Sharing knowledge for growth

Earlier this year, 60 colleagues travelled twice from their respective home cities to meet in Antwerp for two-day training courses. Ernst Jörg, father of COO Marcel, took the initiative to provide the trainings, get to know everyone and forge new bonds. Ernst is the founder of Packimpex and an excellent trainer who was there at the inception of FIDI Academy, a highly praised educational institution specialized in the moving world. Time for an introduction.

In 1977, you founded a moving company that is the current market leader in Switzerland. What is the secret to your success?

Ernst Jörg: “Many factors have contributed to Packimpex’s success. Hard work, a great atmosphere among colleagues, and a healthy dose of good luck are the main ingredients; not being afraid of change is probably just as important. Change is a constant factor in today’s world, and our clients’ needs are actually constantly evolving. If we keep doing everything the same way we did it yesterday, we would lose our connection to them.”

How was this training initiative born?

“Management decided to bring people together to celebrate the launch of a new era for Gosselin Mobility after the merger with DT Moving and Packimpex Moving. We realized the need for strategic alignment and took the opportunity to train employees in core aspects of moving while communicating the updated strategic plan. We felt it was an excellent opportunity to show that we can be one company and one big winning team.”

What exactly did the training consist of?

“We covered the entire process involved in a door-to-door move, from the initial contact with the client to the after-sales activities. I wanted all of the participants to be aware of the complexity a move entails. Several of the steps were given extra attention, such as surveys, file management, time management and insurance.”

“There are always several different stakeholders involved in a move, each of which has their own set of expectations. Being able to manage all these expectations well is often the key to success. This is why the training addressed personal communication. A phone call can often solve a lot more than sending an email.”

What kind of feedback did you get?

“Everyone was very motivated and enthusiastic about the training, that much was obvious. I was amazed at the participants’ potential and their extensive experience. A colleague-friend of mine once told me that Gosselin is a sleeping giant that isn’t even aware of its giant status. I agree with him. If we can align our company cultures, IT and management, the sky will be the limit.”

About Gosselin Mobility

Gosselin Mobility is a leading provider of international moving and relocation services. Our clients are  multinationals, relocation management companies, expats, diplomats, military personnel and private persons. Gosselin Mobility has 56 offices in 34 countries and has a strong presence in Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia.