A day in the life of Hank Zhan
Hank Zhan joined in 2010 as Account Manager and Coordinator for the Business Unit Projects and Machinery. He is based in China.
Current job
What is your current position?
Account Manager and P&M Coordinator
What responsibilities does it entail?
I provide quotations and solution offerings for one of our key accounts and other clients, supervising the quality of service, and supporting overland business from other countries.
What is an average day like in your current position?
Check and reply to emails, review tracing reports of all shipments, follow business tasks on hand, and have online meetings with internal BU teams and external customers.
Beginnings
How did you get started in the industry?
I majored in logistics and engaged in the freight forwarding industry after graduation. Since joining Ahlers in 2010, I continued to develop myself and take charge of the land transport business.
What is your (educational) background? Bachelor's degree, graduated from Guangzhou University, Logistics Management Department.
What positions have you held before this one? Overland operation manager.
Do you have a mentor or someone that significantly helped you get to where you are today? My former leader, who introduced me to the industry, gave me a lot of guidance and help in both work and life.
Evolution
How has your field evolved since you began?
This developed rapidly, as before only a few forwarders companies had experience in the overland business. But today, thousands of competitors have appeared and lived in this industry. The railway used to be the main transport between China and RU/CIS area, but now, besides these areas, there are rail and road services from China to Europe and Southeast Asia.
How do you see it evolving further?
Products, services, and transportation routes will be diversified. As competition intensifies, many small freight forwarders will be eliminated.
What changes would you like to see?
Compared with sea transport and air transport, the operation process of overland transport is still not standardized and unified. Would like to see that shortly, requirements of different borders and customs will become consistent.
Company
What makes your company different from its competitors?
Our network, European corporate background, enterprise culture, ability, and experience are based on a long-term focus on Russia/CIS business.
What is the focus of your company/ its mission?
Our mission is to provide our customers with quality service and feasible solutions, help them save costs, and improve the competitiveness of core business.
Social
What do you like most about your job?
The challenge and sense of accomplishment you get when successfully solve the pains for our key account.
What would you like people to know about your job?
There are always many emergencies in land transportation, experience and ability of coordination are very important.
What do you think the industry could do to attract more youths?
A flexible and free working style will be more attractive to young people, such as flexible working hours and free working places, but it also requires enough business knowledge and experience.
What do you do when you are not in the office?
Always spend time on sports. Small gatherings with family and friends are also regular activity on weekends.
