Introduction
Logistic is very important not only for business companies, but also for government and ministry of defense. In this report, I am going to discuss about the information, significant events, goal and mission, evaluation of the goal and mission, and my reasons to desire working in Agility logistics.
COMPANY INFORMATION
“Agility Logistics was established in Kuwait in 1979” (About us, 2011). In 2004, Agility grew to be the largest logistics providers in the Middle East, and roughly emerge internationally to acquire more than 550 offices in 100 countries (About us, 2011). Their line of business consists of two parts which are global integrated logistics (GIL) and portfolio businesses. Global integrated logistics consists of supply chain solution, freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, project logistics, fair and events, fuels, and chemicals (About us, 2011). On the other hand, portfolio businesses consist of defense and government services, and infrastructure. Defense and government services provide logistics to government, ministries of defense, and international organization. “Agility infrastructure group of companies manages commercial and industrial real estate, offer solutions in customs optimization and clearance, waste manage and recycling, aviation services, remote infrastructure, and life support” (About us, 2011).
Significant Events
Agility Events:
· 2 December 2007: Agility Awarded Contract for Disposal of DoD Unserviceable Equipment (Investor Events, 2011)
· 22 September 2008: Agility Wins Contract To Provide Kuwait National Petroleum Company With 4PL Services (Investor Events, 2011)
· 7 October 2008: Agility Wins $19 Million Contract with CNTPO (Investor Events, 2011)
· 16 August 2011: Clarification from Agility (Investor Events, 2011)
Agility CSR Events:
· 2008: Recycling Globally in Agility offices, Elementary School Renovation in Indonesia (Our Work, 2011).
· 2009: Manila floods in Philippines, Agility Hong Kong participates in the International Coastal Cleanup Challenge (Our Work, 2011).
· 2010: Pakistan floods, Haiti earthquake, Chile earthquake, running for cancer research (Our Work, 2011).
Goal and Mission
The Agility goal: “to be a new type of logistics leader meeting the challenges of global trade” (About us, 2011).
The Agility mission: “to facilitate trade through innovative supply chain solutions” (About us, 2011).
According to Mariam Al-Foudery, Vice President, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility of Agility Logistics “Giving back is core to our culture. Employees at all levels take participation in our global social responsibility agenda seriously and personally.", giving others and volunteering in events shows commitment and dedication to the society, environment, and country.
Evaluation of Goal and Mission
Analysis of the goal: the company desire to distinct themselves from other logistics companies. To be so, they need to recruit high-qualified employees, who hunger for success, can think outside the box to innovate and create new ideas, and can handle working under pressure to achieve the company’s goals. Also, they must provide high-quality equipment. However, they need to think on the amount of salary they are going to spend on those employees and tools to be a unique company. Moreover, they want to bravely face the challenges and eliminate them and to do so, they need to hire a great manager who is able to overcome the difficulties his team will face in their work. Furthermore, the company is looking to expand after they excel in their region; however they need to consider the culture and economy of the country they are going to bring their business to. Also, they need to consider whether they are going to face a competitor and how aggressive they need to be.
Analysis of mission: the company aims to ease and simplify the logistics process to both employees and customers. To do so, the company needs to hire smart and skillful employee who are able create a new routine that simplify their colleague’s work.
Questions
1. What do you think of Agility’s approach to CSR? Is it alright to spend investors’ money on humanitarian efforts?
In my opinion, I believe that agility approach to CSR is very important and shows how they care about humanities. Agility has establish a very clear strategy were it has three main priorities which are disaster relief, sustainability and community volunteerism. As the company expand and grow bigger, the company thought of how they can use their power and energy to the greater good for humanity. So, they provide a humanitarian disaster relief for those who suffer from natural hazards, such as Pakistan floods in 2010. Also, the company tries to improve sustainability in their work operation to avail energy to the next generations. Furthermore, Agility likes to participate in volunteer work, such as vocational rehabilitation for paralyzed veterans. And, I believe it is alright to spend the investors’ money in humanitarian efforts as it will raise the company reputation worldwide. It is going to be known to the world as hero that is a help seeker for those who need to be supported. Also, it will increase their business among companies and countries due to the ethical view.
2. Visit agility’s website, www.agilitylogistics.com, and go over the CSR section. Does the company do a good job in reflecting its CSR activities? What most catches your attention on this website?
Agility has exceled their organization for their corporate social responsibility activities. They have prioritize and organized their activities and wasn’t just a random work. Their main priorities were “provide humanitarian disaster relief, support employee-led community programs, and improve sustainability of their own and customers’ operations” (Social Responsibility, 2011). And what catches my attention wasn’t just keeping records of the enormous effort they have done to the society, but also their planning to benefit society in the future and their ingoing work progress, for example, Agility did not just only make all of their offices go green and save energy, but also encourage customers, employees, industry partners and NGOs to save energy. Because the energy resources will not last forever and we need to save energy for the next generations.
3. Also from the above website, download Agility’s Code of Ethics and Conduct. What is the company’s policy regarding gifts? Can employees accept small monetary gifts from outsiders? How about non-monetary gifts? Do you agree with such policies? Explain.
“The Agility code of ethics regarding gift is to not encourage or solicit gift either on their own behalf or on behalf of members of their family or friends, any gift, gratuity, or other personal benefit or favor of any kind from a current or anticipated supplier, vendor, jobber, agent, consultant, customer or competitor of Agility” (Agility Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, 2011). “Any gift that has values, such as money, merchandise and products, and also discounts on personal services and purchases are strictly prohibited for employees to accept it” (Agility Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, 2011). However, unwanted non-monetary gifts are accepted only “when they are items of insignificant value and do not go beyond common courtesy and accepted business practice” (Agility Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, 2011). In my opinion, I encourage such strict in the part of gift, because it eliminates any conflict and problem that can be caused due to personal interest. Also, it could eliminate skepticism or suspicion between employees when a certain employee receives a gift from a client. Furthermore, the principle of integrity will be representing the company among clients and other companies.
Summary
In my opinion, I would like to work with Agility Logistics Company because their work environment will improve my personality. I would love to work with colleagues who are always getting the job done no matter the circumstances. Also, I would like to witness how Agility employees work under pressure as it is my weakest point. Furthermore, I would love to participate in the company’s corporate social responsibility events to improve my social skills and encourage myself to participate more in the volunteer work.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, this report discussed about the information, significant events, goal and mission, evaluation of the goal and mission, and my reasons to desire working with Agility logistics. If anyone is looking to work in a challenging place and loves to participate in volunteer work, I recommend that person to join the Agility Logistics Company.
References
Agility Code of Business Ethics and Conduct. (n.d.). Agility - A New Logistics Leader. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from stage.agilitylogistics.com/pdf/codeofEthics.pdf
About us. (n.d.). Agility - A New Logistics Leader. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from http://www.agilitylogistics.com/EN/Pages/Agility_About_Us.aspx
Investor Events. (n.d.). Agility - A New Logistics Leader. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from http://www.agilitylogistics.com/EN/Pages/Agility_IR_News_and_Events.aspx
Our Work. (n.d.). Agility - A New Logistics Leader. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www.agilitylogistics.com/EN/Pages/Agility_CSR_OurWork.aspx
Social Responsibility. (n.d.). Agility - A New Logistics Leader. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from http://www.agilitylogistics.com/EN/Pages/Agility_Corporate_Social_Responsibility.aspx
