CSS Pool Tournament 2010

CSS proudly concluded its first ever Pool tournament recently held at Consolidated Shipping Services Logistics Centre – 1, Jebel Ali. As part of its team building initiatives, the tournament was conducted over 4 rounds with 21 participants from various divisions of CSS Group, of which only 3 were in the final round, T.S. Kaladharan, Chairman CSS Group, Suku Sudhakaran, Asst. General Manager, CSS Abu Dhabi and Kingsly Ravi, Asst. Operation Manager, CSS Logistics. The final round was between T.S. Kaladharan and Suku Sudhakaran with Suku emerging victorious after winning 5-4 of the 9 game match.

The Runner-up and Second Runner-up received Emirates Air Craft Models, while the winner, Suku Sudhakaran walked away with an Emirates ticket to any of its destinations. The event was organized and coordinated by CSS Marketing Department and they extended their gratitude to all the participants for the spirit and enthusiasm shown and special thanks to Sai Prakash Nair, Cargo Sales Manager Emirates Group for sponsoring this event.

Going Green Is not a Choice Any More, It is a Responsibility

Do you think Going Green is an additional expense? Well its not. Wal-Mart, the global leaders in the retail industry, have over 200 million customer transactions per week which have increased its sales to $ 401 billion despite having adopted a go green approach in its business practice last year.

A recent 3PL study conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology shows that 36% of the respondents from the Asia Pacific agree that a green supply chain is very important today and 72% of them believe it will be very important in the future Interestingly almost in all regions across the world, 75% of the respondents agree that a sustainable supply chain becomes a future supply chain initiative among companies. Another study conducted by Supply Chain Management Review says that more than 50 percent of the respondents said they have a documented corporate sustainability plan, and about the same number said their company has a senior executive, often a vice president, dedicated to sustainability in action level. Although the results were encouraging, if we look at the implementation level and return on investment view, many companies are just starting to get involved in sustainability.

In today’s global supply chain network, organizations are looking at moving closer to market particularly towards emerging markets so as to increase the profit. Thus, they try to relocate either their manufacturing facility or their distribution centers. In a globally integrated supply chain environment, manufacturing and logistics account for major emissions. In particular, industrial manufacturing, which accounts for about 80% of the industrial energy consumption, contributes about 80% of the industrial energy-related carbon emissions. Of these, the petroleum, chemicals, and iron and steel industries produce nearly 60% of the total energy-related carbon emissions from manufacturing. The logistics sector accounts for 14% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in which the majority of the emissions are from road transport (76%) and aviation (12%).

For years the logistics industry had showcased enormous growth which also caused rising green gas emission which is seen as the prime cause for global warming. Companies should start focusing ecological responsibility by using energy as efficiently as possible. Going green is not a choice any more it is our responsibility hence it is very important that we do little things in our daily life like reduce, reuse and recycle. While in business we should be looking for more optimized methods which helps in more cost efficient while being a eco friendly organization. Existing business models are now being modified to incorporate green with carbon emission reduction at its core.

Tomorrow Is Yours

The words committed, insightful and talented are but a few descriptors that fit her personality and mind…..Chandrakala, is following her father’s foot steps of shipping business with a determination. After finishing her graduation in business management, Chandrakala went to Singapore to work with Shipco transport before joining the CSS Group. She says that she is following not her father, but her own heart which brought her to the turbulent tides of Shipping business. Like the motto of the recently concluded strategy meet, “Tomorrow is yours”, Chandrakala believes that a young blood revolution is happening in all the segments of business, which is truly encouraging. Presently she is working with the projects department of the CSS Group, whilst pursuing a Post graduation in Logistics in Dubai.

CSS Group Presence

  • Airfreight operations office & Warehouse (Dubai Cargo Village)

  • CSS Logistics L.L.C. (Dubai Airport Freezone)

  • Supply Chain Management Facility- (Jebel Ali Free Zone)

  • Container Freight Station  Facility- (Jebel Ali Free Zone)

  • CSS Homeward Bound (Dubai Creek Customs)

  • Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C.  – (Abu Dhabi)

  • Consolidated Shipping Services W.L.L. – (Bahrain)

  • Consolidated Shipping Services W.L.L. – (Kuwait)

  • Consolidated Shipping Services (Saudi Arabia)

  • Console Shipping Services India Pvt. Ltd.

  • Console Shipping Services Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.

  • Twin Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd.(Kochi)

  • Devas Holidays & Travel Services India Pvt. Ltd. (Kochi)

  • Hindustan Shipping & Clearing House – (Kochi)

TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET ?

“To tweet or not to tweet?” – This is the question. Is it better to tweet and risk inadvertently undermining your companies potential and prospects or better not to tweet and lose an easy opportunity to build up social relationships with an ever expanding network of friends, clients and potential opportunities? This dilemma, especially in the workplace, is exercising the minds of many executives.

“Tweeting” is the faster example of Internet social networks but other favourites from amongst many; include “Face book”, “MySpace”, “BlogSpot” “LinkedIn” and “YouTube”. Their growth has developed so quickly that it has taken many businesses by surprise. The “X” generation (born between 1960 – 1980) are statistically not as Internet active as the “Y” generation (born between 1980 – 2000) but both are somewhat put into the social networking shade by the “ADD” generation (born since 2000). In this younger group “ADD” is used to associate them, rather unkindly, with “attention deficit disorder”. However this comparison highlights a view that they are use to instant updates, responses and interaction. It also means that if stuck for information they readily use the Internet as a workplace tool to find resources for information.

A progressive company therefore needs to assess the potential risks and advantages of social networking because it is with us now and growing exponentially. On the downside, there is a real risk that access to the web might enable malware, spyware and other virus style programmes to enter a company’s network as well as postings inadvertently disclosing information of value to competitors. These threats cannot be ignored. Another downside, if you add up the potential hours an employee might spend checking their “facebook”, “myspace” or “LinkedIn” postings and profiles etc., is the time spent on such activities rather than actually working.

Equally though the upside is that workplace social networking, when used responsibly, provides an inexpensive way of keeping in touch and developing business relationships and spotting new opportunities. However many choose to be members of social networks by choosing a name which expresses their personalities. Whilst “Crazy Jane” and “Raving Robbo” might be good for normal “twitter” chat it will not be appropriate to use it within the workplace as it may well detract from the required corporate image. “Crazy Jane” and “Raving Robbo” must be careful not to forget that their bosses may also be reading their postings!

Whilst my personal view is that workplace social networking provides a challenging opportunity, it is fairly easy to find experts queuing up to disagree.  More recent research is beginning to support the view that employees who are allowed to use the Internet, to contact family and friends especially during breaks, usually return to their workspaces more refreshed. Furthermore current information indicates that companies who deploy the best and most effective means of communication succeed better. Indeed there are now numerous Human Resources departments who use social networking to keep employees up to date. Information, contact, meetings and other activities within a company are communicated through social networking. Companies may effectively save on training by utilising the fact that so many “X”, “Y” and “ADD” generation employees know how to use social networking.

However an acceptance of such an approach means that there has to be clear policies as to how workplace social networking may or may not be used. Naturally there have been problems, as with any new technology, but there is no question in my mind that where companies have embraced the newest Internet opportunities they have benefited over those who have not. The challenge for a company is to find a way to defend against adverse intrusions whilst at the same time fostering employee responsibility and productivity. So whilst “Crazy Jane” and “Raving Robbo” should not be used, given appropriate names and a responsible approach then you may reach the same conclusion as I do and “tweet”. Ultimately, success in this challenge rests with YOU.