From the Desk of the Chair

This letter is the second of a series in which I want to express the thoughts of TIACA leadership re the air cargo industry and in particular issues concerning the emerging challenges and opportunities we are facing. This and subsequent letters will address, in more detail, critical industry opinions and as always you as our valuable members, are welcomed to voice your opinions and concerns as well, so we can ensure TIACA is responsive and working  for you.

A long standing attribute of being a member of TIACA is our focus on the multi-disciplined membership approach, a membership which crosses all the service elements in the supply chain that are needed to deliver products to the ultimate Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO) the services and tools they demand to remain profitable and relevant in their industries.

TIACA has always stood out in its support and ability to look at the whole supply chain via its diverse membership and understand how to bring together our various member companies in a collaborative way to deliver a true quality driven, transparent and cost effective end to end solution In the past many of our membership grew their careers by starting at the bottom and then working their way up to industry leading management positions. Unfortunately this is, in the majority of cases, no longer possible thus denying them of that valuable experience.

To address that we must alter our thinking and expectations of how the current and next generation of young managers and staff can grow, learn and experience at air cargo logistics as a career that has a very promising and viable total career path in whatever discipline they choose.

Studies have repeatedly shown that teams with the skills to adopt new technologies and adapt to business and economic changes are more resilient and their organizations more sustainable. A combination of collaboration that ignite synergies and innovations and welcoming more women and younger generations who understand underlying factors and can leverage emerging tools are keys to long term success.

We must not lose sight of the fact that behind every shipment, every innovation and every success, there are people. People who collaborate, learn, create and connect. The air cargo industry was built on a culture where everyone feels heard, where there is room for diversity of thought, and where we support, respect and trust one another.

To ensure that our teams are ready to meet every challenge and optimally employ digital tools, the industry must ensure that everyone is provided with the learning and training they need to perform their assignments and more importantly are supported to grow – personally and professionally. Training is an investment in our most important asset, but also learning in how all the other stakeholders in the supply chain can work in delivering the very high expectations of shippers and consignees, and how through an understanding of this, profitable and rewarding business cases can be developed.

Emerging digital tools require new skills and can add tremendous value. Routine actions are being replaced giving our colleagues the opportunity to use their knowledge and creativity to develop new value added services to serve our customer’s and their customer’s needs. The knowledge of all companies in the supply chains re the direction and capabilities they are focusing on is a must in delivering superior collaborative products.

My colleagues will remember TIACA’s successful Education and Research Committee from the past. It is time to reconsider and perhaps reinvent that committee, to shape it to the current environment, and to provide a set of courses, workshops and articles that benefit all levels and sectors of the worldwide air cargo industry. All our members and their ultimate clients have expectations today that are driven by the service they experience and receive from the integrators, e-Commerce dedicated airlines and e-retailers, which is typically anything, anywhere in 72 hours or less.

We must embrace and inform our membership young managers re new ideas, break down barriers and build the future with courage. The industry has gone through many changes over the past years, but through collaboration and knowledge sharing on solutions, our members can prosper. We must continuously recognize and understand the changes and identify and develop new opportunities to serve our customers. Your comments and suggestions are very welcome.

For now, enjoy every sunny day, recharge your batteries and make it a summer full of golden memories. Happy holidays to everyone! 🌞