Bogdan Soskic, Jelena Zivanovic and Goran Bacic, Gebrüder Weiss - Our working days are full of new ideas and great motivating energy

(Bogdan Soskic, Jelena Zivanovic and Goran Bacic) The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is achieving better results every year. In 2020, it achieved a net turnover of EUR 1.77 billion, which corresponds to a 3.7% increase in turnover compared to the previous year. They perform about 380,000 shipments per year for clients in Serbia, with over 250 employees at three locations, occupying a total area of 40,000 m2. Recently, they have also launched the MyGW portal, which provides easy, fast and direct access to all Gebrüder Weiss services and provides real-time information on transport and logistics orders.

We talked to Jelena Zivanovic, Key Account Manager, Goran Bacic, Sales Manager and Bogdan Soskic, Air&Sea Sales Manager, about what distinguishes them from the competition, how they build trust with clients, but also what their working days look like and what awaits us in the logistics and transport market.

Goran: For a Sales manager, one can say that there is no typical working day, because the diversity and multidisciplinarity of work makes each day very different. Despite numerous obligations and an intense work rhythm during the day, after a job well done, it is always important to find time to hang out with colleagues, and after work with family and friends.

Jelena: The orange logistics world inspires every day. Working days are full of new ideas, communication with dear people and long-term associates, and a great motivating energy. The day is dynamic, and setting priorities by agreement, is implicit and easy.

Bogdan: From early morning, it`s dynamic! Since the goods arrive and are shipped from destinations around the world and from different time zones, we are active until late at night in order to provide all the necessary information and organize transport in a timely manner. All in all, regular monitoring, organizational and managerial responsibilities, as well as active communication with clients would be a summary of my typical working day at Gebrüder Weiss.

Goran: As a father of three children, I want stability in both private and business life. The symbol of stability is Gebrüder Weiss, the company that takes care of every client and every employee and constantly invests in the latest technologies, and is therefore the right place for a successful career path.

Jelena: My driving force is made up of perseverance, faith, dedication, and a constant striving for excellence. It is important for me that my employer recognizes this and shares the same views. Gebrüder Weiss not only recognizes the values I am guided by, but also rewards me many times over. That is why the 15 years I have been with the company have just flown by.

Bogdan: The opportunity to improve personally, to continue my career in a well-organized system with a tradition of over 500 years - that implies a certain stability and that is why I have placed my trust in GW.

What challenges have you encountered during your career in the sales sector?

Goran: As the global and local logistics market is constantly changing, so are the challenges in the sales sector. The past year, with all its challenges, has taught us to first accept digital transformations in business, and then to quickly adapt to all other challenges.

Jelena: There were a lot of them during all these years. What I would especially like to point out are the driving ones - the goals that we set and achieve again, set and follow the path that sets us apart from the competition, meet and exceed customer expectations. It is necessary to harmonize operational / executive action with the requirements and priorities of the company - at the global and local level. Challenges make this job dynamic and infinitely dear to me. I couldn`t imagine it being any different.

Bogdan: There were various challenges and each one was more difficult. If I look back, everything that came as a current trend in sales, then the migration and development of logistics in Serbia, all of it presented a challenge in itself - not only to accept, but more importantly, to bring closer to clients. In that regard specifically, digitalization has made it all much faster and more accessible and it is among the best answers to some of last year’s challenges.

Goran: As a new member of the company, I would like to single out a densely branched network of groupage lines that makes us different from other companies that provide transport and logistics services.

Jelena: We are distinguished by the approach to logistics work and the fulfillment of the service. Our employees` commitment. The products that make us unique in the domestic market are GW pro.line and Home Delivery.

Bogdan: Although I primarily represent the Air&Sea division, my team always tries to present our clients with additional services and solutions, which are part of our entire offer - whether it be storage or B2B2C concept. This is exactly what I would like to point out - the comprehensive solutions and contract logistics.

Goran: Mutual trust is built with dedicated communication, maximum expertise and work accomplishment.

Jelena: Logistics is people`s business. Client trust is built through the quality of service provided, acceptance of responsibility, transparency, by establishing quality and long-term relationships.

Bogdan: Dedication and professionalism at all times - that is the key to success!

Goran: The logistics sector is constantly facing new challenges and is changing faster than ever. The most obvious change is the increasing use of new technologies, especially information and communication technologies. I would like to point out that great changes are also happening in terms of green logistics and environmental protection.

Jelena: Logistics is a necessity and a link to all activities in the supply chain, a companion of industries and a factor in business optimization. Our digital steps - and our "Best of Both Worlds" strategy - will make communication even easier and more transparent.

Bogdan: The biggest development, in terms of digitalization, has been the B2B2C concept and retail logistics, which found a way through digitalization to get as close as possible to the end user. In particular, we have brought distant destinations closer to users so that the user can track their shipment in real time, from the place of collection to the final address, to gain access to documentation, communicate directly with our agents, all of that through our user portal myGW.

Goran: This year will be in the spirit of digitalization and application of digital tools in all spheres of life, as well as in business in our industry. As before, we will try to respond in the best way to the requests of our clients. This year, too, we are guided by the slogan of being at least one step ahead of the times, and the new myGW portal allows us to do so - wemovesmarter.

Jelena: That would certainly be the further development of Gebruder Weiss` logistics products - eFulfilment, B2C / Home Delivery, as well as the development of the markets along the "Silk Road". I would also like to emphasize the more significant logistical connections within the Balkan countries and the regional logistical approach.

Bogdan: Although the cradle of logistics is Europe, what has been happening in China in recent years, in my opinion, has set an example for other countries. At the time when the COVID-19 epidemic blocked us here in Europe and around the world, China remained active and their transport was functional. They taught us what readiness is and how to act at the right moment. When we talk about trends, it will certainly be further digitalization through its wider application, networking, increase of existing capacities through acquisition, partnership of new companies, all with the aim of adequate response to the market demands.

Goran: We can never say for sure what awaits us in the coming period, but what the previous, turbulent year has demonstrated to us is that only by achieving maximum customer satisfaction and deserved trust, will we be able to overcome all the challenges ahead.

Jelena: Gebrüder Weiss will be focused on developing functional logistics solutions and meeting more diverse customer requirements. An important business focus remains and will be on greening, i.e. orientation towards a sustainable approach to the logistics services. Inevitably, we will also turn to digitalization. In line with market demands - comprehensive solutions, commitment and improvement are and will remain our logistical guidelines.

Bogdan: Quite a challenge, for sure! I believe that transport and logistics will increasingly dominate as an economic branch, and the quality and efficiency of the service will be put to a great test - a task for which we must have a solution prepared.