José Geraiss - DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Let's dive right in.

1. José, can you provide an overview of your role as an Agents department and Global Business Development Director at iContainers? What are your key responsibilities and objectives?

As the Agent department manager, my core responsibility is to create and grow partnerships worldwide to increase the coverage of our services on our platform and the number of sales of the company overall for each of our branches.

2. What is the reason a global partner decides to work with us?

The main reason is that we take our values very seriously. Once an agent experiences the reliability, transparency, and commitment we take when handling each of their shipments, it's easier for them to convert a on-time shipment, to a repetitive customer.

3. What inspired you to pursue a career in international freight forwarding and cargo management?

The idea is to connect with people overseas in order to complete or fulfill an operation internationally.

4. How do you support international freight forwarders and cargo agents in their exports and imports? Are there specific challenges you've helped them overcome?

Market and operations knowledge is key. Experience is the most important factor in this industry, and that’s what we offer to our customers worldwide. The main challenge we face is to convey the struggle of the road transportation limitations in the USA. Furthermore, we must consider the importance of the timing for the ISF and AMS filing and how it affects all stakeholders.

5. What achievements or milestones are you particularly proud of during your time as the Agents department manager?

One of the things I'm very proud of is having developed new tradelanes from USA to Latin America and develop strong partnerships in Asia for our B2B team to generate more solutions for our customers.

6. The logistics and freight industry is constantly evolving. How do you stay updated on industry trends and technology advancements to serve your clients better?

Having conversations and discussion with colleagues in the USA or overseas. newsletters we receive from the different carriers with data analysis and of course the posts from peers on social media, like LinkedIn, sharing information helps you to be on top of what's going on.

7. What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to excel in a similar role or within the logistics and cargo industry?

Be proactive, Be ready to tackle challenges, keep calm, trust, and work alongside your teams and different departments.

8. How do you maintain a work-life balance while managing a dynamic department like Agents at iContainers?

Exercising and blocking your time for your loved ones and yourself are the keys. Having your body and mind healthy will make you succeed.

9. Can you tell us about your vision for the future of the Agents department and how you plan to continue contributing to iContainers' success?

I envision the Agents department becoming a global leader in the future, expanding our network of partnerships worldwide. Through advanced technology, we'll enhance communication and collaboration, ensuring seamless service for clients across the globe. Specialized teams will cater to specific regions and industries, offering unparalleled expertise. We aim to be the premier choice for international logistics solutions, driving iContainers' continued success.

10. In the world of international logistics, solution selling is crucial. Can you elaborate on your approach to identifying and providing tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of your customers?

Be trustworthy and commit. Partners overseas are looking for somebody who represents their values when handling their shipments on their behalf.

11. Can you share an example of a complex customer challenge that your team successfully addressed through solution selling? What was the outcome?

Selling solutions is incredibly important. Our approach focuses on understanding each customer's unique needs and problems. Then, we tailor our solutions to fit those specific requirements. By building trust and showing our dedication, we aim to become trusted partners for our clients, representing their values when handling their shipments globally.

Here's an example of a tough challenge we recently tackled: we moved over-dimensional and overweight machines on 18 FR from China to the USA, but the overweight made it difficult for transportation in the USA by rail to the final delivery location of the consignee. Using solution selling, we came up with a detailed logistics plan. This plan included proper unloading of the goods once they arrived into the USA and coordinate with our trucking providers all permits required to transport it to consignee's warehouse. The customer needed constant monitoring and tracking of their pieces since they left China and our Business intelligence section, besides allowing monitor any demurrage it could have faced, allowed it to get real time tracking of the cargo. The result? We successfully delivered the items within the given timeframe, going above and beyond what the customer expected. This not only satisfied the customer but also strengthened our reputation for being reliable.

12. When engaging with clients, how do you understand their pain points and objectives to offer them the most effective logistics solutions?

With our clients, we take a deep dive into understanding their pain points and goals. We listen carefully, ask probing questions, and analyzing their specific needs. By empathizing with their challenges and aligning our solutions with their objectives, we offer the most effective logistics solutions tailored to their unique requirements, such as specific rates to help them hit their targets.

13. Building trust is essential. How do you establish and maintain trust-based relationships with your customers?

We establish trust by being transparent and reliable. We build confidence in our solutions by consistently delivering on our promises and keeping our clients informed every step of the way. Additionally, we prioritize understanding their needs and concerns, tailoring our approach to address them effectively. This personalized attention and commitment to their success solidify trust-based relationships, ensuring our clients have full confidence in our proposed solutions.

14. In your opinion, what sets iContainers apart when it comes to offering innovative and customer-centric solutions in the logistics industry?

Visibility, transparency, and efficient solutions. iContaines as a company works exhaustively to fulfill these core values. The data analytics and track and trace tool allow our customers and partners to monitor their shipments and past performance at a glance and check their current status. So, as mentioned, basically transparency and solutions, because we offer different options to the customer, we suggest the best for each particular need, and transparently provide them with the breakdown of charges.

15. Finally, what does being featured in the employee spotlight mean to you, and is there anything else you'd like to share with your colleagues and peers on LinkedIn?

Being showcased in the employee spotlight reflects the commitment and effort of our entire Agents department team. It's a chance to discuss what we've achieved and how we help iContainers. On LinkedIn, I'd thank my colleagues for their support and share some cool things we're doing to improve the logistics industry.