F E AT U RE FF: How would you describe your companys business ethos? FA: Bliss was born with the aim of distinguishing itself with our values of excellence, ethics and fast resolution of problems as they arise in the transfer of families around the world. My experience in the sector, combined with the freshness of our team, allows us to really understand the needs of the customers and respond quickly and precisely, while keeping an eye on the values that are important to the relocating family. The Bliss team working to understand and respond quickly and precisely to the needs of their customers A STATE OF BLISS New Italian FIDI Affiliate Bliss Moving is targeting that sweet spot between expanding its business volumes and retaining the values that are important to families on the move. FIDI Focus speaks to Francesco Argir, chief executive officer FRANCESCO ARGIR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BLISS MOVING Companies and people today are weborientated and want instant answers and information to make quick decisions FF: What are the characteristics of your local market? FA: With regards to commercial (non-government) international removals, the Italian market is split among a significant number of small- and medium-sized removal companies some would say too many. The largest 20 per cent control about 80 per cent of the market, which is fairly normal. The Italian market is highly competitive on price. Although there are several established removals firms with long histories, there is still room for substantial growth for those moving companies that can recognise the clients or assignees specific needs and tailor their services accordingly. FF: How has your countrys moving industry evolved over the past 10 years? FA: Removal companies in Italy have become more international, some through organic sales growth, many through acquisitions. Several of the well-known names have maintained and consolidated their portion of the market but some that have not followed the new wave have closed. Meanwhile, several new companies have formed some with the remnants of the closed companies and thanks to experience, intuition and willingness to change, have prospered. Bliss is one such company. FF: Where do you see the biggest chance for growth? FA: In understanding the sales needs of the new clientele. Companies and people today are web-orientated and want instant answers and information to make quick decisions. 80 FF294 DecJan20 pp80-81 New Affiliate.indd 80 FF: What are your main strengths as an organisation? FA: Bliss biggest strength lies in our people who work every day to satisfy our customers. We are equipped with management and monitoring systems that continuously improve performance and provide ongoing training to update our team. That said, no-one can teach you enthusiasm, ambition and the ability to accelerate. The secret is to surround oneself with people who share the values and the vision of the enterprise 100 per cent. FF: Why did you decide to join FIDI? FA: Joining FIDI was part of our strategic plan, from the beginning, 11 years ago. As a start-up, we wanted to understand better our direction and reception in the market. We wanted to get a firm fix on who we are and what we wanted to do. Everything has its time and we decided the time was ripe to enter this influential circle. Bliss is ready in every respect to align itself with the best companies in the world, improve with them and become a true asset to the international moving industry. FF: How did you find the FAIM process? FA: Bliss was founded on quality principles, and set up its management system and .obtained the ISO9001 quality management standard within the first six months of operation. For 11 years, we have continued to work with these same principles and have improved each day investing in resources, processes and infrastructure. The FIDI FAIM process for us was a further control check for a system that was already in place and was fully tested. At the same time, the FAIM process gave us an opportunity to improve further those aspects related to the new data security rules, anti-trust and anticorruption regulations. FF: Are you looking forward to playing an active role in the FIDI Association? FA: Without a doubt. For us, joining FIDI is not an arrival but a starting point. We are ambitious and we know exactly who we are and where we want to go. We know both the market and our fellow movers. We know how to go beyond expectations and amaze with new concepts and products so as to be seen as unique. FF: What are the future challenges for your business? FA: The most motivating challenge for an entrepreneur in our field today is to adapt his company to the needs of todays customer who is very different compared with 20 years ago. They communicate differently, choose differently, buy differently. Our sales and marketing have profoundly changed and will continue to evolve along with the customer as they must. WWW. F I D I . OR G 20/11/2019 13:38