Category: Interviews

Interview with Globalia Seoul

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“Military logistics is much more profitable compared to general cargoes, this is why more competitors are trying to enter into this market; in just South Korea there are more than 4,000 forwarders.”

This week we had a conversation with Mr. Willy Seong, the Executive Vice President of Heung -A Logistics, Globalia member in Seoul, South Korea. In this interview he talks about how they got into military logistics services, the challenges they face with these kinds of projects and more.

Q. Can you tell us a little about the history of Heung-A Logistics and Co?
A. Heung-A Logistics has a very complicated history. However, in brief, it was founded in 2007 as a subsidiary company of shipping line named Heung-A Shipping. It has a long record since 1961. It started its journey in 2007 when it merged with other companies under Heung-A Shipping that had been working in the logistics business since 1984.

Q. When and how did you get into the freight forwarding industry?
A. I have been working in the freight forwarding sector for 3 decades. I started my job on 1st January 1991 through open recruitment. At that time, the company name was Dongbo Express Co Ltd.

military logistics
military logistics

Q. What distinguishes Heung-A Logistics from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. First and foremost, we have many portfolios that are different from other forwarders in Seoul. We are one of the top service providers when it comes to ocean LCL consolidation between Korea and Japan. Furthermore, we have also specialized in certain items like pharmaceuticals, DG shipments, and several other strategic shipments both in air & ocean freight.

Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders in your country at the moment?
A. The main challenge in South Korea is how to survive in the market as around 4,000 forwarders are competing there. The key to this problem is to focus on personalized customer-oriented solutions and make use of all the available software for enhancing our efficiency.

Q. How is Heung-A Logistics dealing with these challenges on a daily basis?
A. We have certain specialized operations and as I just said, offering customized and value-added services are the best way to survive in the market.

Q. What would be the most significant shipment your team has handled?
A. Over the years, we have forged great connections with brokers who deal in military equipment to Africa, Middle East, South America. We handle around 10 chartered flights annually since 2015 and we have moved several huge shipments with bulk vessels to the Middle East & Africa.

‘The key to the stiff competition is to focus on personalized customer-oriented solutions and make use of all the available software for enhancing our efficiency.  

Q. What were the challenges with this shipment and how did your team overcome them?
A. While handling these kinds of goods, one needs a lot of patience as several documents & approvals are required from the government and working on them and obtaining them can be a time-consuming process. Moreover, we also need to figure out the transit points & communicate with the authorities at the destination for the smooth transfer of the shipment to the consignee’s site. Other than that, it is also difficult to get a reimbursement from the insurance companies when there is some untoward incident like theft or destruction of the military equipment.

Military logistics is much more profitable compared to general goods, this is why more competitors are trying to enter into this market and making a lower profit margin than before. This has indeed added to the challenges.

Q. Where do you see your company in 10 years?
A. Probably, a very capable junior will eventually lead my team, set a higher target, work towards achieving it and eventually make our company the number one freight forwarder not just in Seoul but in the entire country!

                                 

Interview with Simon Moore, the Membership Development Coordinator of Globalia

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“At Globalia we are like one big family with a very positive work environment that is conducive to innovation and productivity”

best freight forwarder network

This week we are publishing an interview with Simon Moore, who is the Membership Development Coordinator of Globalia Logistics Network. Simon plays a key role in researching and recruiting the best companies for membership in Globalia. His most important job consists of carefully researching the background of the members before determining if they are eligible for membership. Before joining our team, he spent five years in Italy teaching students from across the globe. With several years of experience in customer service, and results orientation, Simon believes that good communication is the key to outreach enhancement.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your experience at Globalia.
A.  I have been working with the Globalia team since day one – for almost five years now – and so far my experience here has been extremely satisfying. My colleagues at Globalia are very amicable and over the years I have learned about client research, member recruitment, the significance of clear communication, and more.

Q. How were the beginnings of Globalia?
A. The first few months are always challenging, but our experience in the freight forwarding sector allowed us to resolve the initial hurdles and we started running smoothly in just a few months. Now I can confidently state that even with the pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis of 2020, we have been able to maintain the network without compromising on our quality standards.

Q. What does your job consist of? Do you find your day-to-day tasks exciting?
A. I find my task very interesting as I am usually required to do a lot of research on the applicant companies before determining their eligibility. As the Membership Development Coordinator, I am the very first point of contact between the members and the network. My job consists of contacting potential agents and inform them about the benefits of joining Globalia. Our network already counts on over 180 independent freight forwarders in 120+ countries, who work together for increased business and it is my job to keep this number growing so as to cover many more territories in the near future.

Q. Which is the most challenging part of the job?
A. As an exclusive network, our members need to go through a meticulous selection process, whereby their financial strength, market reputation, creditworthiness, competitiveness and business volume are ascertained before they are admitted within the network. That makes our job challenging since we only accept one member out of ten that applies for Globalia’s membership. We even hire the external auditor DUN & BRADSTREET whose job it is to evaluate each potential member on our behalf. We impose these strict criteria in our selection process to create the most secure environment for our agents.

Q. In your opinion, which is the best benefit for Globalia members in terms of sales?
A. The best benefit for Globalia members in sales terms is without a doubt the referral program. If members refer their trustworthy agents, they can obtain a 25% discount on their membership – up to 4 discounts (of 25%) are applicable for each new agent, meaning that they stand a chance of paying zero membership fees for the coming year.Q. What is the most important objective of the sales team?
A. It is to increase our outreach and have ‘Virtual Offices” in all the main sea/airports across all the five continents. Apart from that we always try to ensure quality above anything else which is taken care of by our strict selection process.

“I strongly believe that operational integrity is the key to customer retention. At the end of the day it all boils down to trust and it is this trust of our members which keeps us moving forward”

Q. What do you like about working at Globalia?
A. The best part about working here is that I get to be original and exercise my creativity at all times. In order to find the most reliable agents and to offer quality customer service, Globalia employees need to work as a team. We are in touch at all times and we have frequent meetings where we discuss new ideas about how to improve our services. At Globalia we are like one big family with a very positive work environment that is conducive to innovation and productivity. Succeeding as a team has allowed us to forge bonds that over the years have turned into trust and friendship. Employees who like and trust each other are more likely to communicate well with each other, work better and achieve the objectives.

Q. How are you coping with the present work from home scenario?
A. Ever since the pandemic hit us exactly one year back, our entire team has been working from home. However, nothing has changed except for the fact that now we are working remotely and online communication is being carried out instead of in-person meetings. Our team now catches up on the cloud to carry out our day-to-day activities and coordination between every department of the network is still at the highest level.

Q. What are the values that motivate you?
A. Integrity, creativity, honesty, and courage to take bold steps are a few of my driving forces. I strongly believe that operational integrity is the key to customer retention. What matters in my line of work is to show my clients how we really care about them. At the end of the day it all boils down to trust and it is this trust of our members which keeps us moving forward. In this context I would like to quote American business author and management guru Michael LeBoeuf -“A satisfied customer is the best business strategy,”- and this exactly is my work motto!

 

Interview with Globalia Vancouver

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international logistics“The greatest success of our team has been our constant growth mindset throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be attributed to our management team’s consistent communications with the team on protocols”

This week we are publishing an interview with Ryan Kulasekare, the COO of KMR Global Logistics, Globalia member in Vancouver, Canada. In this interview he talks about the history of his organization, how they managed to function during the pandemic, the road to success of freight forwarders and many other things.
Q. When and how did you get into the freight forwarding industry?
A. Our President Randy entered the freight forwarding industry in 1995 after specializing in international shipments. I entered the industry in 2006 by working with my father Randy from a very young age, and naturally, as I grew older we decided to open KMR Global together.

Q. Can you tell us a little about the history of KMR?
A. KMR Global was established in 2018, as a result of many years of working in this sector. My father and I decided that it was time to establish our own company in this industry.

Q. When and how did you get into the freight forwarding industry?
A. Our President Randy entered the freight forwarding industry in 1995 after specializing in international shipments. I entered the industry in 2006 by working with my father Randy from a very young age, and naturally, as I grew older we decided to open KMR Global together.
Can you tell us a little about the history of KMR?
A. KMR Global was established in 2018, as a result of many years of working in this sector. My father and I decided that it was time to establish our own company in this industry.

Q. What were the challenges you had to face during your first years?
A. As a newly established company, we were and still are continuously aiming to improve ourselves. While we were fortunate enough to have an established customer base since the conception, our main concern was to ensure that no customers felt their service level was affected.

Q.What distinguishes KMR from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. Our main focus at KMR is not only to ensure that our customers are confident about our ability to provide the requested service but also to ensure that we are looking out for their best interest while handling their shipments. If our customers are successful, then in turn KMR will also be successful.

Q. Which are the latest improvements of your company in the last 5 years?
A. We recently launched a new website which has allowed us to build our online presence and share our knowledge of the industry with others. As we enter Year 3 of operations, we find a continual upward trajectory in our growth.

Q. From your own experience, which are the keys to success in the freight forwarding industry?
A. From my experience, I feel that there are two keys to success. First, it is important to focus on building a long-lasting relationship with our customers and continuously improving our ability to service their needs. Secondly, consistency is vital. The freight forwarding industry is fast-paced, and above all, customers seek reliability and the confidence that you are going to fulfill their requests.

Q. What has been the greatest success of your team so far?
A. The greatest success of our team so far has been our constant growth mindset throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This success can be attributed to our management team’s consistent communications with the team on protocols while ensuring that we are adhering to all precautions set forth by the WHO and Canadian health officials. Additionally, we have an open-door policy so that our employees can contact the management and discuss any issues or concerns that arise. The management ensures that they are handled appropriately and in a timely manner. At the end of the day, my team’s safety is my number one concern so we make sure that they stay informed and supported while we continue to push forward is our primary focus.

Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders at the moment and how are you dealing with them?
A. Technology- trying to adapt to the continuous technological innovations can be a challenge as there is always something new. However, I do feel that these innovations ultimately enable growth and increase efficiency so we are always trying to figure out ways of implementing these new technologies to improve our services for our clients.Q. Do you think the pandemic will open new opportunities for freight forwarders in the digital field? Which ones?
A. I think freight forwarders will now have to adapt to the digital direction which the industry is moving towards. Many government documents must now be submitted digitally, and many customers are even working from their homes. This should push freight forwarders to be more virtually accessible for customers, and provide tracking, and document submission to allow ease of use for their customers. Simplifying the job for customers will allow them to be free with their time and focus on their own success.

‘‘From my experience, there are two keys to success. First, it is important to focus on building a long-lasting relationship with our customers and continuously improving our ability to service their needs.

Secondly, consistency is vital. The freight forwarding industry is fast-paced, and above all, customers seek reliability and the confidence that you are going to fulfill their requests.”

In your opinion, what does the freight forwarding industry is lacking? How would you think it should improve?
A. The freight forwarding industry lacks a customer focus. I see that many companies are only concerned with their operations rather than working with the customer’s best interest is in mind. We ensure we understand what the customers’ needs are and we always put them first. It is also my experience that the freight forwarding industry lacks friendly service so many other industries excel in. Often when calling a freight forwarder or dispatch agent customers are greeted with a flat tone and very little pleasantries, or even worse you are met with rudeness and rigidity over a small request. KMR looks to do away with this kind of behaviours and we support our customers in any way possible in a friendly and polite manner.

Q. What would be the most significant shipment your team has handled?
A. This is a difficult question for me as I believe every shipment to be significant. It is important that each and every customer, big or small, is met with the same level of attention to detail and provided with the same quality of services. It is not the size of the shipment but the quality of the service that our team holds important.

Q. How do you see your company in 10 years?
A. In ten years, I look forward to seeing my team grow as individuals as we work together to provide peace of mind to all current and future customers! It is the team that makes the KMR brand strong, so being able to watch our employees grow alongside my father and me has been and will continue to be unbelievably rewarding.Globalia members with shipments to/from Vancouver, Canada, are invited to get in touch with their professional team.

 

Interview with Tuan Roshan, Sales Manager of SEDRES TRADING & MARITIME SERVICES

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logistics partner“In order to mitigate the impact of delays and cancelled shipments, we are considering reducing certain dimensions of the chain. At the same time, in order to improve volumes and revenue, we are focusing on adding more value to our services and making the chain processes more efficient”

We have recently interviewed Tuan Roshan, the Freight Forwarding Manager of SEDRES MARITIME, Globalia member in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. In this interview, he explains the origin and history of his company as well as the challenges faced by freight forwarders during these difficult times of pandemic, among several other things.

Q. Can you tell us a little about the history of Sedres Maritime?
A. Sedres Maritime was established in 1993 and it has been expanding its services to currently provide complete marine and integrated logistics solutions to major clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our services cover shipping agency, crew change, freight forwarding, land transportation, customs clearance, ship handling for deck, engine, technical and provision supplies, construction, as well as diving, engine repair, LSA/FFA servicing, etc. through our partners. We offer specialized services to meet our client requirements.

Q. When and how did you get into the freight forwarding industry?
A. We started with freight forwarding activities in 2006 with a focus on petrochemical products, along with transportation of machinery and spare parts to the industrial city of Jubail. Today, the Freight Forwarding Department acts as a backbone for the organization by supporting other divisions of Sedres while supplying other independent global clients.

Q. What distinguishes Sedres Marine from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. Our pool of expert staff has experience in the industry from 10 to 25 years. We handle DAP, DDP, Ex-works, Door to Door, Exhibition cargo, ATA Carnet and many other shipments. Our commitment to provide solutions to our esteemed clients is the motivation for every move that we make.

Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders regarding the pandemic at the moment?
A. Currently, we are facing issues with regular and in-person visits to customers, meeting other stakeholders – like the authorities – for solving specific issues, and inspecting materials due to restricted/limited movements. Additionally, some orders are being delayed or cancelled.

Q. How is the freight forwarding industry tackling these challenges?
A. Technological tools are our main support in these challenging times. Physical visits are being reduced and the whole coordination is being managed through emails, videoconference calls or other apps. Government support and some initiatives they are offering are also helping us greatly.

Q. How is SEDRES dealing with these challenges on a daily basis?
A. COVID has been and is a global challenge. People around the world are adapting to new normalcy and we are also taking advantage of the opportunity to review our processes and to introduce positive changes and make the chain logistics more efficient to achieve better results. Our teams have a more pro-active attitude now to ensure there is no breakdown in the chain and we are able to anticipate to issues that we may see forthcoming.

Q. How do you think the technology is changing the freight forwarders industry?
A. Technology is certainly enabling businesses to run with minimal human resources, and it is making the chain logistics more efficient. However, several platforms need further integration and there are challenges like cybercrime and networking issues that remain unsolved.Q. What would be the most significant shipment your team has handled? What were the challenges your team had to overcome?
A. We arranged complex logistics for a few aero engines and industrial vessels. Coping with issues like route planning while COVID movement restrictions and continued quarantine requirements was a big challenge to overcome. Nevertheless, with our team’s commitment and dedication, we successfully executed them.		 “Our commitment to provide solutions to our esteemed clients is the motivation for every move that we make. 
                                 

Q. Where do you see SEDRES in 10 years?

A. We see ourselves working with other sectors within the maritime industry and increasing our presence globally, covering a wider geographical area of the world. Our aim is to keep expanding, and we are already working in that direction.

 

“FreightViewer is different than other online marketplaces. We are proud to work with Globalia in this project”

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After establishing the partnership with Shipco, FreightViewer Department interviewed Morten Bach- Global Chief Commercial Officer at Shipco Transport- to analyse the current situation and the upcoming digital changes in logistics.

Speed in quoting is essential in a market where the difference between one quote or the other has become minimum. This means that, in some cases, who quotes the faster will have the shipment. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to develop tools such as FreightViewer, states Mr. Morten Bach. He also adds that technology has disrupted in logistics and everything is happening amazingly fast, changing the landscape of logistics.

Mr. Bach also adds that the speed of the market is one of the other big changes in logistics, this is forcing traditional freight forwarders to change their way of thinking. They need to find the strategy to send shipments from A to B as fast as possible, achieve faster information sharing or better order management. And this can be done using different gateways than the traditional.

Under his point of view, it’s important to become global, reaching key partners and the right technology. Being part of a network, which offers a tool such as FreightViewer, means that small-medium companies will be able to become global, being much more competitive and, with the help of technology, being able to handle much more tasks along the process, optimizing their resources. Mr. Morten says: “With the pandemic the digitization process has been accelerated and those companies who didn’t have a great technology strategy have got caught by the new world-wide situation, not being able to serve their clients in the same way or the way they should”

Mr. Morten Bach pointed out the importance of visibility in logistics in order to take control over all shipments. According to his words “it’s essential to provide several options for a shipment to the client, if you don’t give various options to them, they will go somewhere else. Clients need what they need and if you don’t offer it, they will try another option”

To finalize, Mr. Morten states that, currently, there are two different sectors in logistics. Those that refuse to use digital services and those that only use digital resources. This means that we need to develop two different customer strategies, providing service to both groups, but never forgetting that digital trends will be extremely helpful in both strategies.

You are able to find Shipco rates directly through your FreightViewer profile accessing into your member area and personalize these adding your own profit margin. Please contact amartin@globalialogisticsnetwork.com to obtain further information.

Interview with Andrea Martin, Globalia’s FreightViewer Coordinator

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freight agents networkAndrea Martin is the main point of contact for FreightViewer, she coordinates the Department and is in charge of training Globalia members on the use of this exclusive TMS, assisting them with any doubts plus improving the software based on their feedback and needs. Before joining Globalia, Andrea worked in customer service, acquiring the necessary skills to solve client issues, providing technical support, and gaining a wide range of knowledge in communication. In this interview, Andrea talks about the advantages and new upgrades of Globalia’s exclusive member TMS: FreightViewer.

Q. Could you explain to us a little bit more about FreightViewer?

FreightViewer is a exclusive-member TMS Globalia Logistics Network has developed to offer a digital infrastructure that allows the establishment of an automated data transfer of carrier rates and tariffs. It enhances the accuracy of the quotation while significantly reducing its processing time, from a number of days to less than a minute. To put it simply, it allows members to organize their rates with their local and transport charges on a single platform.

Q. Which do you think are the advantages of FreightViewer?

The main advantage for Globalia members is that FreightViewer will allow them to be at the cutting edge of technology and compete with the stalwarts in the industry by digitalizing the majority of business processes. All data needed for developing a shipment will be stored in the software thus helping the users to come up with an accurate door-to-door quotation and provide immediate service to their customers and generate documents ready to be sent immediately. Additionally, their clients can go almost through all the logistics processes by themselves through the website for customers where different quotes can be compared quickly and easily. Moreover, each customer can be classified into different Client Categories with different mark-ups (profit margin), meaning members can personalize quotes for each customer. And all of these complex services are included in their membership fee, at no additional cost.

Q. Which are the new updates of FreightViewer?

Our aim is to integrate the main co-loader’s buying tariffs on a global scale into FreightViewer. That is why we have signed an agreement with SHIPCO to offer their LCL buying rates online through FreightViewer and we are in the process of negotiating the same with WEBCARGONET which will enable us to upload and update more than 14 million buying airfreight rates to FreightViewer.

We have a partnership with Onus Cargo Services, an insurance broker that offers rates from different insurance companies. This means you can ensure your cargo directly through FreightViewer, saving a lot of time in double typing information. Plus, the idea we have is to reach competitive insurance rates for Globalia members.

Q. How do you think FreightViewer contributes to Globalia members?

Globalia is the first international freight forwarding network with global coverage to launch instant quoting ability for its members.

The technological impact on the logistics sector in the last few years has been considerable, most of the top players in this industry are investing in enhancing their services by implementing a well-rounded digital strategy. That is why Globalia’s management has decided to design a customized software that allows members to interchange business within the network in the easiest and quickest possible way. The main difference with our competitors is the global coverage we offer. Members from more than 120 countries can use our TMS.

Q. What can members do with FreightViewer?

A. They can manage rates, put together personalized quotations, and send them quickly or save them in pdf. They can also follow up with their customers and customize their website. And everything by using a very intuitive platform.

Q. Why do you think technology is so important in the freight forwarders industry

A. The pandemic has brought a very important fact to our attention- Freight Forwarders need to digitalize.  Otherwise, they will fall behind the competition. Over the last year, many new digital freight forwarders like FLEXPORT, FREIGHTOS, FREIGHTHUB, etc. have invested millions in digitization, so now there is no turning back, it’s not the future anymore, it’s the present.

We are one of the very few international freight forwarding networks to successfully cope with the technological changes while providing our members with the opportunity to compete with the largest multinationals and everything is being done through FreightViewer.

 Q. Which do you think that are the main challenges for freight forwarders to digitalize their platforms?

A. The main problem is the huge amount of information managed in one single shipment, also, the volatility of the market is an important problem. But I think there is a new market emerging with a new customer type that is much more impatient and demanding than before. So, there is no other option, freight forwarders need to go a step further in this business and try new features such as FreightViewer. With the help of technology, some of the main issues faced day by day by a freight forwarder can be minimized, and their services can be optimized. Nonetheless, we should never forget that personal contact is extremely important in this industry-  technology will never replace this contact but it will help to improve customer service.

Interview with Pablo Fornos from Globalia Madrid

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independent freight agent“We believe that the key to success in this industry is the customer. We need to establish a rapport with the client via trust and transparency. Transparency is a key element since your client needs to be aware of all the operations at every stage of the movement of cargo.”

This week we are publishing an interview with Pablo Fornos, the Supervisor of the Air Freight Department of Visa Global Logistics, Globalia member in Madrid, Spain. In this interview, he talks about his company and its history, the challenges of freight forwarders during the pandemic, and the importance of digitization among other things.

Q. When and how did you start in the freight forwarding industry?
A. Our company was formed back in 1982 with the objective of offering personalized logistical solutions for our clients. We realized that there was a high demand for luxury merchandise like cars or works of art coming from Italy which required special logistical and transport solutions that most companies in the industry were not capable of offering. This is what prompted us to start offering specialized services that these operations require.

Q. Could you tell us a bit about the history of your company?
A. Our Madrid office was opened in 2019 from where we offer a specialized service for perishable goods as well as project cargo services with a proficient team qualified to handle these types of products.

Q. What distinguishes you from other freight forwarders in the industry?
A. What distinguishes us from our competitors is the personal touch with comes with our services as well as the transparency we offer via track and trace systems. Our second distinguishing factor is our specialization in high-value, sensitive, and perishable shipments and our years of experience in handling these types of products.

Q. What according to you are the keys to success in our industry?
A. We believe that the key to success in this industry is the customer. We need to establish a rapport with the client via trust and transparency. Transparency is a key element since your client needs to be aware of all the operations at every stage of the movement of cargo. I believe that digitization is equally important because it allows us to offer transparency and instant data to our clients allowing them to locate their shipment, and know its status.

“We ensure environmental sustainability not just in our daily operations but also in the way we structure our work, with more efficient means, clean fuels, modern tools, work flexibility, and adaptability to the hourly needs of the different agents around the world.”

Q. Which are the biggest challenges for freight forwarders in your country at the moment?
A. Right now the most important challenge facing the sector is the COVID-19 crisis. Considering the fact that around 90% of merchandise is moved in the belly hold of passenger flights, it is easy to understand why the grounding of numerous passenger planes all over the world has led to reduced air cargo space during a time of high demand for essential items. Another challenge for freight forwarders is undoubtedly digitization. Digitization will simplify and quicken all the stages of operation while the elimination of paperwork for customs or AWB will ensure lowered cost and more agile services. Moreover, we also have to consider the challenges in developing environmentally sustainable logistics.

Q. How the freight forwarders are dealing with these challenges?

A. I think that the logistics industry is making integrated efforts and trying to go ahead with digitization and restructuring of their operations in a bid to become more efficient.

Q. How will Visa Global deal with these challenges?
A. With regard to the COVID-19 crisis, we are strictly observing all the safety precautions and constantly adapting and innovating to serve all our clients and agents through remote work and with the strictest security measures whenever physical presence is called for. As for digitization, we strongly believe that investment in this regard is absolutely important because the future is already here. Technologies such as blockchain or Artificial Intelligence are here to stay and at Visa Global Logistics we know that we have to be at the forefront of these innovations to provide quality services to our clients. As for environmental awareness, we ensure environmental sustainability not just in our daily operations but also in the way we structure our work, with more efficient means, clean fuels, modern tools, work flexibility, and adaptability.

Globalia members with shipments to/from Madrid, Spain, are invited to get in touch with their professional team.

Interview with Neena Gupta, the Agent Coordinator Assistant of Globalia Logistics Network

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“We always encourage members to refer their trustworthy agents in order to be able to obtain a discount on their membership under Globalia’s referral program.”

Neena is the main point of contact for Globalia members daily. Her work consists of assisting members with any questions or problems they might have and ensuring that the work of our Agent Coordination Team is of the highest standards. Before joining Globalia, Neena worked in the teaching sector as an English teacher for four years. She also worked as a part-time translator for a well-known enterprise, a job that provided her with immense experience in the communication sector.

In this interview Neena talks about her experiences with Globalia members, the benefits of GLB’s referral programme, the importance of FreightViewer and significant tips about how to avoid getting scammed online.

Q. How has been your experience working with the Globalia team so far?
best freight forwarders networkA.  It has been a really good experience. I am learning a lot from the members and I am looking forward to assisting them in the best way possible, whatever the issue.

Q. Why do you think attending the Annual Meeting is important for the agents?
A. Forging a collaborative and profitable relationship with the partners is one of the keys in our sector and the Annual Meetings are absolutely crucial in this regard. Most of the agents who have attended the Meetings say that they have increased their business volume and created a long-term business relationship with their partners.

Q. How can Globalia’s referral programme be beneficial for the agents?
A. Existing members who refer another agent, who eventually becomes a part of our network, have a lot of gain from our referral programme. We always encourage members to refer their trustworthy agents in order to be able to obtain a discount on their membership. To begin with, the referring agent gets a 25% discount on their upcoming annual membership fee. Moreover, when members refer more than one agent they get a maximum of 4 discounts (of 25%) applicable for each new agent meaning that they stand a chance of paying zero membership fees for the coming year!

Q. Which are the most common points of contention between agents and how can it be resolved?
A. The commonest point of contention among members is invariably related to ‘who’s responsible for paying the bank fees.’ This eventually leads to intense debates as both parties believe they are in the right. However, the answer to this is very precise. The Rules and Procedures that have been agreed to by all the network members clearly state that: “All invoice payments will be made by bank transfer. All bank fees will be paid by the member ordering the transfer.” This is undoubtedly the fairest solution that all members need to bear in mind.

Q. Do you get complaints from members regarding scam emails? How are you coping with this problem?
A. Yes, scam emails are a persistent threat in the age of digital communications. Members have notified us about receiving payment related email from another member in which they were asked to make the payment to the new bank details provided. It goes without saying that, such emails are sent by scammers and not by any member of our network. This is why we always urge our members to verify the bank details of their partner to whom they are supposed to make a payment by talking to them directly over the phone.

Q. Why do you think it’s important for the agents to interact on social media?
A. I would always suggest agents to add their fellow members on their social media pages and interact with their posts whenever possible. Liking and sharing your partner’s post will encourage them to do the same which will indeed have a positive impact on your visibility. Moreover, it also keeps you updated about the recent goings-on in your partner’s organization.

“Liking and sharing your partner’s post will encourage them to do the same which will indeed have a positive impact on your visibility. Moreover, it also keeps you updated about the recent goings-on in your partner’s organization.”  

Q. How’s the new tool FreightViewer helping the Globalia agents?
A. As attested by many of our members, the FreightViewer has helped to ease the workload of our agents by allowing them to digitize their businesses and offer accurate and personalized quotations to their partners and clients instantly. This game-changing tool is available for free for all our network members and the FreightViewer team is working round the clock to update and enhance the features of the software.

Q. Which is the most common question you get asked regarding the use of FreightViewer?
A. Agents often call us to find out who have access to their rates. It needs to be mentioned that we do not make available the rates of our agents to their competitors in their country. FreightViewer makes daily tasks of our agents easier without creating any discord between the network members. Moreover, members can also decide which of their customers will be able to access their FreightViewer webpage. The choice is always theirs!

GLB agent in Dubai describes FreightViewer as a useful marketing and sales tool for members

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After the launch of Globalia’s Transport Management Software, FreightViewer Department has been receiving plenty of applications from members to test the software and suggest its improvements. Mr. Julian Wolff, logistics consultant of Cargotrans, our GLB member in Dubai, has been collaborating with FreightViewer Department and is now willing to start to work with FreightViewer

Mr. Julian states: “FreightViewer is a nice online tool to look up rates. It has an easy and user-friendly interface. Whoever has worked in freight forwarding before is able to use it without any problems” After testing FCL, Air, local and transport rates; Mr. Wolff’s opinion is that it’s very easy to enter and find rates throughout FreightViewer. Additionally, he comments that it is important to take into account that FreightViewer can be used directly with local customers: “FreightViewer can be used for local clients as well, […] each agent can implement it and create an advantage and benefit for their own direct customers”

Finally, our GLB member encourages all agents to use the software to create a database available for members and customers 24/7, Mr Julian says: “ I  encourage everyone from the Globalia network to use it because it will help to create a huge database from which all members benefit. Being able to find rates 24/7 from any place around the world within minutes helps to win more business. The more agents we have using it, the better it gets”

FreightViewer Department will be happy to assist you if you may need any assistance with the use of FreightViewer or would like to know more about the system, contact amartin@globalialogisticsnetwork.com, we will be happy to assist you. Additionally, from now on, FreightViewer’s team will also share with members our latest news through Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and QQ

Interview with Maria de Magalhães Albuquerque from ETE Logistica, S.A

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logistics business partner

“The keys in this sector are the constant improvement of procedures, making sure that the information provided to the customers is always updated, and the proper management of internal resources by constantly training the employees while attracting new talents.”

We recently did an interview with Maria de Magalhães Albuquerque the Sea Freight Supervisor of ETE Logistica, S.A, the Globalia member in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal. In this interview, she touches upon the strong points of her company, the technological challenges faced by freight forwarders, and the advantages of becoming a Globalia member among several other things.

 


Q. Can you tell us a little about the history of ETE Logistica?
A. ETE Logistica was created back in 2008 and is a part of Grupo ETE which is the largest Portuguese player in the maritime sector offering services in 6 main areas – port operations, inland water transportation, shipping, shipping agents, logistics operations, naval engineering, and shipbuilding and repair.

Q. What distinguishes ETE Logistica from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. We have been offering specialized, competitive and customer-oriented services to our clients, thanks to our wide competencies in maritime, road and air operations.

Q. What has been the greatest success of your team so far? How did you handle it?
A. Our most successful shipment consisted of a cargo of breakwater pontoons, the value of which was estimated at 200 000€. This shipment was successfully handled and coordinated by our 2 offices in Portugal.

Q. What according to you are the main technological challenges facing freight forwarders at the moment? How important is technology for the industry?
A. The biggest technological challenge we are facing revolves around the implementation of a computer program which serves both the operations and the sales department so as to keep all the info online and up to date. Technology plays a major role in the dissemination of information between departments as well as with the customers. In today’s fast-paced times it is absolutely essential that our clients be informed about the exact location of their cargo at any given time. Although this is a rather ambitious plan, I am sure it will be possible in the near future.

Q. What are the main advantages of operating from Portugal? Are there any challenges facing your country at this moment?
A. Geographically our country is strategically located with privileged access to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe (by sea, land, and rail), North and South America, the entire African continent, as well as the Middle East and the Far East. The greatest challenge for our country is to upgrade its outdated railway network which connects Portugal to other European countries. Moreover, we also need to increase the capacity of the ports in various parts of Portugal.



‘The advantage of being a part of Globalia is the exchanging of shipments with other agents which allows us to win more businesses with better competitive values for our customers.’
                                  

Q. From your own experience, which are the keys to success in the freight forwarding industry?
A. The keys to the success of a freight forwarder are the constant improvement of procedures, making sure that the information provided to the customers are always updated, and the proper management of internal resources especially in the area of employees. Freight forwarders need to constantly train the employees while attracting new talents to this sector and allow the new recruits to interact and work with the seniors so as to foster a synergy that will contribute to the sustainable growth of the company.

Q. What is your impression about our Annual Meetings?
A. The Annual Meetings allow the agents to meet face to face, exchange experiences, share ideas and develop contacts. The informal and relaxed environment of the meetings fosters empathy, strengthens ties, and helps us grow our business.

Q. How did you hear about Globalia? Which advantages do you see in the network?
A. We got to know about Globalia through a with collaborator. Globalia was presented to us as an asset for the development and growth of our client portfolio. The advantage of being a part of Globalia is the exchanging of shipments with other agents which allows us to win more businesses with more competitive values for our customers. Another benefit is that we can have representation in so many different locations of local agents which allows us to offer a dedicated door-to-door service. The exchange of shipments is beneficial for the entire network of agents a point that differentiates us from our competitors.

Q. Tell us a funny story about a curious shipment you’ve recently handled.
A. In the process of importing a bulk seed container, I had a funny situation with the Lisbon Customs. The container had been selected for a physical inspection I.e. opening doors for physical cargo verification. I had to go to customs to talk to the inspector because if he opened the doors, the seeds would surely fall on him! Of course, he cancelled the inspection and ordered the container out.

Q. Where do you see your company in 10 years?
A. With the entry of the new CEO and the implementation of her restructuring plan, the focus is now on the growth of air, sea, and road cargo with greater investment in sales and customer service. With the help of our partners in Globalia, we believe that in 10 years our team will undoubtedly be an internationally recognized forwarder. 

Globalia invites its members with shipment to/from Porto and Lisbon to get in touch with their competent team.