This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.
The global trade environment continues to operate with high-stakes uncertainty. The obstacles are a blend of what have become constant hurdles coupled with the new territory of tariff wars and political unrest. The trade must endeavor to account for regular environmental and regulation changes, continuous transportation impediments, and ever-fluctuating international policies.
For a trading company or export business such as ours to be successful in this environment, we must be comfortable with change and be able to pivot quickly. We continue to focus on building a coordinated network of land and sea carriers, along with third-party facilities and vendors, to execute timely shipments and deliveries. We’ve found that by building on a base of trust and communication, we can differentiate ourselves and bring value to those partners by being the most reliable affiliate in the supply chain.
In the last several years, I’ve written a lot about the challenges the industry has faced and the hurdles put in front of us. I often have a nugget of wisdom to pass on or a calculated plan of attack. This year, I have come to the realization that these changes and unrest will always be a mainstay in our business, and knowing who you are and the part you play is more important than mounting said plan of attack. Communication with suppliers, vendors, and customers has become a pillar in our business. We ask hard questions, we transact and perform while striving to be nimble, and we welcome the change, knowing that the secret ingredient may very well be in how well you adapt. These have been the foundation of our business amid the perfect storm of global trade.