Sister and brother team at Welcome Service: Laetitia and Guillaume Bédat
Created in 1990, Welcome Service was one of the very first relocation companies in the area. They have built their reputation and successful growth on a trademark combination of highly personalised service, dedication to client satisfaction and an uncompromising standard of ethics. With an unparalleled body of experience and local knowledge, Welcome Service has just one mission: to work closely with each client, ensuring smooth, stress-free installation and integration in French-speaking Switzerland. I met up with the sister and brother team and realised very quickly that family plays a big role in how they function as a team and with their clients.
I hope you enjoyed their interview as much as I did.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and about Welcome Service
Laetitia and Guillaume: Our mother founded the company 25 years ago, her idea was born from her own personal experience. She herself was a trailing spouse, had to move many times and often lacked the support and structure that is so necessary when discovering either a new country or city. At the same time she was convinced that people relocating to a new country were looking for much more than logistics even if expertly executed. The need was for a relocation service that would combine expertise with empathy for each client’s individual circumstances as well as excellence in fulfilling their requirements.
So she created in 1990 one of the very first relocation companies in the area. Our mother was perfect for the job. She had an innate sense of service, an eye for detail and a tenacious personality, qualities that each member of our team is still sharing.
What got you into relocation?
Laetitia: I joined 11 years ago having completed the Hotel Management School in Geneva and then a career in Human Resources. I wanted a new challenge and my mother was looking for help so it seemed the perfect time for me to join the family business. Like all our team members and particularly our consultants, I have been carefully trained before being “allowed” to accompany a client in the field. The first one I had the pleasure to assist will always remain in my memory and quickly I knew that relocation would become part of my life.
I am now the Managing Director and have managed the company since 1st January 2010.
Guillaume: I joined a year ago after having spent 5 years in sales and purchasing for large corporations. I wanted to do something different and hence joined Laetitia in 2014. I am responsible for Business Development. Laetitia and I have two completely different approaches, which makes it very interesting for the company.
What sets Welcome Service apart?
Laetitia and Guillaume: Much has changed since 1990. The Internet and social media have made many things easier, but with information overload, trust has become even more of an issue. We deem human contact to be imperative and therefore believe in giving our clients the assurance of strong, family values. We are a family company: built by those who know how to manage a close-knit ‘family’ of talented professionals making up the Welcome Service team. Most of our team have been with us since the beginning - we really live and breathe family in our business, it’s in our DNA. Our clients are not numbers, subsequently our service is run in a very human way, if you don’t like people and you don't have empathy you can’t do this job. We are also a good size team, which can successfully oversee a great number of arrivals at any given time, with experienced individuals highly knowledgeable on all aspects of relocation. And last but not least, we always commit to results, which means that we never give up and do not stop working on a mandate until our clients are fully installed at their full satisfaction.
What do you believe is important for expats to know before moving to Geneva?
Laetitia: … that they will enjoy themselves a lot living in the area and be very sad when the time comes to leave Geneva. This is not an idle word but an assertion based on the observation of some thousands of expats during the past 25 years. Expats should also know that they will gain time and motivation in using our services since our objective is to give our clients a stress-free move with no settling-in worries so that they can be fully effective from day one of their new assignment.
Guillaume: Gosh where do we begin when so many things are different to their home life:
communication, relationship-building, customs. Hence support for the individual or the family as they move to their new environment varies from one client to another. We tailor-make our service depending on the client.
Our services include:
• Discovery of the new environment
• Identifying the future “home sweet home” and all negotiations related to this home
• Identifying schooling and childcare options
• Settling in formalities such as utilities, telephone, internet connections but also bank account opening, insurance, customs clearance, driving license, etc.
• Recommendations for doctors, dentists and other services and amenities
Finally and although not applicable before moving to Geneva, expats should know if they run a company that we also deliver:
• Immigration support
• Group moves
• Office search
• Property management for corporation
• Departure service
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Laetitia: Don’t sell something you can’t deliver
Guillaume: Your reputation takes years to make and seconds to break.
What's the next challenge for relocation services? What's next for you?
Laetitia and Guillaume:
In a more competitive market where competition is increasingly fierce, our challenge is to continue to provide a quality service to our existing customers and to differentiate us from the competition by providing a customized and personalized service based on a thorough knowledge of our profession.
We have been very lucky and have had long lasting relationships with our clients. So now we are expanding throughout Swiss Romande and hoping to assure the future with the next generation. We are the only relocation company being run by the second generation. Relationships are important to us, we want to continue our story with all our clients and with our team.
Reference: Welcome Service http://www.welcome-service.ch/
Contact Welcome Service Sàrl by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bio
Sunita is an Executive Coach, Trainer and Consultant. She is of Indian origin and was born in London before moving to Geneva in 1992. She has a Psychology background (specialising in Occupational Psychology) and a Post Graduate in the Development and Training of Adults. She also completed a Masters in Ressources Humaines, Coaching et Gestion des Carrières at the University of Geneva.
During her 25 years experience Sunita's drive has always been to help people to do their best and hence led her to create Walk The Talk.
In her free time Sunita is a Mentor for the Branson Center of Entrepreneurship and a proud member of the School in The Cloud Team.
