Each week, CargoForwarder Global shines its ‘Spotlight On…’ a specific segment of the air cargo industry. So many different people and processes all need to interact and function well in order to ensure safe, efficient, flowing air cargo logistics. What happens on the ground plays a major part – from ground handling, to warehousing or special cargo logistics, for example, or freight forwarding processes, and customs clearance, too. This week’s Spotlight guest incorporates all those areas in one: Bhairavi Jani (BJ), Director, Cargo Service Center India, introduces her function and shares her views and advice to people looking to join the air cargo industry.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
BJ: I am a Director on the board of Cargo Service Center India – India’s largest air cargo terminal operator, and Executive Director with the SCA Group – a company started in 1886 by my great-grand father, which is into customs processing, freight forwarding and 3P logistics. My responsibilities, apart from board member duties, are to steer strategic initiatives, new projects and international collaborations. Our new cross-border e-commerce project and our TIACA Blue Sky sustainability initiatives are closest to my heart.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
BJ: No such thing as a normal day. But I do manage some timeboxing, where the early mornings at home are spent on reading and framing the world view for the day, followed by first half on one-on-one meetings/calls and second half with teams. I believe that all business, especially any supply chain or air cargo business, is directly impacted by global economy, trade, geopolitics or socio-political events, and understanding those larger macro trends, allows me to address the important issues at work as well as plan for our strategic initiative better.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
BJ: I have been a supply chain professional for 25 years. Therefore, air cargo has been part of my life, but in the past seven years, I have had more intense involvement with our air cargo terminal business. I can say I was born and raised in warehouses, ports and cargo hubs; they were indeed my playground. But I began my career in supply chain consulting at KPMG in the US, in the late ‘90s. Post that, I returned to India to start my first venture in 4P logistics. It was much later, when I exited from my first venture, that the opportunity came to join the family’s business and I got to deep dive into the world of air cargo.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
BJ: I love the fact that we are a people-driven company and industry that uses technology to augment the quality and experience of our service. I also enjoy how geopolitics and global economic shifts impact our business. The constant shifts in global order are challenging but also present the opportunity to reframe and reset strategies – this agility is personally exciting to me.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
BJ: By any measure, the vote is for the accelerated pace of technological transformation. AI, Robotics, UAVs, New Energy and Renewable Energy Mix are all driving major changes. It offers both an opportunity and poses a challenge. It calls upon us to rethink, reframe and repurpose processes and people. It is a transformational transition that comes once in several decades, if not centuries.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
BJ: Air cargo is a specialized field, and we are all dependent on one piece of engineering – the aircraft. Therefore, understanding of the aircraft (or even a drone, now), and its engineering nuances, creates a solid foundation. Marry that with an understanding of global trade and geopolitics, and your foundation is strong to build a more meaningful and impactful career.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
BJ: The book ‘Maverick!: The Success Story Behind the World‘s Most Unusual Workplace’ is about a radical business transformation story by Ricardo Semler, on how through employee autonomy and business transparency, he grew his business in Brazil by more than 600%. I think if we look around, we will find many Ricardos in the air cargo industry – Mavericks who take the road less travelled, sometimes make a whole new road, if need be, to rise through challenges and seize opportunities.
Thank you, Bhairavi.
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
