The 4^th session of Volga-Dnepr Global School took place on 28-29 September in Stansted, UK and was devoted to customer relationship management.

Let us remember that the 1^st session took place in March 2014 in Moscow; the 2^nd one was devoted to APAC region and was organized in July 2014 in Hong Kong; and the 3^rd one was conducted in February 2014 in Ulyanovsk.

This time the location was a traditional English estate, surrounded by the emerald lawns, where the 43 members from all of the company’s global offices trained and studied in amicable atmosphere. The participants also had a great opportunity to visit the old town of Cambridge and immerse themselves into the culture and traditions of classical British education.

Working in teams the members of the global offices became the part of an exciting adventure – the new knowledge search.

One of the most interesting and important program blocks was the creation of a global team. Through various sport activities the participants had a chance to explore both their personal and consolidated management competencies.

The major subject of the session was to discuss a range of issues connected with the customer relationship and accumulation of knowledge about the industries which we perform cargo transportations for. The subject for discussion was chosen deliberately as it is really crucial to understand that we will be able to benefit our customers only provided that we possess the knowledge significant for these customers.

Tatyana Arslanova, the vice-president of the Group for strategy and charter operations, told the participants about the current status of the company strategic projects. The representatives of the global offices Sergey Reznikov, Evgeniy Lazarev, Robert van de Weg, Andrey Shumilin, Mateus Salvadori put under discussion the format of the customer industry file which was enhanced during the group work.

On the second day Stan Wraight spoke about the recent development trends in the field of cargo transportation and the challenges the industry will have to meet.

All the participants have a unanimous opinion that this session helped them make another considerable step towards the Customer.

Sergey Lazarev, ABC director-general:

– First of all I’d like to express my gratitude to those who organized and conducted this event! Thanks to their expertise, creativity and effective cooperation we had an absolutely remarkable training session. Not only did we get some practical suggestions but also some food for thought which, I’m sure, will also have practical payback.

Georges Biwer, Vice President EMEA:

– I was impressed and thankful for being able to having met all the colleagues from all over, and especially being new. This helps a lot to get faces to names. The teambuilding exercise was good, and educative, and brings back to what you shall focus most, even in daily job attentions. Was good to see Mr. Isaykin being present and active, and this is very motivation indeed.
This was very well organized session!

Andre Sies, Head of strategic partnerships, Global:

– What I liked most of all is the good team spirit during the physical exercises as well as during the group assignments. Besides, I truly appreciate also the fact being challenged by the moderators and speakers on how we can create further added value to our customers with our combined VDA/ABC services portfolio and think outside the box.

Steve Harvey, Chief commercial officer, Cargologicair:

– I found the whole event very enjoyable and rewarding, I firmly believe that to stand still is the same as going backwards in today’s ever changing business world so with the type of event that you organised allows all sales/commercial/marketing staff to work together discussing ideas that will insure we are leading the Air Cargo Industry and not following along behind. I truly hope that a lot of the positive solutions are actioned and can be seen either implemented or in the process of being confirmed when we have the next education event in Seattle.

Stanislav Belov, director for sales in India, Africa and Middle East, AFL:

– I feel we’re a united team despite the fact we sometimes have different views on business and further development paths. Besides this I’d like to highlight that joint physical activities really facilitate the team-building process.

Andrey Rassadkin, deputy CCO, head of key customers relationship department, VDM:

– This event had a really positive impact:

Firstly it’s a chance to cooperate in informal atmosphere and not only for the representatives of a single business stream (let’s say charter operations), but all of the Group businesses. Within two days we managed to discuss some important issues and cooperate with colleagues who are difficult to catch up with in the working days flow.

Secondly, it’s a good opportunity to update and synchronize the vectors of strategic development, to shape a common idea of strategic objectives and projects.

Finally, such events help to establish personal contacts with the managers from different business units of the Group.

Andrey Shumilin, advisor to CEO, ABC, USA:

– It was great! Jerry Chavez in the role of Ms.Marple was just magnificent! I also really enjoyed the sport activities.

Andrey Andreev, Head of Sales and Business Development, AFL:

– There is definitely a certain confidence in getting both VDA/ABC and now CLA teams more and more together. As a results of that – part charter fixed together with Axel Kaldschmidt for GE during the session from PIK to SIN. And overall I think previously somehow separated teams are indeed getting together into a one big International family aiming for same target – to be №1 in the industry.

On the session completion it was decided that the next one will take place in Seattle, USA which is the hometown for our customer.

The materials and the photos from this session can be seen on the corporate portal in the Volga-Dnepr Global School community.