the same principles that have built the FAIM reputation,” explains FIDI Communication Manager Magali Horbert. “It’s a signal to customers that a FAIM-certified provider’s DSP offering measures up to the same high standards as their international removal services.“

FAIM enjoys its reputation for good reason. Auditing powerhouse EY audits FIDI Affiliates every three years on more than 200 points, including supply-chain management, service quality and data security. Unlike other certification programmes, members must also submit documentation annually between audits to prove that they are still compliant.

As an additional form of customer protection, FIDI, in close collaboration with international auditing firm EY, has launched the Credit Risk Barometer (CRB) to check members’ financial soundness. In its pilot phase, the organisation aims to make the barometer a mandatory FAIM requirement. FIDI members with poor reports risk losing their accreditation, but for those in good standing, a CRB report will be a powerful marketing tool alongside the well-recognised FAIM brand.

An industry yardstick

As a living accreditation, that adapts to client demands and international legal requirements, James sees FAIM as the gold standard of global mobility. “Corporate and government clients know and trust the FIDI standard. Many request FAIM certification from their providers, so this logo, backed by FIDI and its reputation for excellence, is a must have for AGS UK as we grow our relocation business.”

Discuss your international assignment with James and the AGS UK team.

The ISO 9001/2015 standard defines the requirements for a quality management system and assists us to constantly improve and sustain the quality of our services.

Audited by SGS, the AGS Group has renewed its ISO 9001 certification with the new 2015 version.

The IAM’s Hall of Honor was established in 2008 to pay tribute to industry leaders whose careers reflect exceptional and distinguished service to their companies, the Association or who have worked to elevate the industry as a whole. Tony Waugh, a veteran in the international relocations industry, started in the industry in 1978 when the software company, in which he was a partner, developed computer systems for Trans-Euro and other European Movers.

Tony’s company later re-wrote the systems for US Van Lines, which led him to move from his home country of Ireland to the USA in 1984. The system was installed at North American International, United Van Lines and Mayflower over the next 18 months. He joined Mayflower in 1986 to develop agent communications systems and was subsequently appointed as the VP of their international division in 1988, a position he held until 1996.

He joined Global Silverhawk in 1996 and held positions as Executive VP and COO until leaving to start a consulting business in 2000. His consulting clients included Runzheimer, Suddath, PWC, Bank One and AGS Worldwide Movers.

In 2008, AGS Worldwide Movers hired Tony as a partner responsible for the Group’s US relations, and to study and develop our relationship with the American market.

AGS Group Management congratulates Tony on this exceptional achievement and wishes him continued success for the future.

Every year, this unique event brings together nearly 2000 participants, representing 1700 member companies from more than 160 countries worldwide. Industry professionals had an opportunity to meet and share ideas with partners from around the world.

The International Association of Movers (IAM), is the largest international group of professionals in the moving industry with more than 2000 members in 170 countries. The association brings together companies that specialise in moving, transport, logistics and other mobility related services. IAM also provides support to its members to develop their business by dispensing unparalleled resources, support and networking opportunities.

Every year, the AGS Group meets its partners during the IAM annual conference to reflect on the past year’s activities and potential business ideas.

A partner is appointed by a moving company to act as a representative in organising a move. A branch of the AGS Group may call upon a representative when the group is not directly located in a region or a country. The partner will then take care of receiving the shipment, customs clearance and final delivery.

Partners who work with AGS have been carefully selected to meet the strict quality standards of the group. All partners are members of quality accreditation bodies to ensure that we maintain our commitment to offer identical services of uniform quality, no matter the destination anywhere in the world.

The annual IAM meeting is an important event for both the AGS Group and the partners. It allows us to address operational issues and to take stock of the developments and acquisitions in the industry. The AGS Group has always maintained excellent relations with its partners in order to offer our customers exceptional quality of service everywhere in the world.

In addition to directing AGS Movers’ branch network in India, Payal already dedicates a significant amount of her time to giving back to the international moving industry.

For example, she currently also serves as the President of FIDI India; the Vice President of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Vice Chair of the European Business Group in Delhi.

“I am thrilled to have been appointed as a FIDI Trainer: I feel privileged to be able to share my knowledge and experience with other young professionals in the industry!” says Payal enthusiastically.

“I also consider this a special opportunity to learn even more than what I have over the past 19 years of being in the industry.”

An early task for Payal in this new role will be to travel to South Africa in September, where she will offer training at one of the FIDI Academy’s upcoming ‘Essentials in Moving’ (EiM) seminars – coincidentally to be hosted at AGS Movers Johannesburg’s premises.

Payal will also deliver industry training online and contribute to the development of topical training courses and updating existing FIDI Academy course material. Online training is delivered through FIDI Academy’s ‘webinar’ (web seminar) system, with practical topics ranging from freight forwarding to client surveys and move planning.

“I do consider this as an honour and will ensure that I live up to the expectations of the FIDI Academy,” promises Payal.

AGS wishes her all the best!

Signed by the US Ambassador to Chad, James Knight, the certificate was received by Branch Manager Jean-Louis Dutech (far left).

Organised by the FC Group, the awards ceremony was hosted at Beijing’s exclusive Capital Club on September 19.

‘Trophées des Français de l’étranger’ (‘Trophies for French Expatriates’) rewards the experience of seven exceptional French expatriates in seven categories, and was hosted recently at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quay d’Orsay.

Organised by ‘Le Petit journal’ – an online newspaper for French expatriates and Francophone readers abroad – the event was attended by Hélène Conway-Mouret, France’s Minister Delegate responsible for French expatriates.

AGS was invited as the event’s ‘Environment Category’ sponsor, and represented by Sophie Lucas, Gil Le Menes, Dorina Dama and Benoît de Moncuit.

After a speech presenting the AGS Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Benoît de Moncuit (AGS France’s CEO) presented the ‘Environment Trophy’ to Jérôme Chanson for the development of an ecological carwash in the Netherlands, Greenest Carwash.

AGS contributes to numerous sustainability projects, including its unique ‘One Move = One Tree’ campaign and the United Nations Global Compact, and demonstrates its full commitment to environmental safeguards through its involvement in events of this nature.

Factors recognised by the Editorial Board of the Mediazone Group (MZG) included AGS’ quality certifications; contributions to Hong Kong and China over the last eight years; overall quality and value of services; and devotion to quality in staff training.

“The AGS Hong Kong team is very honoured to receive this award,”

said AGS Hong Kong Branch Manager Gregory Seitz upon receiving the award.

“We aim to achieve full customer satisfaction at every move thanks to our quality systems and our certifications. I would like to thank the organisers for this special event and for selecting AGS in the category ‘Relocation Services’.”

According to figures released by MZG, they annually invest in excess of $5 million into research and analysis. Regular internet-based polls include more than 30 mainstream industries, providing accurate data for use by HKMVC.

CAPTION: AGS Hong Kong’s Branch Manager, Gregory Seitz and Trainee Manager, Elliot McMahon, receive the award for ‘Most Reliable Relocation Service Provider 2014’ in the ‘Most Valuable Service Awards 2014’.

When AGS Movers Budapest’s Branch Manager, Ingrid Lamblin, was notified on March 27 that her branch was the first removal company in Hungary to be FAIM Plus accredited – a quality-certification issued by the International Federation of International Movers (FIDI) – she had numerous reasons to celebrate.

Not only did the branch audit take place on her birthday in March (Ingrid’s staff presented her with an AGS-branded cake as a unique commemoration) but April 1 marked her 14-year work anniversary with AGS.

Coming from a background of international transportation and sales, Ingrid joined AGS in 2000 in a sales role; and in 2007 was appointed as Branch Manager of AGS’ branch in Budapest. Following this she was also President of ADA-Europe for two years.

AGS Belgrade now also FAIM PluS

As was detailed in the feature article in the March AGS newsletter, when AGS branches are ISO 9001:2008 accredited and renew their FIDI Accredited International Mover (FAIM) certification they are now being audited under the more stringent FAIM Plus standards.

This is what makes AGS Movers Belgrade’s achievement – another branch to have been newly accredited with FAIM Plus on April 4, and also the first removal company with this status in Serbia – particularly important.

Alexandre Lebègue, AGS’ Senior Group Quality Manager, congratulated AGS Belgrade’s Branch Manager Vladan Jankovic after the branch’s FAIM Plus accreditation was obtained with a 100% compliance rating – a strong recognition of the branch’s service quality.

“This award is simultaneously a great encouragement and obligation, and is the result of many years of hard work from the whole AGS Group,” Vladan commented on the FAIM Plus certification.

“As a fully dedicated team, Vesna, Bojan, Saska and myself will continue in the most effective way to provide the best quality services in a manner which is friendly, on time and with highly professional cooperation in order to fully meet all customers’ expectations.”