Our rising stars

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Our rising stars

BY JAMES PAUL

THE CILT NZ 2020 AWARDS recognised a number of outstanding Kiwis working in the transport and logistics sector – including two young people who have been recognised for their progress to date and ambition for the future.

Rising Star Young Employee of the Year

The Rising Star Young Employee of the year recognises a young employee (under 35) in the transport and logistics sectors who embodies the mission of their employer, consistently produces quality work, and displays characteristics that are valued by their peers and colleagues, as well as managers. No one has epitomised this better than Megan Crow, the recipient of the 2020 award, of C3 Ltd Transport Branch.

Megan Crow, winner of the CILT NZ Rising Star Young Employee of the Year Award 2020, with C3 Transport Manager Kevin Bird.

As C3 Transport driver, Von Moore, put it in his support of her nomination, Megan joined the company as “the young lady in the office”.

But as each day passed, Mr Moore and other colleagues watched her workload grow, soaking up as much knowledge as she could with each new job, and finetuned it to “make it easier for us the drivers”. So, what are Megan’s thoughts on receiving such accolades, including the award? “I was surprised, as I did not know I had been nominated. But it’s great to know what I am doing is making an impact. “I’m passionate about running things well and making a difference. Helping change our dayto-day business processes from a paper-based operation to fully electronic was a highlight. “I helped manage the project from the initial idea through to implementation. It’s completely changed with way we operate, and we’ve gained a lot of efficiencies within our organisation and the way we work with customers.”

Growing up near Wellington, Megan was lucky enough to be selected for a 12-month AFS Intercultural Program student exchange to Belgium. Always having an interest in business, her time in Europe opened her eyes to the possibilities of international business and marketing. That led her to study at Massey University towards obtaining a Bachelor of Business Studies (International Business), during which time Megan joined the Tauranga-based C3 front office to undertake administrative tasks.

Ten months later, and a degree to boot, she was promoted to Transport Coordinator where she was in charge of labour allocation, dispatch, account management and reporting tools for nearly two years. As C3 moved to computerised dispatch systems – such as ICOST, Container Chain, E-Road logbooks and vehicle checks – Megan must stay two or three steps ahead of staff in her understanding of these applications. As problems arose, she was able to troubleshoot and find a work around and do what she does best – work with drivers to educate them on the new systems. That was no mean feat, according to Mr Moore, when dealing with 20 or so older drivers who aren’t as adept at dealing with new technology. “In many cases Megan achieved this by not taking ‘no’, ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘this damn thing won’t work’ as an acceptable answer,” Mr Moore says. “Her constantly positive attitude and pure zest for our department is contagious to say the least. Inspiring even the grumpiest of us to strive for betterment of our department and C3 as a whole, while no health and safety issue is left behind.

“Megan has been seen many a time, after work, helping someone with their own personal problems or helping them with the new-fangled dispatch/logbook tablets. Megan is able to do all of this while not losing sight of the job in hand and is always willing to listen to new ideas, then support them should they be of benefit to our tasks or wellbeing.” As for being a young woman in a maledominated industry, Megan says she doesn’t give it much thought as the logistics industry is a fast-paced environment which recognises people for their expertise and commitment. “Any young person wanting to make a big difference to the New Zealand economy should look closely at logistics. It is an industry with great variety – no two days are ever the same – and you need to be able to think on your feet and always have plans A, B and C ready to go. “The logistics industry is also one that changes as the world changes. In the current and uncertain COVID-19 climate, logistics has been an essential service offering job security.”