We are out and about

There are so many things that you don’t learn at business school, but just during normal day-to-day work. We learn by paying proper attention to what our eyes and ears are telling us. By spending a lot of time out and about with our clients and suppliers. They make us aware of our position and role within the process as a whole. And in doing so, they provide us with insights that we could never have gained from a business model or theory book. That’s why looking outside has been part of our approach since the company was set up in 1943.

A good example is the unloading of ships in the harbour. A facility manager noticed that cargo ships would sometimes spend a very long time moored in the harbour, as not enough personnel were available to unload them. He immediately arranged for cleaning staff to step in. They now help to unload goods from the ships. You just have to see it.