#SUSTAINABLEMOVES Elevating expertise with mentorship The FIDI 39 Clubs Mentorship Programme was set up last year to inspire and develop the next generation of movers, with hands-on guidance from experienced mentors from within the industry. FIDI 39 Club Vice President Juan Guillermo Daz speaks to mentors and mentees about the success of the first round of the programme and looks forward to the results from the next stage M Juan Guillermo Daz, FIDI 39 Club Vice President Xenia Kostara, Celebrity International Movers ore than a year ago, the FIDI 39 Club Board decided to start a new programme in a bid to improve the prospects of our industrys youngest members from all over the world. After discussing among ourselves and looking at best practices in other industries, the idea of the 39 Club Mentorship programme was born to connect and develop skills among our members. Since then, the mentorship programme has become a powerful tool for personal and professional development, that opens the door to a wealth of insights, knowledge, and innovative solutions - often way beyond what members signed up for at the start. We understand that in an era defined by global connectivity, mentorship schemes that transcend geographical boundaries play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of our industry and professional skills development. The FIDI 39 Club Mentorship Programme stands as a beacon of progress, fostering a community of professionals who are poised to lead with confidence and competence on the international stage. In our field, where international interactions are the norm, cultural sensitivity is a keystone for success. Working with mentors from various countries, gives mentees invaluable insights into the nuances of communication, negotiation styles, and business practices. Cultural competence facilitates smoother negotiations and builds stronger, more meaningful relationships with clients and partners worldwide. The first round of mentorships showed they boosted participants performance and their companies all-round quality, too. We launched the next autumn programme soon after, with the support of the FIDI Academy, where the Academys manager, Chantal Fera, developed bespoke sessions for the mentors, helping them focus their efforts and giving them direction on how best to carry out their role. During this second round, we matched 10 couples members of the FIDI community who had decided to participate. Here are the thoughts of some of our mentors and mentees. Xenia Kostara, of Celebrity International Movers, said: A mentorship programme improves the quality of my professional life in various ways, but the most important for me is in giving guidance and direction. It also brings networking opportunities: mentors often have extensive professional networks, and they can introduce you to their connections. This can be great for career growth. Tuomas Katainen, of Victor Ek, added that mentors have invaluable experience within all professional and even personal areas of growth that they are willing to share and give a leg-up to the new generation. Mentor for a second time Brian Loud, of Planes, said his main motivation for participating in the programme is because I want to share my experience with people newer to the industry and help promote, nurture, and retain this talent in the world of moving and mobility. Linda Rovekamp, of De Haan a first-time 39 Club mentor - said: I am an advocate for sharing knowledge and helping others grow in this industry, I feel this is Brian Loud, Planes Gabriela Humeniuk from LiftVan International Linda Rovekamp, DeHann Jos Pena, Mercovan 56 FF312 Dec_Feb 23 pp56-57 FIDI 39 Club.indd 56 05/12/2023 12:49