JAS Worldwide
6195 Barfield Rd.
Atlanta, GA, USA
Whether scaling snow-capped mountains peaks or elevating client strategies, Cissy Lu, JAS China's Country Head of Sales, always sets her sights beyond the horizon.
Navigating the complex landscape of global logistics, Cissy Lu has carved out a remarkable path to become the Chief Commercial Officer of JAS China. Her journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and passion for customer growth.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Reach
Cissy's career began without a clear roadmap, driven only by a desire to work in sales. Her entry into the logistics world came through an organization specializing in courier services, where she first experienced the adventure of working for a company with global reach. "Logistics and supply chain management was a new concept for China when I started my career," Lu recalls. "I found the prospect exciting, especially working with an American company with a global footprint."
However, Lu's appetite for learning and growth soon led her to seek deeper experiences in the industry. She accepted a new role where she honed her skills in account management and branch leadership. This move allowed her to dive deeper into creating tailored solutions for customers – a passion that would define her career.
The Power of Perspective: Big and Small
Lu's career path is marked by strategic moves between large corporations and smaller, specialized firms. Looking for a new challenge, she joined a company specializing in food, beverage, and spirits transportation. This shift allowed her to combine her commercial expertise with people management skills in a more focused environment.
"Working for smaller companies, you don't have the resources that the 'giants' do," Lu explains. "You have to manage the customers yourself and strategize more." This experience proved invaluable when she joined JAS in April 2022, bringing her strategic thinking to a larger platform.
Leadership in Action: Making the Impossible Possible
Lu's leadership philosophy is rooted in action and adaptability. "Learning by doing" is her approach, emphasizing that leadership styles evolve with experience. She advocates for situational leadership, stressing the importance of emotional intelligence and personal connections.
Her mantra, "Make the impossible possible and always have a contingency plan," came into play when she started at JAS during the Shanghai lockdown. Undeterred, Lu saw it as an opportunity to build rapport with her team, encouraging everyone to turn on their cameras during virtual meetings – a move that challenged cultural norms but fostered closer connections.
Championing Women in Logistics
When asked about working in a male-dominated industry, Lu offers a balanced perspective. "Men and women have a good balance and are complementary to each other," she states. "It shouldn't be a 'one is better than another' situation." Her leadership at JAS China is a testament to this belief, with women comprising a significant portion of the operations staff.
The Horizon Strategy: Elevating Customer Devotion
Under Lu's guidance, the China office has implemented the "Horizon Strategy," focusing on people, customer devotion, and tailor-made solutions. Her approach to upleveling customer service is both practical and inspiring. "Every idea doesn't have to be a big idea," she tells her team, "But it does have to show that you're willing to go the extra mile."
In the vibrant heart of Chicago, our freighter operation orchestrated a remarkable display of efficiency and precision. Our plane touched down on the tarmac at 12:19 PM, and by 12:29 PM, our aircraft was parked and ready, with our 53-foot trailer positioned alongside. This moment, captured against the backdrop of a radiant Chicago sky, symbolized our meticulous coordination and unwavering readiness.
Just 18 minutes later, our first truck began its journey to JAS ORD, marking the swift commencement of the cargo’s journey. In collaboration with our dedicated partners, our team worked with remarkable precision to ensure every kilogram was meticulously handled. By 1:59 PM, the flight was empty, and we had successfully offloaded an impressive 95,549 kilograms in just 1 hour and 30 minutes.
In the realm of freight forwarding, where both speed and safety are crucial, this feat exemplifies our commitment to excellence. Our efficient turnaround not only highlights our core values but also underscores our promise of rapid and secure cargo handling.
As we enjoyed the beautiful Chicago day, with our trailer and plane framed in a perfect snapshot of efficiency, it became clear: we don’t just move cargo; we redefine the standards of reliability and efficiency. Our streamlined operations significantly reduce tarmac time, especially for temperature-controlled shipments, ensuring optimal conditions every step of the way.
Here’s to achieving flawless results with every shipment—where success transcends promise and becomes a stunning reality.
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October 2024 – Santiago, Chile – JAS Chile is proud to announce that it has been named a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row. This prestigious recognition highlights the company's commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and empowering work environment that prioritizes employee well-being and growth.
The Great Place to Work award is based on employee feedback, recognizing organizations that promote a strong company culture, trust, and engagement. JAS Chile’s continuous efforts to enhance its workplace culture have been instrumental in achieving this honor. The company places a high value on creating an environment where employees feel respected, heard, and motivated to contribute to the company’s success.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized again as a Great Place to Work,” said Rodrigo Bustos, Managing Director of JAS Chile. “This achievement is a testament to our team’s dedication and our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where every employee can thrive. We believe that when our people succeed, our business succeeds.”
JAS Chile continues to invest in initiatives that promote employee development, diversity, and inclusion, as well as programs focused on mental and physical health. The company strives to maintain a culture that supports work-life balance, innovation, and open communication, making it a rewarding place to work for all team members.
By receiving this award for the second consecutive year, JAS Chile reaffirms its status as a leading logistics company not only in terms of operational excellence but also as an employer of choice. The company remains committed to nurturing its talented workforce as it continues to grow and expand its global footprint.
With job actions suspended and ports resuming operations, efforts are now focused on clearing the significant backlog caused by the three-day strike. Full recovery is expected to take most of October, as dockworkers manage the accumulated vessels and cargo.
Carrier Actions: Force Majeure and Surcharges
In response to the disruption in the past days, major carriers like COSCO, ONE, CMA CGM, and Evergreen declared force majeure, which could lead to additional fees for shippers in the coming weeks. As the strike forced many carriers to divert containers to alternative ports, delays and added complications may persist.
With port operations now resuming, shippers should remain alert to detention and demurrage fees, as the previous suspension of these charges during the strike has ended, with trucks waiting outside the gates also those charges are to be expected. The ongoing congestion is expected to exacerbate these costs. Many carriers have also announced disruption surcharges, set to take effect by mid-October. However, shippers should not be surprised if these charges do not always materialize, as carriers often announce such fees without clarifying when they will be withdrawn. Shippers are encouraged to review their contracts and force majeure clauses to better understand potential additional costs.
Global Market Disruptions Ripple On
Although the strike is over, its effects are expected to ripple across global markets. In about two weeks, there may be a temporary reduction in export capacity from Europe, further driving up freight rates. This disruption could spread to other regions with a delayed impact. Global logistics networks will take time to fully stabilize, and rate volatility is likely to continue.
Air Freight Surge as Ocean Capacity Tightens
With ocean freight constrained, shippers are turning to air freight, causing rates to rise sharply. Time-sensitive shipments, in particular, are facing higher costs as air freight capacity is stretched. Businesses relying on fast deliveries should brace for continued increases in air freight costs.
JAS Worldwide: Supporting Your Supply Chain Needs
JAS Worldwide remains committed to helping businesses navigate these challenges. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and are ready to provide customized solutions to minimize disruptions. Whether you need alternative air freight services, rerouting assistance, or expert advice, JAS Worldwide is here to support your supply chain. Contact your JAS representative today to create a strategic plan that ensures your operations remain resilient and efficient.
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