For our next Atlas member interview, we talked to Arthur Chang from Taipei, Taiwan. He explained what it was like to grow up in a family of freight forwarders, how he was born to do this job and how it became his duty to continue his mother’s company.
How did you get started in the logistics industry and what has your journey been like so far?
Being born in a forwarder family, my parents have always been devoted to this industry, up until now. Ever since I had memories, my parents were always busy and working hard all the time. When I became older, I spent time after school or even during summer vacation to be a little helper, doing the basic paper works in my mother’s company. I told myself I would have a different life when I grew up. After college, I decided to have further education in New York and fortunately, I had a chance to develop my own trading business during my life in the USA. One day, I realized my mom was no longer as young as she was in my image, and that it was my duty to take this responsibility and take good care of her company by leading this team to the next level. Not only to make my mother proud, but so I could do even better than the first generation. That’s how I got into this industry. It was not my intention, but I believe I was born to do this job.
If there is one thing that you could change to the logistics industry, what would it be and why?
They all say this is a traditional industry, I don’t deny. However, I’d like to turn it more friendly as everyone needs logistics. We should have faith we will not be replaceable and more young fellows would join us since it’s a service industry with people connected together. Via new technology and nonstop learning, I wish we could improve our service to a different level.
What do you like most about the industry and your job in particular?
The connection between people. No matter if our customer/partner is domestic or overseas, every day we meet their demand, solve their problem and even do better than their expectation. I enjoy this accomplishment with the spiritual and pecuniary reward.
How do you set yourself apart from your competitors?
By providing friendly and warm service. No matter how good we are, how great our hardware/software is, what really matters is people can feel our enthusiasm. We must think further than our customers do and make them feel the personality of our company, not just cooperating with a machine or system with no temperature. We have the experience of the elder generation and we pass it on to the younger generation. The whole team must keep learning how to serve and be served. So we have weekly case studies and everyone must attend to learn and share.
What do you like the most about being a member of our logistics network?
We are new to this network but I found the quality of most members we’ve contacted to be good. Responses are quick and the feedback we receive contains a lot of detailed information. On top of that, there is good member coverage worldwide.
How do you relax in your free time?
Workdays are really busy, so I spend most free time with my family, which is the most important to me. I also love to have a drink in classic bars on the weekend. Or even to take some refresher courses to improve myself and set an example for my team.
Thank you, Arthur!
