Our relocation industry is becoming more competitive and dynamic day by day, requiring businesses to be innovative and adaptable to changing market conditions. One of the most critical aspects of the relocation industry is finding dependable partners to trust with our customers’ goods. Below are some best practices I have found to be helpful.

Research Potential Partners: The first step in finding dependable partners is to research potential partners thoroughly. Extensive research will help you identify potential partners who have a good reputation, are financially stable, and have a history of delivering quality services. The IAMX Directory is one easy way to find available members and determine their affiliations and validity. Other ways to conduct research on potential partners include:

• Checking online reviews and ratings;

• Reviewing their website and online presence;

• Requesting references from their past clients;

• Checking their certifications and licenses, IAMX directory can be easy help here; and

• Conducting background checks on key personnel.

Check their Insurance Coverage: It is essential to ensure that a partner has adequate insurance coverage to protect our customers’ goods during relocation. Before partnering with any company, ask for proof of insurance coverage and verify it with their insurance provider. The insurance coverage should include:

• Liability insurance to cover damages to goods during transportation and storage;

• Workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees in case of injury; and

• Auto insurance to cover any accidents that occur during transportation.

Understand Their Service Offering: Before partnering with a relocation company, it is essential to understand their service offering. This includes the types of services they offer, the equipment they use, and their processes for handling goods compared to what you or your customer expect. Some of the services to look for include:

• Packing and unpacking services;

• Transportation services;

• Storage solutions;

• Handyman; and

• Special handling services for fragile or high-value goods.

Evaluate Their Customer Service: A dependable partner should have excellent customer service, crisp and prompt. This includes being responsive, providing regular updates, and addressing any concerns or issues that arise promptly. To evaluate their customer service, consider:

• How quickly they respond to inquiries;

• The quality of their communication;

• Their willingness to address concerns or issues; and

• Their level of transparency and honesty.

Check Their History: A company’s history is a reliable indicator of their ability to deliver quality services consistently. Before partnering with any company, check their history by reviewing their customer feedback, performance metrics, and industry accolades. Some of the ways to check their history include:

• Reviewing their customer feedback and testimonials;

• Checking their performance metrics, such as on-time delivery rates and claims ratios; and

• Reviewing their industry accolades and recognition, such as awards and certifications.

Evaluate Their Technology Infrastructure: Technology plays an essential role in the relocation industry, from tracking shipments to managing inventory. A dependable partner should have a robust technology infrastructure that enables them to provide accurate and timely information to their clients. To evaluate their technology infrastructure, consider:

• The types of technology they use, such as GPS tracking and warehouse management systems;

• The level of integration between their technology systems; and

• The security protocols they have in place to protect data.

Finding dependable partners in the relocation industry is critical to the success of our business and for our customer experience. By following these basic best practices, we can identify potential partners that have a good reputation, are financially stable, and have a history of delivering quality services. Remember, trust is essential in the relocation industry, and partnering with the right companies will help us build trust with our customers and ensure their goods are safe and secure during the relocation process.