RELO Roundtable…a gathering place

Anyone familiar with the development of RELO Roundtable knows that the current format consists of two pillars of a three-part business plan to introduce a reliable online search vertical for those contemplating any type of local or long distance move.

The “rating and review component” is still a work in progress.

Since opening the doors in 2008, the goal has always been to become the most credible, most respected, and more referred online resource in the domestic or international relocation arena.

Doing my research in the niche during the last four years, I've found several other enterprising entrepreneurs whom I've often suspected where peeking over my shoulder at my start-up notebook, listening in at my SBA class presentations, or else were silently lurking in the shadows in my dreams while I was designing my own specialized user-generated feedback vertical.

The online search tools that a few of these 'industry outsiders' have developed to help inexperienced, uninformed consumers make better purchasing decisions come about as close as you can get to what I hope to one day introduce at RELO Roundtable.  

For instance, when MoversReviewed.com opened in January, 2012, I studied the structure, content, and amount of research the MR team spent putting together their consumer friendly search portal before I endorsed their efforts and agreed to display their widget all 500+ pages at RELORT.

Since then the user friendly 'find-a-mover' site has become one of the most current and complete (and still extremely affordable) sortable consumer-advocate directory listings that contains nearly all active, licensed, and reputable local moving companies and van line agents in the US and Canada.

Hidden nuggets of inspiration

Last August I happened upon another “diamond in the rough”. Unlike most of the other find-a-mover vendor resources based in the U.S., however, this one is the brainchild of a couple from Down Under.

GoodMigrations was created by two frustrated expats faced with their own long-distance relocation dilemmas and uncertain vendor selection decisions.

The goal of their free consumer help platform is to help take the stress out of moving abroad for others trying to find a reputable international mover, freight forwarder, or third-party move manager when planning a international relocation, temporary overseas job, education or training assignment; foreign retirement, or long overdue personal repatriation.

Currently, interested movers/removers can create a free profile for themselves at the site to showcase their company.

Before jumping in, however, some of those with failing marks already on their virtual report card may want to read the site rules and terms of service before they sign up. Particularly if their online service performance and customer service record make them an easy-to-find target for bad reviews. 

Many of today's extremely critical social media aficionados can hit a bulls-eye every time they post something.  And even if they don't, the damage done to a company's WOM (word-of-mouse) reputation online can be long-lasting, expensive to fix, or, perhaps, even irreparable.  

As this new “rating and review” platform grows in popularity, those involved in planning a personal international relocation or corporate mobility transfer overseas won't have a hard time finding out who has a black eye and why.

Shortly after contacting GoodMigrations' co-founder, Adam Vagley, and researching how he his partner started their consumer friendly site, I asked for a copy of the widget code so I could help spread word about his new venture. You'll find the review tool in the right sidebar on every page at RELORT.

Feed the need!

Much like MoversReviewed, GoodMigrations isn't perfect! 

It too is still a work-in-progress! It'll be interesting to see how consumers use this new tool to provide feedback on the relocation product and service suppliers hired to handle their international move.

It will be even more interesting to see how the moving industry's sales, marketing, and operations professionals respond to this type of somewhat more objective user feedback rating system.

Whether you're a established transportation or relocation service provider, or just an anxious and confused online shopper searching for a diamond in the rough in your neck of the woods, I encourage you to drop by GoodMigrations and take look around.

This is the kind of specialized niche vertical that responsible and respectable moving and storage company owners around the world need to promote their product and services in the virtual marketplace.  I think you'll like what they've built so far!

For more information on the project read Adam's elevator sales pitch, GoodMigrations helps expats move abroad with confidence, which is posted in RELO Roundtable's popular "Consumer Help" category. 

It helps explain why I feel that way. 

Whadda think?

Related Articles:

A Case for Disclosure – RELO Roundtable

MoversReviewed.com helps consumers find best movers – RELO Roundtable

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