The freight forwarder of the future will be the one that is already preparing to conquer it. The future of the maritime industry and global trade, while not predictable, can be projected as the largest user of digital technology and innovations, because it is growing and modernizing voraciously. So what are the opportunity areas that a freight forwarder can seize to prepare for the future?
So far, we have been giving you tips about leads generation, we have guided you into your digital transformation, and we have even given you tools to compete against digital businesses. Now we want you to go further, we want to see you as a freight forwarder of the future. That is why we present to you some opportunity areas, in which you can start working on from now.
A freight forwarder of the future must develop certain key business aspects.
1. Organizational culture:
Some people define it as the personality and essence of those who are part of an organization, the way they interact with each other and how they work. Having a clear business vision for the future is key. This includes having in your business team leaders trained in the reinforcement of values, involved and committed to change, facilitators in meeting and exceeding goals, motivators, integrators, with empathy, self-control, ability to listen, to communicate and to be consulted, without the fear of being vulnerable.
A highly motivated team with a true sense of belonging to the company will be prepared to maximize its effort, by improving its performance and thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
This model of organizational work is still not much seen in the maritime industry, nor focused on a freight forwarder. But it is a model of work that is increasingly being implemented in other commercial and service sectors, so it is an opportunity you can seize.
2. Compete with human assets:
The freight forwarder of the future will require to be updated in terms of systems, software, technologies, etc. So will your competitors too. Therefore, your effort should focus on the main asset of your organization: your team. Make the most profit out of whatever they are good on and always shine in. If you have gained a good reputation in the market based on your service, price, interpersonal relationships with your customers, besides your technological strength, it is imperative that you become even better at it. Make sure that all your staff knows and deepens in developing that competitive value that the company has. Getting ready to be part of the future of this industry will require being very different from the others.
Digitization is important, but you may focus as well on having the innovation in areas other than digital as one of the main talents of your employees. This way you will be adding value to your customers and creating loyalty, which will return in value for your employees.
3. Entrepreneurship:
Do not become a spectator of the transformation that the maritime industry is experiencing. Be part of the change. Be an entrepreneur on solutions to issues or improvements in the industry, and look for alliances that allow you to get funding, growth, and development. Some of the most innovative digital freight forwarders nowadays are strategic partners of the main shipping companies, which is a different way to stay afloat in the business.
Governments of several countries of the world are supporting these initiatives of technological development and innovation in all areas related to the logistics of global trade. Therefore, choose the area you like the most, develop your business, and be a protagonist, not a supporting actor.
Surely there are many more opportunity areas awaiting to be discovered by the freight forwarder of the future. So, take over them and then just answer calmly to the rest, what do you have that others don’t?
