Ways to Track - Raben Logistics Polska

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8 INTERVIEW People are the only ones, lead the company to Interview with Szabolcs Czifrik Managing Director of Raben Trans European Hungary Raben companies in Hungary merged on March 01, 2012, making Raben Trans European Hungary one of the main logistics companies among logistics service providers operating in Hungary. We asked Szabolcs Czifrik, Managing Director of Raben Trans European Hungary, for an interview on his experiences in professional and... private life. Autoportret < 8 > You joined Raben Group a year ago, but what did you do before that? Before joining Raben, I had been working for another family-owned logistics service provider for 11 years. As I worked in many positions I was lucky enough to learn and experience many parts of TFL business, including international and domestic freight forwarding, contract and chilled logistics. I think these past experiences suit and support me in the current position. What was your first action as Managing Director, especially in the recession, which currently prevails in Hungary? FactS ShEEt The first actions are defined by our ongoing projects. To merge two companies with not exactly the same cultural backgrounds is a big challenge itself. At the same time we are at the last stage of our investment into a new X-dock facility. Raben Group does not have long history in Hungary and as the company was ‘established’ by acquisitions, some Raben assimilation processes are still in progress. These things in Hungary represent the challenge. But we have experienced similar things in other countries. I know at the same time that a crisis is an opportunity. Many tenders are running and as production is declining in the industry, cost-efficient groupage transport is gaining importance. Age: 36 years. Degree: graduated the College of Commerce, Budapest and the University of Economics, Budapest. Languages: German and English. My family: wife, 10-year-old boy, 7.5-year-old girl, twin girls who are 6 years old. My town: I live in a small town next to Budapest in a house with a garden. My hobby: I like reading books and sports: football. I have a busy life coming from my job and big family; I do not remember the phrase ‘get bored’. I like discovering new things and I am quite open to changes. My dream: I do not have big dreams, just small ones. I would like to be successful both in professional and private life. I just need to harmonise them.
who can success Where will the most significant growth occur in the company in the next few years? With better physical infrastructure, we are planning to strengthen domestic distribution. To get enough shipments in the network we need to extend our contract logistics activity as well, as it is the best account for the network. In international trade, Germany is the most important and significant partner of Hungary and we expect some developments in this area. What are the Unique Selling Points of our services in Hungary and what can be important to the local community and to potential Customers? Competition is incredibly strong in Hungary. We were successful in Key Account sales where we had to work out and now offer customised solutions. We put down the basics of field sales and we hope it will deliver the results. However, the best tools for successful sales are good operations and Customer satisfaction. What is your vision for Raben Trans European hungary and for the Managing Director position? The two things are strongly interconnected for me. I would like to get < 9 > to the point where we can say we have got a strong, working Raben in Hungary, we have all infrastructure for good service level (facilities, network, reliable staff and accounts) as a base for future improvement. I do believe we can build our strategy just on strong foundations. We need a committed team who understands and appreciates the values of Raben Group. People are the only ones, who can lead the company to success. What is your biggest challenge for the next 2 years? Firstly, I would like to complete the integration process, to implement the procedures according to Raben standards and to set up the domestic network properly. I would like to put the company on the way to healthy and sustainable growth. How do you motivate the large number of Employees? My weapon is credibility. I do not play tricks but say what I think. I am committed to targets and I expect others to do so, and I also try to set an example. What decisions have you made in your career that you look back on that seem to have been mistakes? What have you learned from them? Of course I have made mistakes. I believe, and I have learned, that some of them help you to improve yourself. If we are brave enough, and I think I was and I am, to face faults and to change them. It is the best way not to make them again in the future. Secondly, it does matter how we correct the mistakes. It is always painful. But it is worth making INTERVIEW We need a committed team who understands and appreciates the values of Raben Group. People are the only ones, who can lead the company to success painful decisions in the long term. This is what I have learned in my life. A leader must be equipped with a set of competences necessary to perform his or her role. Which would you say is the most important ability a leader should have? I think self-confidence, and to believe that what I am doing is essential. It is also important to have the ability to listen to others. A leader must be able to change as the things around are changing, and must be able to execute the changes in the organisation. In our industry, I think it is also important to understand the scope of the activities, otherwise we can come to logical yet wrong decisions. What are the 3 key moments in your career that you either learned from and/or that got you to where you are? 1. 2004 - I was appointed as Operations Manager responsible for 80 people 2. 2007 – I was contracted to work in the UK for 1 year to learn the culture and a different way of thinking there 3. 2011 – I joined Raben as Managing Director How do you set priorities during your work? I consider the importance and deadline at the same time. Thank you for the interview. We wish you success in the fulfilment of your personal and professional dreams and plans. Interview by Ágnes Bolyki Magazine for Raben Group Customers 9
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