Where are air cargo’s leaders … and who are they?
LEADERSHIP is an aspect of social and business influence that facilitates or inspires the efforts of others to achieve common goals.
It is the magic ingredient that usually separates success from failure.
Are there any leaders in air cargo out there? asks Nigel Tomkins. If so, can anyone reading this blog please name them.
Does the air cargo industry have any genuine, inspirational commanders, other than those self-proclaimed publicists and ‘professional’ committee members we all know about?
By definition, leaders don’t pursue admiration and personal recognition. Leaders lead. They shout from the rooftops, enthusiastically nurturing fresh ideas, coming up with alternative plans, encouraging progress and advancement whilst also devising ways and means of identifying and addressing extremely important issues. Such as:
- Chronic staff shortages and brain-drains, particularly in the business areas of ground handling, technology adoption and flight-deck personnel;
- Crazily fluctuating and unpredictable prices;
- Dreadful and free-falling standards of PR, communications and press coverage;
- Unattractive pay levels in too many key areas of operations, especially in ground handling services, warehouses, forklift and truck drivers;
- Inadequate industry-wide training in new technology developments;
- Declining customer loyalty;
- A dog-eat-dog business culture;
- In the e-commerce world, rising numbers of mis-declared shipments, including hazmat goods.
Who in air cargo dares to even admit to addressing all (or any) of these really important subjects?
The good news is that if you see any or most of these topics listed on the agendas of an air cargo industry discussion/conference event then, the chances are that the organisers may actually understand what he/she/they are doing.
