The logistics sector has seen a drastic shift to digitization with the ever-evolving technological advancements in the last few years. There is an improvement in every aspect that connects to logistics such as quality of warehousing, increased rail network capacity, improved infrastructure for coastal shipping, identifying and resolving the gaps in the connectivity for air, sea, rail, and road transport. Meet Dr. Sharmila Amin Chairperson and Board Member at Globe Forwarding Agencies Pvt. Ltd., who visions to add these industry-driven changes to enhance the company’s shipping, logistics, project freight management, transportation, and custom clearance offerings.
Journey as a business leader and Challenges
Dr. Sharmila Amin joined Bertling Logistics and its subsidiary Globe Forwarding in 2014. As per Dr. Sharmila, it was a difficult time as the enormous amount of debt that had been taken on by the previous local management had to be repaid. Along with this, there had been a global recession in Shipping since then. “To work in those circumstances and bringing the company back on its feet has been my personal goal and achievement,” says Dr. Sharmila.
Being at the helm in a senior leadership position at Globe Forwarding Agencies Pvt. Ltd enabled her to take tough decisions and achieve the impossible. Today, with those tough decisions the company is back to being profitable and managed in a lean manner for maximum efficiency benefitting its customers and global clients.
Challenges that transform into Strength
Challenges bring the opportunity to grow, to expand the idea, and keep us humble, all at the same time. Dr. Sharmila states that the challenges she faced on her way were numerous. She recalls, “Each challenge has only strengthened me to make me the person I am today; a thorough professional who knows exactly what she wants; someone who sets her eyes on a goal and does not take them off it unless it is achieved.”
She also feels grateful towards her seniors and colleagues who have inspired her through her journey. She asserts, “This could not have been achieved without the inspiration I have received from my seniors and my colleagues, for whom I have deep respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage.
Describe Globe Forwarding India’s offerings that address the need of your customers.
Globe Forwarding is a dynamic performance-driven company providing skilled services in the fields of shipping, logistics, project freight management, transportation, and customs clearance. Its proactive and innovative approach has helped to deliver tailored logistics and shipping solutions to major clients in the oil & gas, energy, and mining sectors in the most distant and challenging regions worldwide.
Steps to Improve Service Offerings
Dr. Sharmila points out that improving the efficiency of the logistics sector is of high importance for the country’s economy as it boosts economic growth, grows exports through global supply chains, and generates employment.
To bring improvement in the sector’s offering, Dr. Sharmila suggests that the solutions broadly fall into three categories: (a) physical assets such as infrastructure and equipment, (b) policy reforms, and (c) operational and technical improvements.
She asserts, “My contribution in reshaping the performance of varied industries from logistics to custom clearance has evident in the standardization of logistics practices, improved efficiency, establishing long-term relationships with stakeholders including customs clearance, reducing shipment delays and ensuring to meet the customizable needs of every client in providing logistics solutions.”
Impact of the current pandemic
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Globe Forwarding has been following a systematic and holistic process to ensure the best possible operations for its customers. Ever since the outbreak of COVID – 19, the organization’s employees have been at the forefront handling extraordinary logistics challenges in their daily work routine, some from home and some manage from being physically present in the office.
According to Dr. Sharmila as COVID – 19 continues to affect different parts of the country, the health, safety, and well-being of employees and customers have been the company’s top priority. She highlights, “It became imperative that Globe Forwarding implemented safe working practices to prevent the occurrence and transmission of the disease.”
Valuing Culture, Ethics, and Integrity
Globe Forwarding is committed to conducting its business in an ethical manner, in accordance with the values and principles set out in its Values and Code of Conduct. The Values and Code encapsulate Globe Forwarding’s owners, directors, and senior management’s commitment to ensuring the highest standard of ethical conduct in the way Globe Forwarding conducts its business. It details the business principles to be followed in dealing with Globe Forwarding’s stakeholders, as well as the rules of individual responsibility that Globe Forwarding’s employees are expected to demonstrate.
The core principles underpinning Globe Forwarding’s Values and Code of Conduct are: · Respect for people · Preventing corruption and fraud · Upholding human rights · Promoting free competition · Promoting financial transparency
An Optimistic View for Future
According to Dr. Sharmila, the scenario for capital expenditure in India looks robust, particularly in the next 5 years. She views that with a stable government that is bullish on growth, especially infrastructure, the logistics sector may witness a move ahead in terms of the stalled projects. She asserts, “Once these take off, the flow of capital goods for these projects will follow with a lag of 6 to 9 months due to the ongoing pandemic.”
She further adds, “This presents a pretty optimistic future for growth in our industry over the next decade. Also, the power sector will be the leading industry. Mining, petroleum, and public infrastructure will also be the key drivers. Also with a thrust on renewables, we can expect an increase in project cargo for wind and solar power projects across the country.”
The government’s push for the “Make in India” initiative will further boost the manufacturing sector in India and therefore the Project Cargo business, as more and more companies will look to start or boost their manufacturing bases in India.
An Advice to Lead Better
Dr. Sharmila shares some points for emerging business leaders that can benefit them to stand ahead in their careers and push boundaries a little further. She asserts, “Be Self-efficient, Communicative, and lead by vision.” She adds, “I like to have a keen perception to look towards a better future and see the small obstacles hindering smooth execution. One can intuitively sense which direction the organization needs to move in order to compete within our sector.”
