Reflections on the Future
Reflections on the Future
Recently, Steve Jordan, from The Mover, met up with Gordon Bell, Chairman of Asian Tigers, who has returned to the UK after a brilliant career in the East. Steve shares his discussion with him about Gordon’s experiences in moving back to England and some of his astute thoughts on the future for the relocation industry.
Transition Back to the UK
At 65, Gordon Bell, who has spent over three years now in the UK, hardly looks tired, much less aged. His relocation to the UK, due to his wife’s desire to be closer to her parents in Cheshire, was a very big move for him, having spent quite some time in Singapore. He had expected to retire and be able to spend more time with Eric Lim, Chairman of K.C. Dat in Singapore persuaded him to stay on in London because his strategic position could better use his role for the company’s main trading lanes in the US and Europe.
Managing People Post-Pandemic
Gordon expressed his misgivings about the labour market now that the pandemic was over—particularly, how people seemed to want to work from home. While congested living conditions in Asia make going to an office comparatively more attractive for some, others liked the flexibility that working from home offered. This has been a potential labor issue, particularly in relation to the move manager role that is very highly stressed with Northern disrupted ports and demanding clients. The lack of these professionals holds firms to endlessly retrain new blood, adding to operational pressures.
Technological Advances in Relocation
He emphasized the increased usage of technology in the relocation business and claimed that in the near future, a number of their services would adapt to app usage. With technology making some of the services easier, companies would be forced to create new price points for their customers to ensure profit-making. This would mean charging a premium price for arguably more crucial services such as packing. Despite this, Gordon stated that there was always a place for face-to-face contact, touting the importance of having a mix between digital marketing and traditional contact methods.
The Role of Conferences
The pandemic has really changed everything about industry conferences. For Gordon, most companies are wondering if they need to have physical meetings for their events. Indeed, he had thought about cost savings in relation to reduced travel and participation. He still remembered, however, those personal relationships made in the course of time from such meetings as very important. As a board member of FIDI, he will therefore go only to all the significant conferences—only the ones that bring more value. He stressed that what was important was what the associations could do for the people, and wished for greater cooperation in the implementation of projects, including environmental policy.
The New Generation in Industry
Now, concerning the young generation that represents the backbone of the industry, Gordon has witnessed a more technical, less personally fulfilling work environment. He still finds hope and excitement with groupings like the FIDI 39 Club, which is full of young professionals involved and fulfilled by their work.
Thinking of Retirement
Gordon’s move to the UK could have been retirement, though his passion for the industry keeps him active. He shared with me the story of a colleague who, after retirement, felt extremely disconnected; the psychological blow from going to such a high-octane professional life is not something to be taken lightly. In contrast, Gordon loves this balance of working from home and being able to spend time with his wife, so this transition wasn’t too much of a shock. With his new appointment to the FIDI Board, he’ll be busy giving back to the industry in some fashion for a long while yet.
Final Thoughts
Gordon’s reflection shows tempered optimism with a realistic view of the future. His dedication to keeping active and engaged, together with his insights strategically, places him as one of the important leaders in the industry of relocation. His story about not letting “the old man in” is really a metaphor for his approach to life and work; one can see how he fights to be vibrant and relevant.
The continued intensification of Gordon Bell in the dual roles he plays in the UK and the global relocation industry makes for an exciting story of resilience, adaptation, and leadership looking ahead.
You can check the interview on The Mover.
