How to sum up the FIDI conference that took place in Edinburgh from 11-15 May? Well, fortunately, for over 600 of you, there’s no need because you were there.
For the rest, if you were entitled to go – you should have gone. If you are not a FIDI member, then I could say it was everything an industry conference should be. It felt like FIDI had really tried hard to include something for everyone and, with the iconic city of Edinburgh as the backdrop, it did seem special. It was special.
It’s not for me to go through the entire programme here. I don’t have the space anyway, but it was varied and, in my opinion, very professionally delivered. The FIDI 39 Club was well represented, with its own conference-within-a conference, a ceilidh and dinner and the obligatory 39 Club party.
Business sessions were generally well attended, much more so than in the past I felt. Maybe a few more people are beginning to get the message that there is something useful to be learned by attending the group events rather than sculking in corners with private meetings that could have been done on Zoom at any time. That’s a bit unfair, I know there are things to discuss, but you know what I mean.
Topics included: how to prepare for a successful FAIM audit; advice on digitalising your business; how movers can gain the upper hand in negotiations with customers; how to use FIDI to market your business; the new FIDI netting system; the new Carbon Calculator created to help movers report emissions accurately to the authorities and their corporate customers; how to handle crises but at a company and global level; how to build a young resilient workforce; and unlocking the potential of AI. I attended as many of these as I could, took part in one and found something useful and interesting in them all. That said, hard conclusions are hard to find in these group sessions, but they do get people thinking. Sometimes a little inspiration can go a long way.
The keynote speaker, immediately following Roll Call, was Lucas Simons, a consultant specialising in sustainable business transformation. His message was simple, as all messages should be: nothing will change unless we change the rules of the game. He had five suggestions: start measuring your sustainability footprint and commit to a vision, e.g. zero emissions by 2050; create a green move standard; don’t try to get everyone on board, focus on those who want to do it; use the help of other organisations; and activate clients so they demand greener services ...
Photos:
Top - Delegates gather in Edinburgh.
Bottom - Addressing the Haggis.
Click here to read the full story in The Mover magazine.