Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Thank you as 2008 draws to a close
To all staff at YRC Logistics UK and NL, I would like to thank you for your commitment and extraordinary service throughout 2008. I hope you are able to enjoy some family time over the holiday period, have some fun and come back refreshed for what promises to be an exciting 2009.
Respect to you all.
Respect to you all.
Labels: holiday, Staff, YRC Logistics
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Cove U16
I had a great end to 2008 with Cove U16 as we won 4-1 in the Hampshire County Cup to reach the quarter finals, plus we are still top of the SYL Premier South.
In contrast I hope our club secretary, Susie Harris, recovers quickly. She does an amazing amount for the 22 youth teams at Cove with her only reward seeing the kids playing football every week.
In challenging economic times it is good to remind ourselves there are some special people about that make a real difference.
In contrast I hope our club secretary, Susie Harris, recovers quickly. She does an amazing amount for the 22 youth teams at Cove with her only reward seeing the kids playing football every week.
In challenging economic times it is good to remind ourselves there are some special people about that make a real difference.
Thursday, 25 December 2008
2009
As we start to move out of 2008 we are planning the venue and agenda for our monthly European management meetings in 2009. While we of course have to focus, like all companies, on our costs being part of a massive organisation like YRCW give us many untapped opportunities.
Our 2009 plans consist of controlling our costs, adding new sales with our 'beefed' up business development team, extracting more business from within our own organisation and most important have high attention on our clients to ensure we understand any changes they have to their supply chain and we work together for the best solutions.
Merry Christmas and hope we all have a prosperous 2009!
Our 2009 plans consist of controlling our costs, adding new sales with our 'beefed' up business development team, extracting more business from within our own organisation and most important have high attention on our clients to ensure we understand any changes they have to their supply chain and we work together for the best solutions.
Merry Christmas and hope we all have a prosperous 2009!
Monday, 22 December 2008
China Loses WTO Appeal (JOC – 12/16/08)
The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization confirmed Monday that a Chinese tax measure on imported auto parts violates the trade body's rules. In its decision, the WTO’s top court largely upheld a panel ruling in July which backed complaints made against China by the United States, the European Union and Canada.
The latest ruling overthrew one aspect of the July ruling, which held that China's treatment of knock-down car kits contravenes the country's accession commitments to the WTO.
China considers auto parts as a complete vehicle if they account for 60 percent or more of the value of a vehicle, and charges a 15-percent higher tariff on them. The Chinese measure is designed to prevent tax evasion by companies that import whole cars as spare parts to avoid higher tariff rates.
In their complaints, the U.S., the EU and Canada argued that the Chinese tax measure deters automakers from using imported parts to build cars in the country, in violation of WTO rules.
"The WTO Appellate Body confirmed that China’s discriminatory taxation of U.S. auto parts is fundamentally at odds with core WTO principles," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement. "Especially in light of the current problems faced by the U.S. auto industry, I expect China to comply promptly with its WTO obligations by removing an unlawful and unfair trade barrier that is harming U.S. workers and manufacturers."
The latest ruling overthrew one aspect of the July ruling, which held that China's treatment of knock-down car kits contravenes the country's accession commitments to the WTO.
China considers auto parts as a complete vehicle if they account for 60 percent or more of the value of a vehicle, and charges a 15-percent higher tariff on them. The Chinese measure is designed to prevent tax evasion by companies that import whole cars as spare parts to avoid higher tariff rates.
In their complaints, the U.S., the EU and Canada argued that the Chinese tax measure deters automakers from using imported parts to build cars in the country, in violation of WTO rules.
"The WTO Appellate Body confirmed that China’s discriminatory taxation of U.S. auto parts is fundamentally at odds with core WTO principles," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement. "Especially in light of the current problems faced by the U.S. auto industry, I expect China to comply promptly with its WTO obligations by removing an unlawful and unfair trade barrier that is harming U.S. workers and manufacturers."
Labels: China
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Sales Induction & Training
The induction & training system at YRC Logistics is aimed to give new staff a deep understanding of our strengths, capabilities and our weaknesses. It is also aimed to ensure we have common practices in terms of confirming prospects needs via Memos of Understanding, only sell where we can add value and teach GDM's how to utilise the Subject Matter Experts to full effect.
I know this is basic stuff and I am sure there are similar processes at many companies, but a few years ago we did not have this process in place, and I am afraid to say we had some sales staff failures because of this.
Whilst I am talking about Sales Induction and Training I have to mentioned one of our sales management team, David Payne. I know his involvement in the induction of new staff has been a major plus and has resulted directly in new deals being won.
His assistance in training GDM's especially in the art of prospecting has been invaluable for a number of new and experienced staff. He also tells me he could beat anyone in the company at darts but always forgets to bring his arrows when we meet so I am not so sure about that.
I know this is basic stuff and I am sure there are similar processes at many companies, but a few years ago we did not have this process in place, and I am afraid to say we had some sales staff failures because of this.
Whilst I am talking about Sales Induction and Training I have to mentioned one of our sales management team, David Payne. I know his involvement in the induction of new staff has been a major plus and has resulted directly in new deals being won.
His assistance in training GDM's especially in the art of prospecting has been invaluable for a number of new and experienced staff. He also tells me he could beat anyone in the company at darts but always forgets to bring his arrows when we meet so I am not so sure about that.
Labels: Global Development Managers, Recruitment, Sales, Staff, Subject Matter Experts, Training
BA in Business Studies
Congratulations to Sharon Brough from our Glasgow office who has just achieve a BA in Business Studies.
Sharon completed this course on a part time study basis through the Open University which is even more impressive because not only is she a dedicated and hard working member of staff, she also had to study each night!
Congratulations, well done, what a great effort Sharon!
Sharon completed this course on a part time study basis through the Open University which is even more impressive because not only is she a dedicated and hard working member of staff, she also had to study each night!
Congratulations, well done, what a great effort Sharon!
Labels: Core Values, Staff
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Memo of Understanding
As part of the YRCL formal training we stress the importance of understanding the clients needs and making sure we confirm our understanding of their requests. This can be via a Memo Of Understanding (MOU) for sales and "confirmation of booking for shipments" by operations, but I think good customer service is really just also a sign of good manners.
This is an area I believe many industries miss a trick. For example this week I had an important visitor from YRCL USA. We booked him in the normal hotel we use and normally he gets a decent service. The key items he needs are a large bed (because he is 6ft 5') wireless Internet connection and a decent shower.
This visit he was given 2 small beds, a room that was outside the wireless connection area and a shower that didn't work. The attitude of the staff was 'you did not stress these were important'. Had the hotel employed a MOU culture (good manners) they may have avoided this and avoided losing a client.
This is an area I believe many industries miss a trick. For example this week I had an important visitor from YRCL USA. We booked him in the normal hotel we use and normally he gets a decent service. The key items he needs are a large bed (because he is 6ft 5') wireless Internet connection and a decent shower.
This visit he was given 2 small beds, a room that was outside the wireless connection area and a shower that didn't work. The attitude of the staff was 'you did not stress these were important'. Had the hotel employed a MOU culture (good manners) they may have avoided this and avoided losing a client.
Labels: Minimum Service Standard, Sales, Service
Friday, 5 December 2008
Simple Reason for Success
It is great when I hear a success story about winning a new client. It is sometimes even better when I hear that we have developed more business from a existing client.
Our London team with Markus Higham, Vince Thomson and Martin Wall have been handling the airfreight for a client over a number of years. With our improved seafreight procurement we are now in a position to offer very competitive rates for their 2500 teu per annum and have secured this business.
I believe while the rates were important, that fact they have trusted us with this large part of their business is because of the deep customer service ethos. Guys like the above really understand they are not just moving boxes they are moving someones livelihood and this is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
My thanks to the team for a great job.
Our London team with Markus Higham, Vince Thomson and Martin Wall have been handling the airfreight for a client over a number of years. With our improved seafreight procurement we are now in a position to offer very competitive rates for their 2500 teu per annum and have secured this business.
I believe while the rates were important, that fact they have trusted us with this large part of their business is because of the deep customer service ethos. Guys like the above really understand they are not just moving boxes they are moving someones livelihood and this is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
My thanks to the team for a great job.
Labels: Core Values, Minimum Service Standard, New business, Sales
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