Thursday, 30 July 2009
Working on Vacation, A Chore Or A Choice?
With the holiday time now on us we recently had an interesting debate among YRCL EU management. The European legal requirement is a mandatory 28 days and in some EU countries it is even higher, this is very different to many of our own offices globally.
While our business leaders will often not take their full holiday allocation because they view this as their own company, which also means that when they are on vacation they will continue with their meetings, calls and general communication.
The argument can be that it doesn't give people proper time to switch off, but our clients never stop, so we also can never stop although we can scale down. It is also important that we have a team around us that ensures our clients do not suffer because of our holiday periods.
As I sit and watch a Spanish sunset with my family a few hours work each day is a small sacrifice. Modern technology give us the best of both worlds as had this been 20 years ago without a blackberry or similar technology I would not be here.
While our business leaders will often not take their full holiday allocation because they view this as their own company, which also means that when they are on vacation they will continue with their meetings, calls and general communication.
The argument can be that it doesn't give people proper time to switch off, but our clients never stop, so we also can never stop although we can scale down. It is also important that we have a team around us that ensures our clients do not suffer because of our holiday periods.
As I sit and watch a Spanish sunset with my family a few hours work each day is a small sacrifice. Modern technology give us the best of both worlds as had this been 20 years ago without a blackberry or similar technology I would not be here.
Monday, 13 July 2009
China raises rebates to shore up exports
The purpose of these rebates are to stimulate more trade between overseas buyers and Chinese exporters, the benefit will be a reduction in your prices on all applicable products shipped after the 1/06/09.
China has raised export tax rebates on more than 2,600 items, including processed farm products, machines, shoes, hats and toys, as of June 1, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced Monday.This is the seventh time that the nation raised tax rebates since last August as to shore up exports amid global economic downturn. A ministry official, Liu Shangxi, told Xinhua the latest rebate increase reflected the government's efforts to spur the economy by combining domestic consumption and export industry."China's exports still face difficulties in the short term.
The tax rebate increase would help exporters reduce costs and shore up exports," he said.According to a notice jointly announced by the ministry and the State Administration of Taxation, tax rebates on TV transmitters, sewing machines were raised to 17 percent, and that on canned food, juice, shoes, hats and toys were up to 15 percent.Tax rebates on plastic, porcelain, glass and aquatic products were lifted to 13 percent, steel products, including scissors, to 9 percent and cornstarch, alcohol to 5 percent.
For more information on the full rebate % for the products you source from China please contact richard.ferris@yrclogistics.com
China has raised export tax rebates on more than 2,600 items, including processed farm products, machines, shoes, hats and toys, as of June 1, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced Monday.This is the seventh time that the nation raised tax rebates since last August as to shore up exports amid global economic downturn. A ministry official, Liu Shangxi, told Xinhua the latest rebate increase reflected the government's efforts to spur the economy by combining domestic consumption and export industry."China's exports still face difficulties in the short term.
The tax rebate increase would help exporters reduce costs and shore up exports," he said.According to a notice jointly announced by the ministry and the State Administration of Taxation, tax rebates on TV transmitters, sewing machines were raised to 17 percent, and that on canned food, juice, shoes, hats and toys were up to 15 percent.Tax rebates on plastic, porcelain, glass and aquatic products were lifted to 13 percent, steel products, including scissors, to 9 percent and cornstarch, alcohol to 5 percent.
For more information on the full rebate % for the products you source from China please contact richard.ferris@yrclogistics.com
Labels: China, Exports, Rebates
Friday, 10 July 2009
YRC Logistics - President Visit
Our President John Carr has departed today after a week trip where he reviewed our business & strategy for Europe as well as joining sales calls & client visits and ended the week by participating in our national sales conference.
Over the years the value for us and our staff is gaining ideas from high level visitors such as John and this trip was no different. The meetings were not stage managed as we feel that by only viewing the good, bad and the ugly can we really gain the maximum value in terms of ideas for our business.
Day 1
Started with an overall European business strategy review and planning session.
Day 2
I will look back on with a smile as a high potential sales visit with one of our Global Development Managers (GDM) had been pre-arranged, but unfortunately the prospect cancelled that morning. We understand that this happens and it is a hazard of sales but was disappointing and we had to find an alternative.
That meant the closest GDM geographically obliged by diverting to the office and taking John into two calls. The first was again a high potential prospect, ideal for John to visit with us, but they advised in the meeting that the day earlier their location had been put on notice to close and all staff were being made redundant. This is terrible news for them personally but also for our GDM who had our company President next to him. To the GDM's credit he was professional, sympathetic and still managed to conduct a good meeting.
The second was a client visit that this GDM is responsible for. It is very small in terms of revenue & size but personal to the GDM and we believe personal to us as a company because we believe you cannot turn service on and off. To understand the story you need to picture our President who is responsible for a $1 billion global organisation sitting on a settee being given tea by the very pleasant wife of our client stroking their four cats. In addition we had a communication issue with this client. which meant that the client was not happy.
We promised John that during his trip he would see us 'warts and all' and although it was a new experience for John sitting in a lounge of a small family business, the way we conducted ourselves in resolving the problem showed how strong our culture and our core values are. During the debrief of the day, John said 'that it was very humbling to sit with the family and the situation reinforced how we feel, which is that we do not just move boxes for our clients, we are responsible for their livelihood'.
For me this highlights the client focused culture that is driven down from the leadership of YRC Logistics to all levels of the organisation.
Day 3
A meeting was held with a large global client to discuss our forwarding and distribution services within our specialist retail environment which was very positive.
Day 4
John actively participated in our national sales conference where he saw the top three opportunities for every GDM and how they are providing a solution for the client with the focus on 'what else can we do to help our prospects and clients'. It was good for us to review the national sales figures and pleasing to see that even in a difficult economy our sales force is far exceeding expectations in terms of new clients trading with us.
Finally I also tried to explain the rules of cricket whilst the second day of England V Australia was in progress. I am sorry to say that I did not do a good job, as John suggested that if it is a draw after 5 days shouldn't the two captains get out to the middle and 'do battle'. I am not sure what the members of Lords would think of this amendment to the laws of cricket, but it did make me smile.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
YRC Logistics UK earns highest Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Certification
HM Revenue and Customs issued Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification to YRC Logistics UK with effect from July 1, 2009. The AEO certification status is “Full (F)”, which entitles YRCL to benefit under both the security and safety and the customs simplification regimes. This status allows YRCL clients with similar accreditation to enjoy the full range of AEO trade facilitation benefits, such as fewer physical customs inspections at EU borders and easier reporting.
The AEO objective is to enhance supply chain security through granting recognition to reliable traders and encouraging best practice at all levels in the supply chain.
AEOs are able to benefit from facilitation for customs controls or simplifications for customs rules or both, depending on the type of AEO certificate.
There are three certificate types:
· AEO Certificate—Customs Simplification
· AEO Certificate—Security and Safety
· AEO Certificate—Customs and Security (so-called "Full Certificate")
Obtaining Customs Simplification/Security and Safety Full Certification status required YRCL to meet the qualification requirements for both the AEO Customs Simplification Certificate and the AEO Security and Safety Certificate. The comprehensive criteria encompassed standards relating to the management of commercial and transport records; general good standing and stringent security measures concerning the management of the entire supply chain.
Most importantly to our clients, YRCL’s AEO certification status will now permit AEO certified importers and exporters to enjoy the full range of benefits, including fewer physical and document-based controls, priority treatment of consignments and choice of location for customs controls.
For more information please contact Vince Thomson, YRCL UK Global Services Manager,
TEL: +44 (0)1784 480104; EMAIL vince.thomson@yrclogistics.com
The AEO objective is to enhance supply chain security through granting recognition to reliable traders and encouraging best practice at all levels in the supply chain.
AEOs are able to benefit from facilitation for customs controls or simplifications for customs rules or both, depending on the type of AEO certificate.
There are three certificate types:
· AEO Certificate—Customs Simplification
· AEO Certificate—Security and Safety
· AEO Certificate—Customs and Security (so-called "Full Certificate")
Obtaining Customs Simplification/Security and Safety Full Certification status required YRCL to meet the qualification requirements for both the AEO Customs Simplification Certificate and the AEO Security and Safety Certificate. The comprehensive criteria encompassed standards relating to the management of commercial and transport records; general good standing and stringent security measures concerning the management of the entire supply chain.
Most importantly to our clients, YRCL’s AEO certification status will now permit AEO certified importers and exporters to enjoy the full range of benefits, including fewer physical and document-based controls, priority treatment of consignments and choice of location for customs controls.
For more information please contact Vince Thomson, YRCL UK Global Services Manager,
TEL: +44 (0)1784 480104; EMAIL vince.thomson@yrclogistics.com
Labels: AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, HMRC, International Trade Compliance
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
