3 minute read
Training
Pandemic training
The rapid digitalisation of freight means additional training is essential, says ANÉL LEWIS
TRAINING TO HANDLE VACCINES
FedEx Express’ Hassan Bouadar says the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out has necessitated additional training. “In the case of some of the vaccines that require super-cold storage (-70 to -80ºC), we trained team members around the region on handling procedures to ensure their safety as well as the viability of the vaccine.”
Digitalisation bears the potential to ease and improve the daily business of shippers and freight forwarders simultaneously. So says managing director of DHL Global Forwarding (South Africa) Clement Bernita Blanc, who adds: “In the last Buitendag 12 months we have witnessed an acceleration in technological adoption globally and in Africa. If anything, the pandemic has quickened rather than stymied transformation.”
Naturally, greater reliance on technology and adaptations to new ways of doing business require additional training and education.
For its part, DPD Laser, through its trading division Dawn Wing, responded to the need for social distancing by implementing contactless deliveries. This required “rigorous” training, as obtaining proof of delivery was entrenched in company procedure. DPD’s COO Benita Buitendag says the company introduced frequent toolbox talks to inform staff of new delivery methods. It also launched an intranet site to make learning material more accessible. Justin Manson, head of sales at Webfl eet Solutions, says its clients have used fl eet management software in innovative ways to mitigate COVID-19 disruptions. This has meant additional training so that their teams can make greater use of solutions such as asset tracking and geofencing. “This makes it possible to handle more freight, pull more data out of the system and manage the fl eet with a leaner team,” says Manson.
Online innovation
Online solutions have become more robust in response to the pandemic, says Hilton Eachus, DPD Laser’s chief customer offi cer. “We’ve seen an increase in how many businesses have expanded and developed these solutions.”
It’s also imperative that companies innovate by offering additional services, entering new market sectors and evolving their operating models, Eachus says. “If your internal rate of change is slower than the external rate of change in the market, you have a problem.”
Eachus says with the accelerated integration of technology in the logistics sector, it’s imperative that companies use new methods effectively. “The days of courier companies being manually run businesses with truckers in caps and overalls are long gone. Companies that are successful in today’s environment are those that have great technology.”
Manson concurs, adding that an integrated digital solution makes it easier for fl eet managers to digest information, manage their fl eets and streamline operations.
“One of the challenges fl eet managers face is operating with disparate systems like a fl eet management system, in-cab cameras, and asset tracking on different platforms.” Being able to dispatch, monitor workfl ow and track assets all from one platform will ensure a more robust and accessible solution, Manson says.
Risk planning
Also important is continuous risk planning to make provisions for epidemic and pandemic risk scenarios, says Blanc. “A critical requirement in handling any tricky situations and emerging stronger is to have the right people on the ground, with the local knowledge and market expertise to deal with changes immediately.”
Hassan Bouadar, vice president of legal, regulatory and human resources at FedEx Express for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, says ongoing training is critical. “We train our team members regularly so that when we have an event like COVID-19, we leverage our professional training staff to update
Hassan Bouadar on new processes and procedures.”
DIGITAL OFFERINGS
DHL Global Forwarding has developed the only fully integrated online platform for freight forwarding customers that provides access to online services for full shipment visibility and control. myDHLi provides a highly intuitive user interface that makes it easy to navigate and also features common social media functions like following and sharing.
