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Weekly Updates101+ Actions to Improve Transportation and Logistics Performance, 2nd Edition, by Walter L. Weart, Edward J. Marien, and Lee Cisneros, Pigwick Papers, LLC. ISBN 978-0-97542433-9.
This book is not your typical logistics classroom text. It is instead a practical guide that bridges the gap between transportation theory and practice. And that bridge is a wide one, for the authors have consolidated into one publication hundreds of the practical nuts and bolts needed to build and manage a modern transportation and logistics department. The plan of organization is logical and the content is quite complete - to the point that this reviewer wishes he had 101+ Actions on hand as a reference when re-building an underperforming logistics department not too long ago.
For those new to the profession, such as recent transfers from production, finance, or sourcing who suddenly find themselves in charge of a transportation and logistics staff, this text can function as a ready reference - a way to quickly look up and learn the most critically needed new terms and concepts suddenly on your plate. In essence the book can either be a personal mentor or can allow the reader to become his or her own consultant. And this text is also a valuable tool for the experienced practitioner - a comprehensive reference to verify that all of the essential transportation and logistics procedures needed by your company are in place, completely documented, and properly executed. This book should also be recommended reading for junior transportation and logistics department members, as both a means to expand their own expertise and perhaps as an inspiration for improvement projects at their own companies.
The structure of 101+ Actions collects related concepts into logical sections dedicated to strategic, tactical, execution, and performance tracking issues. Significant concepts are further explained by a stream of useful case studies that illustrate most of the key points in each section.
One suggestion made by the authors may seem odd or impractical to some: Breaking down departmental responsibilities into separate Team A, Team B, and Team C functions the strategic issues, tactical concerns, and plans of action the book is built upon. This could be impractical because most transportation and logistics departments today do not have the luxury of enough staff to support the clean separation of these functions as suggested. Instead, current departments are more likely to blend the responsibilities of the three suggested teams into a single, much smaller group of staff members with overlapping responsibilities. This is not to suggest that the authors' approach is flawed--it is not. As a learning exercise this separation is quite helpful, especially to those new to the profession. But the reality of corporate America's lean staffing mantra will most likely require transportation and logistics managers to integrate these responsibilities into a single, multi-functional team.
There is some room for improvement in future editions of 101+ Actions. The definition of ton, for example, correctly explains short and long tons, but does not provide the companion definition for metric ton, perhaps a reflection of the first edition' s domestic orientation. While this second edition does a credible job of including international information such as INCOTERMS 2000, expanded international references in future editions would be a welcome improvement and would further expand the book's usefulness as commerce becomes ever more global in scope.
Readers should be cautioned to verify that actions suggested in the book are in alignment with their own corporate policies. Action Item 120, for example, which refers to export shipments, states: "... U.S. Shippers are forbidden to pay bribes ...". And while this is true for business transacted within the U.S., there are still parts of the world where "incentive fees" of one sort or another are required for commerce to function. Readers should have been advised instead to consult their own corporate directives on this delicate subject, as some U.S. companies actually operate under approved guidelines that permit such payments if they would be, to paraphrase one policy: "... customary in the normal course of business in that country conducted solely by citizens of that country ... and necessary for the business transaction to take place."
To summarize, this book would be a valuable addition to the library of any practicing logistician, and should be required reading for those who want to reach or remain at the top of their game.
George Yarusavage, CTL, C.P.M.
Logistics Manager
M-real USA Corp.
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
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