The Bigger Picture: Logistics Resolutions

January 31, 2005

31 January 2005

The Bigger Picture: Logistics Resolutions

The following article is excerpted from the 28 January 2005 issue of “Canadian Transportation and Logistics” .

I thought that the best way to kick off the New Year would be to provide readers with some industry-wide resolutions. These are some thoughts about what you might like to consider on your calendar for 2005.

Open door policy.
Here's a thought that I think needs some momentum. If you are buying transportation services then make it a point to see someone new at least once a month. It will help you understand the new players and business offerings available. I always wondered why it's often so difficult to get an appointment with people who are entrusted to buy services for their company. You and your company do not grow if the door is shut. At the very least, an open door will give you new contacts, which are very important in this industry. Once a month means 12 new people/contacts or service offerings for 2005. Please note that seeing the same person who has worked for ten carriers this year does not count.

Get up and away from that desk.
Attend seminars or industry events. Get involved in this great industry and attend at least one event for each of the next six months. Go to a trade show, join a related organization or even host a sponsored facility tour and be part of the learning process for others. You can never have enough fridge magnets.

Take a course.
When was the last time you took a course in anything let alone an industry course? Embrace life-long learning. This industry is changing so fast. Perhaps if you are new it might be a chance to understand the fundamentals. Everyone is capable of expanding his or her horizons. School is also a great place to network.

Mentor a colleague.
Teach someone the wisdom gained in your venture through the logistics life cycle. Help someone get a leg up on this industry especially those 'wide eyed' enough to want to make a career of it. We need youth and enthusiasm. I owe a lot to those who were there to teach me along the way. Giving back where I can is the least I can do. There are many really great younger stars coming up through the ranks. Sharing just one of your "hard knock" stories may save them two.

Sponsor something worthwhile.
Why not donate either your time or finances to a worthwhile organization? Minor hockey, food banks, community events or organizations including fund-raisers, Santa Claus parades, reading to those who can't? You won't have to go far to find something worthwhile that could use your support. How about going in to the high school and talking about your careers in logistics? Remember your high school days? (You may not want to share that part).

Read an article a week from a trade journal.
Heck, reading this one counts so you only have 51 more. Inform yourself about the latest trends, review an ad or two, and keep abreast of the people moving around, of the industry issues and challenges. Why not write an article? I could tell you that "if I can do it anyone can" but I won't. (Back to that high school thing).

Complete at least one industry-related survey.
It could be a customer survey from your logistics service provider or one of … [the] famous surveys from this trade magazine. The more folks we can get to respond to these surveys, the more accurate the results. It's also a great mirror of how you are doing when compared to others.

Self-Assess.
Continue to assess yourself on at least a weekly basis. What might you do better if given the opportunity both with your job and your career? Speak to others and ask how they see you. If there is a critical aspect of your job that you lack then why not search out solutions to better yourself? We can't all be experts in all subjects but we can learn to get a better understanding on many.

Last But Not Least: Stop Assuming.
Never assume that you and your firm are doing something the only way possible. Never assume that you are completely informed on an issue or topic. Never assume that learning stops wh


Topic(s): 
Canadian Economy & Politics
Information Source: 
Canadian News Channel
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