Express logistics expert Simon Brooks delivered a University masterclass for UWL students on the Express Manager degree. Hottest day of the year in a heatwave February, between rain storms for a treat of guest lecture delivery by Simon Brooks, fellow of the Institute of Couriers since 2016, a lifetime career in Express logistics. Simon smiled as he recounted depot 41 loading on the national network with an eye in the sky view from the bay bollard.

Explaining his career in express, Simon delivered an integrated journey in the sector across FedEx, Interlink, Tuffnells and DPD. ‘I have been lucky enough to get a lens of how different carriers operate.

Focused on sector, Simon delivered a highly integrated guests lecture rich in real case studies of plan and plan change to hit KPIs when the business plan changes. ‘Whilst the sector has similarity in its hub and spoke model the client interaction can be very different. The client can be very different, BtoB or BtoC’

Ice breaker twisted around a logistics brain storm – Red & Black – separate groups, separate choices in a point score that dynamically adjusted the count competing the items. Unpicking the task of learning about management that leads to a vision statement.

Management styles, On a Monday I am autocratic, Tuesday I am democratic, Wed Transformational, by Friday I am Transactional!

Styles must mix and merge for success.

You must step off the Hamster Wheel to be a great manager on Express Logistics. The best time to get off the Hamster Wheel is when there is a problem, step off and sort that problem.

Business and strategic planning, Simon introduced the vision statement, creating the mission statement talking value and profit. Simon explained, ‘You will have created your focus reason, you will have created your own objectives and you will have your KPIs set ready to deliver on. What if the plan Changes!

Simon delivered the case study of express moving to seven day delivery.

Simon moved to Let's explore, 7-day working, Parcel lockers, Consolidation of Carriers. These are objectives changing impacts on the business plan. ‘Let's look at changes in the plan over the course of ten years to examine when the strategic plan changes, what does plan change mean for a plan signed off, shared and committed for 1-3 years. These plan changes move the objectives and KPIs, but these changes move the long term strategy?

To be the number one carrier, is it service-driven or margin-driven?

Simon moved on to Margin Considerations, The four headlines – Delivery vs collection – C&D Round vs Trailer Pull – Service vs Cost – Failure vs success.

Candidates smiled and nodded with gusto as Simon reviewed the different styles of manager. ‘Leadership Styles – Autocratic Leadership – (decisive) – Democratic Leadership – Transformational Leadership – Transactional Leadership. The challenge is to mix leadership style. Autocratic leadership works in express sector, transformational, hub falls over, how do we get I and sort it, the Express manager Can-do Attitude. Transactional leaders are spot on their numbers. You need all four!

Case study focused to ask candidates where they fitted in the leadership styles, Autocratic, democratic, transformational, Transactional.