Insights

The freight and logistics industry has been talking about its talent shortage for years.We need younger people. We need new entrants. We need better pathways into freight forwarding and logistics before experienced employees retire and decades of industry knowledge leave with them.But I think we sometimes focus too much on one part of the problem: recruitment.Getting someone...

AI is changing freight forwarding by automating many of the manual tasks traditionally performed by junior employees. The efficiency benefits are obvious, but it raises an important question for employers: if entry-level tasks disappear, how will the next generation gain the experience needed to become tomorrow's freight operators, managers and industry leaders?For decad...

In today's freight and logistics market, attracting experienced employees is only half the battle. Retaining them is where the real challenge begins. After more than 25 years recruiting exclusively within the industry, I've learnt that businesses with exceptional staff retention have one thing in common—they understand why people choose to stay.Finding experienced fr...

​Finding the right person for a freight and logistics role isn't always straightforward.Many employers begin by creating a list of technical requirements. Experience with CargoWise, knowledge of Customs procedures, import or export documentation, dangerous goods, or specific industry sectors often become the focus of the hiring process.These skills certainly matter.Howev...

​When people think about a career in freight and logistics, they often assume success is determined by technical knowledge. Questions about Customs legislation, Incoterms, CargoWise, dangerous goods, or international shipping documentation are common, particularly from people entering the industry.Technical knowledge is certainly important. Every role requires an understandi...

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape freight forwarding and customs brokerage, the profession isn't disappearing, it's evolving. The customs brokers who thrive in the coming years will be those who combine deep compliance expertise with technology, commercial awareness, and problem-solving skills.Is AI replacing Customs Brokers?It's a question being as...

​Why Employee Success in Logistics and Freight Depends on More Than Skills and ExperienceThe logistics and freight industry is facing one of its biggest workforce challenges in years.Skills shortages, increasing operational demands, employee turnover, succession planning concerns, and rising customer expectations are forcing businesses to rethink how they attract and retain ...

Why “Other duties as directed” is becoming a workplace red flagJob descriptions often contain one sentence that candidates notice immediately:“Other duties as directed by management.”Or:“Other duties as required.”For years, this phrase has been considered standard employment language. Employers often include it to allow flexibility as business needs change.But in modern work...

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a cornerstone of employee satisfaction and organisational success. We asked a diverse group of professionals what kind of company culture they’re most drawn to. The responses were honest, insightful, and reflected a shared desire for more meaningful and supportive work environments.Core Values That Mat...

Why interviews sometimes fail to uncover the right candidateOne thing I often do after an interview is speak with the candidate.Not just to give feedback, but to understand what actually happened in the interview process.And over time, a pattern has become clear.Candidates often feel prepared for the interview. They understand their experience. They are ready to showcase the...

Why this mattersMany candidates leave interviews feeling frustrated.Not because they lack experience or ability But because they didn’t get the opportunity to show itAs a recruiter, I often speak to candidates after interviews to understand their experience.A common theme comes up: The questions didn’t go deep enough Key strengths were never discussed Important experience ...

A clear answer for employersMany logistics candidates are open to new opportunities but do not apply for jobs because the roles are unclear, the process feels too slow or the opportunity does not stand out.For employers, this means that a lack of applications does not always indicate a lack of interest.​The gap between interest and actionIt is common for experienced logistic...

A clear answer for employersMost experienced logistics candidates are passive, which means they are not actively applying for jobs. To attract them, employers need to take a more proactive and targeted approach to recruitment.For businesses in freight forwarding, logistics and supply chain, this means moving beyond job ads and focusing on how opportunities are presented and ...

A clear answer for employersMost experienced logistics candidates are not actively looking for jobs.Instead, a large portion of the talent market consists of passive candidates. These are professionals who are open to new opportunities but are not actively applying for roles or searching job boards.For employers in freight forwarding, logistics and supply chain, this has a s...

​Many businesses across the freight, logistics and supply chain industries are facing the same challenge right now: finding experienced professionals is becoming increasingly difficult.Despite ongoing demand for skilled staff, employers often struggle to attract candidates with the right experience in operations, freight forwarding, customer service and supply chain manageme...

Hiring the right person takes time. But when the recruitment process drags on too long, businesses often pay a much bigger price than they realise.In today’s competitive job market, strong candidates move quickly. Many are interviewing with multiple companies and can receive offers within days. If your hiring process is slow or unclear, you may be losing great talent before ...

The logistics industry has always moved quickly.Deadlines shift. Clients rely on you. Shipments do not wait. There is energy, urgency and constant movement.For many leaders in Supply Chain and Freight Forwarding, that pace is part of the appeal.The opportunity today is not to slow the industry down. It is to build teams that can thrive within it.The businesses that are winni...

In many freight and logistics offices, skipping breaks has quietly become normal.People eat lunch at their desk.Screens stay on all day.Emails are answered between bites or during meetings.It often looks like commitment, but in reality, it’s one of the fastest ways stress, fatigue, and errors build up.For managers, this is an area where small changes can make a measurable di...

In freight and logistics offices, stress rarely starts with a single big issue.It builds when the day begins already feeling out of control.Emails arrive before 8am. Multiple priorities compete for attention. Everyone feels busy, but no one is fully clear on what matters most today. The result is constant task-switching, missed details, longer hours, and people working throu...

As we wrap up 2025, one thing stands out above all else: candidate expectations have continued to evolve at a remarkable pace. Job seekers today are more intentional, more values-driven and far more selective about the organisations they choose to join.Throughout the year, the team at People in Focus has gained valuable insight from hundreds of conversations with candidates ...