Reflection on the past 13 week workshop learning By Li Kai Ching, Tommy (52610371)

After 13 weeks, I learn a lot in this special course and really appreciate the work Sandy has done. From designing course work to approaching companies for site visit, those things can give me and my classmate a better learning content in this course.

For me, visiting a company is a very useful method for learning, as the things I saw in those companies like Kerry logistics, TAL, Yakult and HIT, are very special and practical. It is difficult for a student to visit those reputable companies and understand their operation. Also, their staff would have a presentation to introduce their company and I could listen the sharing of their senior workers sometimes. The knowledge learnt from those visit is hard to find it in books. Those site visits really broadened my horizons and inspired me a lot. I really appreciate those precious opportunities to go to those companies for learning.

Moreover, the case studies were a decent way for me to learn and consolidate not only logistics knowledge, but also business knowledge. They provided another channel for me to approach logistics. For example, I read the teaching materials and browse on internet to answer questions during class time. It is different from classical methods, like studying notes, as I can learn from different dimensions. Also, those cases are leaders in their business area. There are many things I can discover in their business operation. In addition, the questions of those case studies guided me to think and learn through those companies. It is because I might miss some important part but the questions would lead me to the main points or crucial area.

Last but not least, the course design is good for learning in a comfortable and effective environment. As examination may give huge pressure to some students, they might learn by rote. They could forget those stuffs easily after examination, so it might not be an effective learning measure. However, this course included inside and outside classroom activities. I think it is a good combination for learning as I can learn from different aspects. They offered different kinds of knowledge. They can bring out a decent result that is why it is a good combination. Furthermore, without examination, I can learn in a less pressure environment. It is more effective for me to acquire knowledge. Therefore I really appreciate the design of this course.

There only one drawback for attending this lesson was that the lesson time was quite early. It was hard to get up so early. But it could be another type of training. In overall, I was enjoy attending this course.  

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning By Yeung Ho Kuen (52608166)

Reflection learning blog

To begin this course, Lecturer told students about the course design and intended learning outcomes, including all the learning activities, so as to help student understand the course in depth. Initially, it is quite strange for me to have so many activities in one course. I was worried about the workloads in this course. However, my perception has changed after I participated in those activities. I enjoyed the course and reflected a lot mainly due to three reasons.

First of all, the design of the course strengthens our interpersonal skills and integrates our knowledge with real business. The course provided several learning activities including case studies and discussion and company visit. During the lectures, we had to finish three case studies by discussion with group mates. The cases enrich our knowledge on how the real business practice runs and hence consolidate our supply chain knowledge. More importantly, our presentation skills also make improvement since we have to present our ideas in front of the class. It is quite different to others core courses in management science to perform a number of presentations. Personally, I enjoyed the presentation very much because of opportunities provided to enhance my presentation skills. The course provided us necessary practice before graduation.

Second, company visits provided, which was the most appreciate part to me, broadens my horizons. It was the first time to me to visit logistic companies. The company we visited, including TAL, HIT, YAKULT etc., gave us different insight on logistic industries. Fortunately, the lecturer, Sandy, is very helpful and had provided us a lot of information about company before we went. Thus, we were not strangle about those companies and more easy to disclose the company operations. More importantly, staff impressed us a lot from their talents to discussion with them. After I finished all the visits, I made reflection on how to equip myself for the graduated job and what characteristic should I contain. With the sharing from staffs and lecturer, I got some valuable opinions and it inspires me a lot. I believed all of the knowledge I gained from the visit is invaluable to my career. I appreciate this activity the most.

Last but not least, the even-distributed workload in this course allows me to learn in relaxing way. The design of workload is great so that we didn’t have to carry too much work at the same time. The even-distributed workloads keep us in contact with the assessment, but we didn’t feel stressful. Therefore, we found it relaxing and enjoy learning in knowledge of the course.

 Both deep understanding and deep knowledge were present in this course. The company we visited demonstrated how real business run by using supply chain knowledge. Their demonstration strengthens our understanding and makes our knowledge applicable in our future.

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning By Ivy Chan Yee Man (52723918)

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning
By Ivy Chan Yee Man (52723918)

 

Rushing to the next class session after a firm visit, this is my typical life on my Wednesday class schedule. I enjoy this type of busy class schedule since I have the chance to visit firms about supply chain management and logistics in Hong Kong which is a valuable experience that only bought by this course during my university life in CityU.

Since given with a chance to take a look on what was really happening at company daily operations in real life, I can do what was set in the Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), for instance, the third point listed in the course outline that exploring and determining the major operational challenges faced in n implementing an integrated supply chain management strategy from a global perspective. Through the Q and A session, I can learn how the company will do to deal with the global challenges in supply chain management and have a chance to know more about what was the current strategy implemented by the firm when facing the challenges.

In my own opinion, I appreciate the use of case studies as teaching tools and activities. But it will work better if the teacher can brief the students what was the main theories and models that have been applied in the case. This can give a stronger impression on what the students have “taken away” from those case studies rather than just preparing and listening to other group’s presentation. As there are total 8 students in my group including myself, some of us are just having a lower chance in joining the presentation preparation work and the discussion since only two to three computers are allowed at the AC3 classroom. 

About the assessment of the lecturer, I think the classes were scheduled in an organized way since the lecturer has set deadlines and time limits for each individual question of each case study. So the time can be controlled in a better way when compared to other course that I have taken in previous semester which case studies and discussion were also provided as teaching tools. With the blog and the social network tool facebook, I was given a great chance to share my learning experience and ideas with my peers. The lecturer had provided us time and space to us for our reflection on learning and asking questions on the things that we learnt.

I enjoyed attending and participating in the workshop activities especially the company visit part. I will not have the chance to visit the company like Hactl since the company only allows group visits and names must be given to the firm as safety and confidential issues.

The workload of this course is moderate and is just appropriate for me. With two post visit reports, Wiki presentation, in-class discussion and case presentation, it is enough to equip the students to have a comprehensive understanding on the topics.
 

To conclude, I have a valuable learning experience in this course.

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning By Christy Law Hiu Tung (52592521)

Learning Reflection

In the course we studied the case about TAL using VMI and made-to-measure to gain competitive advantage, seven-eleven and FedEx successful in its industry with the advanced technology. Those case studies would be discussed in the lessons can help us to have deeply understanding of the company and how to apply some logistics and supply chain knowledge in the business practice. The in-class discussion also gives us chance to search the information about companies in the web sites. Also lecturer can consolidate our knowledge on logistics supply chain management and concept. It is very useful for us to have a review of three years logistics learnings.

Besides the company visits include TAL, HACTL, Kerry, Yakult and HIT can make us know more about the logistics supply chain management. I learned that how company can build up a long term relationship and provide confidence to their customers by using business strategy and avoid unhappy from their customers. It is worth for us to have a visit since we cannot go to those company to have a sharing and discussion session with the employers in order to have better understanding in real business environment. They shows how using value-adding activities to gain the market share and even competitive advantage against other competitors and how they using their innovation and technology and computer systems to influence the supply chain management.

And we studied the case about before the visit such as TAL. We can get more information about the TAL before the visit. In the discussion and presentation in the lessons, we used the summarizing skill when we read the notes of case study, so we can conclude and pointed out the important information in the notes before the visit. We search for the news related to TAL in the internet. During the visit, we are thinking the critical point in the presentation in the visit and then ask the following questions to the representatives. It is valuable for all of us to discuss the case though the in-class activities. So I strongly recommend having case studies before the company visits and discussing during the lessons.

For the personal reflection, I shared what I feel and learnt in the visit to the other MS department student since it is a great experience to learn about how a company can gain their competitive advantage through IT in such a keen competitive industry. So I very enjoy in participate in the in-class and outsides activities in this course.

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning By Ivan NGAI Chun Hung (52586890)

Reflection on the past 13 weeks workshop learning
By Ivan NGAI Chun Hung (52586890)

In my opinion, I appreciate for the design and learning objective of this course. I really enjoy and attend all workshops and I did not miss any chance of visit!

Inside the classroom, we meet a challenge that we need to prepare the presentation in 20 minutes for the case study and the visit company. This is a great experience for us to learn how to handle the “urgent presentation”. Actually, in last month, I had some graduated job interview which required me to do the presentation about their companies with 30 minutes preparation only. Without the training in this course, I think I cannot present the idea in short time limited. However, I think the interaction of the presentation and discussion is not enough. If it is possible, I suggest that the class can do some group discussion with others about the disputed topic in supply chain industrial (such as how Hactl changes their strategy after Cathay Pacific does not use their service or how Yakult can improve their supply chain management in Hong Kong etc.)

Outside the classroom, the most impressive visit for me is Kerry Logistic Company. The trainees shared us a lot of details about the operation of the company during the presentation. This is a valuable chance for us to have an in-depth learning in logistic company. They also guide us to travel around the warehouse of Disneyland. Without this workshop, I never know how a large company to use the barcode and technology to manage millions of products methodically. Although some logical theories are mentioned in the university lecture, there are some differences between your imagination from your notes and in the real world. Most importantly, the two hour visit helps us to build a strong logic flow about the logistic industry.

For the workload of this course, since there is no quiz or exam, I think it is acceptable. However, I suggest that the word requirement of each post-visit report can be shorten to about 600~800 words but each student is required to hand in at least three reports for the visit. This is because I have different reflection on different visit, however, if the report is too long, I can just report what the guider told us word by word without any critical thinking. In addition, our blog record those visit well so it is meaningless for us to do it once again.

Company Visit - HIT

Company Visit - HIT

Date: 9 April, 2014

Background

Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT) is a member of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT), the world's first container port business trust, which is listed in Singapore. Situated in Kwai Tsing container port area of Hong Kong, HIT operates twelve berths at Terminals 4,6,7 and 9. Since its establishment in 1969, HIT has played an important role in the port industry both in Hong Kong as well as within the HPH global network of ports. Over the past four decades, HIT has continuously set industry benchmarks for productivity and efficiency. With modern management techniques, cutting-edge computer systems and award winning IT applications on port operations, HIT is a pinnacle of industry excellence. 

As global trade and the needs for supply chain management increases, HIT has diversified its operations beyond the traditional role of a container port operator. HIT has leveraged the strength of HPH and developed a logistics network covering the Pearl River Delta and the rest of South China, based on the principles of efficiency, productivity and cost-effectiveness. The final goal is the creation of an integrated supply chain network, with thorough logistics management services.

Feedback

In this company visit, we had been thoroughly exposed the application of logistics and supply chain management, also the real-life operation and industry practices of the world's leading port developer. Firstly, the friendly guide displayed us some diagrams about the HPH's international network, comprises 319 berths in 52 ports, spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, it has expanded internationally into other logistics, transportation-related and hotel businesses, including cruise ship terminals, distribution centres, railway and repair facilities. In fact, the HPH port network handled a combined throughput of 76.8 million TEU worldwide up to 2012, which reveals its well-established assets and industry-leading reputation.

Afterwards, we took a glance at the Control Tower and IT demonstration of Terminal Management System, which ensure shipping lines receive world-class service. A terminal-management platform that controls the entire scope of HIT's operations, such as yard planning, entry/exit gate monitoring, equipment utilization and cost optimization. Several activities throughout the terminal are coordinated in here, using the Operations Monitoring System (OMS), which provides a detailed overview of terminal operations, together with Closed-Circuit Television System (CCTV) and trunk radio systems. Other softwares, like the Tractor Appointment System, Tractor Identity Card System and Mobile Terminal Message System, render information to external drivers that facilitate the speed of delivery and collection of containers. 

Finally, we had participated the guided tour by HIT shuttle bus, which illustrated the operation process for an export container from the time it is received at the terminal gate until it is loaded onto a vessel; while there are some spot highlights that features important facilities and locations, such as entry/exit gates, parking area, quay cranes, RMGC and etc. 

Q&A Section

1.      It is important for company to be sustainable. How do you handle the policy of CSR to create a sustainable business?

Ans: As a leading container terminal, HIT is committed to protecting natural environment and resources in our earth, and also to conduct business in an ethical and socially responsible manner, like recycling energy, promoting traffic safety and educational programs. manner.

2.      How do you expand your scale of business when there are limited spaces in KWAI CHUNG? Will there be saturated one day for HIT to handle the cargo?

Ans: They answered that HIT strives for implementing the IT systems to optimize the capacity utilization in Kwai Chung port, moreover, it is crucial to speed up the cooperation between processes so that the delivery time of cargo distribution can become faster. Another supplementary place for port containers would be Tuen Mun. 

3.      How would you adapt or utilize the new infrastructure of the government, Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge?

Ans: It can facilitate more river trades between Hong Kong, Zhu Hai and Macau, where those places are the main transshipment port for exports and imports. As a result, the overall deistribution network can become wider and more convenient to save delivery time.

4.      How would you settle the industrial relation issues, have you found out any better methods after the terminal strike last year?

Ans: HIT announced a new incentive programme in 13 April 2014, in order to share the fruits of economic success with workers in a bid to maintain the status of the Hong Kong port as a transhipment hub. Under the incentive programme to be launched on 1 May, over 95% of workers who maintain their productivity at the same level as the second half of 2013 and work on their normal shifts will receive an incentive income equivalent to 4.1%. 

5.      How do you avoid errors when handling that massive amount of containers everyday?

Ans: HIT makes every effort to strictly monitor the ship and yard operation through multiple IT systems which are stated as above, so as to reduce the mistakes that troubles the customers. 

6.      What are the contingency procedures in case of natural disaster such as adverse weather condition?

Ans: To prevent the loss and damage, HIT has settled various shelters, warehouses and specific industry equipments to protect the cargoes against the adverse weather condition, like typhoon, flood, heavy rains and so on.

7.      As there are some rumours and scandals of HIT being explosive of labours, what will HIT do to improve images and motivate the workers?

Ans: HIT has reached agreement with external contractors on service contracts for 2014-2015. External contractors have simultaneously announced a pay raise for workers amounting to 10.1%. The pay increase includes 6% in basic salary and an additional 4.1% in incentive income. The 6% raise in basic salary is higher than last year’s inflation rate of 4.3%.  

8.      How do you enhance its competitiveness among those strong players, e.g Shanghai, Singapore?

Ans: To enhance the competitiveness, Hong Kong should initially recognize its natural endowments for a freeport, which refers to the high transit time and reliability on delivery cargoes. Then, it should keep on to continuous improvements on economic advantages, like duty-free, mature financial infrastructure, state-of-the-art Information Technology and human resources expertise. 

9.    How do you track the cargoes to see whether there is any dangerous or illegal goods?

Ans: It should be mentioned that a specifically monitored area is used to handle those dangerous or illegal goods, like chemicals.  

Case Study 3 - Fedex

Company Background:

FedEx ,found in 1971, provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.

Fedex's Business Model:

• Business-to-Business
• Business-to-customer
• Bricks and Clicks
• Physical Stores
• There are currently more than 1,900 FedEx Office locations in the United States and abroad. More than 400 centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Online Platform
• Online tracking 
• Web Integration Wizard

Fedex's competitors:

• UPS
• there are nearly 4,700 independently owned The UPS Store locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.
• DHL
• a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL providing international express mail services.
• TNT Express
• an international courier delivery services company with headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. 

Services and customers:

• Express delivery services: 
• provides fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address 
• more than 220 countries and territories around the world.
• Internet service (shipment)
• Prepare Shipment
• Find locations
• Pick up  schedule
• Get Rates and Transit Times
• Predict the transit times
• Customs Tools
• Internet service (Tracking)
• Monitoring the shipments
• Online tracking
• FedEx Desktop
• FedEx mobile
• Shipping Process 
• Get Shipping rates and Transit Times
• Packing
• Online Shipping with FedEx Express
• Documentation required for international shipments
• Schedule a Pickup

Definition of logistic terms:

• Virtual Value Chain
• an information flow & cash flow
• Any chain or network connected through electronic links can be considered virtual.
• Represents an organizational structure that facilitates efficient and effective flows of both physical goods and information in the supply chain management.
• Basic Flow
• differs from the physical value chain of manufacturing/sales of traditional companies. 
• begins with the content supplied by the provider
• which is then distributed and supported by the information infrastructure
• the context provider supplies actual customer interaction
• Benefits 3
• Keeping track of all packages handled by the Company On-line System (COSMOS)
• manages everything on real time
• vehicles, people, packages, routes and weather scenarios
• COSMOS relays data on package movement, pickup, invoicing and delivery so as to send to a central database at Memphis headquarters.
• places a bar-code on each parcel at the point of pickup, the bar-code can be scanned at each stage of the delivery cycle
• COSMOS system
• manages on-time information to different stakeholders,  such as vehicle, people, package, routes, etc.
• integrates information flow of shipped goods and transportation mode
• uses bar code to improve the delivery cycle efficiency, shorten the cycle time and evaluating customer service level

The role of IT in FedEx’s Business Strategy  

  l   Expand the global business

   ◦   Information sharing

–          More information flow between department and companies

–         Tools for training new employee

  ◦  Enhance efficient and effective

–         More accurate

  ◦    Reduce cost

  ◦      Multiple language

–            Common language in global

l   Interaction with customer

   ◦      Just-in-time inventory management system

–  Reduce inventory cost

  ◦      RFID for check the inventory anytime

  ◦      E-tailing

  ◦      Improve CRM

–            Directly contact with customers

  ◦      Interact with supply chain partners

–  Reduce bullwhip effect

l   FedEx Home Delivery

  ◦     B2C EX market

  ◦     Using the advanced technology to achieve the same leadership market

  ◦     Expand the residential delivery business

Discuss the virtual integration of supply chains without ownership

Definition

 — l Uses information technology to eliminate the boundaries in the value chain among its suppliers,                       manufactures, and customers which has another term of seamless by applying virtual integration

           l   A business engaged in virtual integration owns only their brand and their clients. 

           l eliminates the need to physically produce, ship or handle any products as they are now outsourced.

PowerShip programme

l introduced in 1984

— l improve efficiency and control with proprietary on-line

 lprovided additional services to the customer

—   including storing of frequently used addresses, label printing, on-line package pick-up requests, package tracking

CISCO

—  —  ldevelop an extranet that allowed its customers to order FedEx services without leaving the Cisco Website

 —l  By integrating its services within the supply-chain of its customers, and thus generating increases in customer loyalty and in customers

 — lFedEx managed to effectively raise the barriers to entry for competitors.

—      lIn the past

—  take care all of the works ranging from designing, marketing to transportation.

 —lNow

—  outsources some of the production process to other factories and With the assistance of faster

 information flow through the internet

—  Role of coordinator

Advantages of the virtual integration of supply chains without ownership

— lIncrease accuracy

— lEnhance efficiency

— lPositive effect of division of labor

—  lReduce Cost

— lReduce risk of initial investment

—  lDecrease length of order cycle

—  lBetter control movement of goods

What are the factors that put pressure on FedEx to consolidate its operations, while remaining customer-focused?

 Factors

1. Demand for quality service by customers
2. Reduce Customer confusion
3. Intensive increase in competition
4. Soaring Costs

Demand for quality service by customers

— lIn order to attract all the customers with different size of transaction

—  lA streamlined customer automation platform are provided

—  With one toll-free telephone number, one Website, one invoice and account number, one sales team, one customer service team

Reduce Customer confusion

l— Some resources may be duplicated

—  since the information is spread among the groups of FedEx

— lProvides collective synergy of solutions

—  to meet customers’ logistics needs

Intensive increase in competition

— lGlobalization 3.0

—  Focus on individuals and groups to collaborate and compete globally

—lDevelop global systems for worldwide implementation

—  to overcome the difficulties of different languages, currencies and cultures

Soaring Costs

—l  Fuel cost

— lLabor cost

— lInventory cost

— lTransportation cost

— lPut pressure on Fedex to re-think its business strategy