Happy New Year!
     In our 45th consecutive year here, we get back to work, sharing the views of people that make the global logistics industry a success.
     Today FlyingTypers is the longest continually published industry media source under the same ownership and Publisher/Editor in the history of air cargo.
     But what will happen in 2020?
     After a less than memorable 2019, it seems everybody is looking for answers.
     Will this new decade be the ‘Roaring 20’s’ or as we celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year later this month, will we step off during 2020 as an industry into “The Year of The Mouse?”
     We open our 2020 effort with some thoughtful words shared by American Airlines Cargo President Rick Elieson offering a plan, featuring a wider perspective of things.
     Rick’s thoughts, as he approaches four years guiding the cargo fortunes of the world’s biggest airline, advance the feeling of his landmark treatise on ‘Leadership’ published here in 2019.
     Then Brandon Fried, the outspoken Executive Director of the USA-based Airforwarders Association gives us his take on things right now.
     Additionally Brandon, in a lively and intriguing interview, continues our exclusive multi-year “Leadership Series,” sharing his thoughts with a revealing overview of his world and the freight forwarders’ perspective.
     As 2020 begins, it feels good to know that sincere, smart thinking is at work for the betterment of our industry worldwide.
     Our series will continue all month long.
     Again, Happy New Year and the best of the best to all our readers in 2020.
Geoffrey

In 2020 Be It Resolved

     “A couple of thoughts came to mind when thinking about the new year,” Rick Elieson said.
     “I grew up in a household that took goals and goal-setting very seriously. I suspect that is why I actually enjoy the process and the convenient reminder that we get each January to reflect upon and plan for the coming year.
     “Yes, I plan to eat better, exercise more and find ways to improve my sustainability and conservation efforts.
     “But before any of that, my first step is to reflect upon and find gratitude for what was accomplished in 2019.
     “In my case, I have a lot to be grateful for, and at the top of that list is the opportunity to work in such a meaningful industry and among so many inspiring men and women.
     “Eating right, exercise and environmental impact are fundamentally about what we consume, the energy we expend, and the waste or the inefficiency of the process.
     “And so it is when we evaluate the health of our business.
     “Foundational to improvement in each of those areas is my goal to help our team members find greater satisfaction and meaning in their jobs—to solidify the connection between what they do, and why they do it.
     “First we must build on our shared belief that our purpose is to care for people on life’s journey, and that both clarity of direction and motivation result when team members see how their work contributes directly to that purpose of caring for others.
     “This perspective naturally translates into continually striving to improve the customer experience—a major theme of ours in 2020.
     “Second is to be ruthlessly focused on what specific initiatives we will tackle.
     “There are more great ideas than we can possibly accomplish and being intentional and disciplined about what we will set aside is as important, and perhaps even more difficult, as decisions about what we will accomplish.
     “This is challenging to do, while still allowing for entrepreneurship and innovation, but it is super important in unifying us as a team and being as successful and productive as we can be in 2020,” Rick Elieson concluded.

In UK, January 7, thousands of new cars looking for owners at a compound near Sheerness in Kent. Car sales sunk to a six-year low in 2019. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 2.3 million new cars were registered in the UK in 2019, down 2.3% from 2018.

Moving The Century Forward

     “2020 could be a challenging year for the logistics industry,” Brandon Fried declared, “due to many global concerns.
     “These challenges include ongoing trade issues, a possible war in the Middle East, impeachment, and the upcoming presidential election here in the U.S., now generating uncertainty.
     “Creatively responding to change has always been the foundation of the freight forwarding industry, so we view many of these challenges as opportunities.
     “Forwarders provide solutions to complex logistical problems using a variety of transportation modes, so they need to remain flexible and ready to help their customers react quickly in an uncertain environment.
     “But regardless of the volume softening seen throughout 2019, a recent survey of Airforwarders Association members indicates increased positivity for 2020. This optimism comes from the need for faster delivery times mandated by perishable companies, e-commerce shippers, and other industries requiring dependable delivery performance. Also, there is the hope of the U.S. reaching a trade deal with China and more favorable global economic conditions prevailing in the upcoming year.
     “U.S. forwarders also remain concerned about increasing airport truck congestion, poor road infrastructure, the impending excessive governmental regulation, the upcoming maritime low-sulfur fuel requirement, anticipated changes to U.S. export regulations, new worker classification laws and lithium batteries (dangerous goods) shipped by companies not adhering to existing laws and manufacturing standards.
     “But despite industry and global economic concerns, freight forwarders are seeing more customer demand for faster order processing and vendor flexibility. Both continue to be the primary deliverables within our business. As a result, our members are increasingly investing in significant financial resources in technology development to provide more efficient customer experience and increased information transparency. Automation is a popular and essential tool for continued growth. Still, we should never forget that people remain our industry’s most valuable asset.
     “Our country has seen nine straight years of economic expansion since the Great Recession, and freight forwarders have benefited as a result of this prosperity. Now, as the economy begins to shift, we look forward to thriving on its changes and continuing our industry success,” Brandon Fried said.