In 2022, millennials are 35 per cent of the workforce, outnumbering both Generation X and Baby Boomers. What’s more, is that they are slated to become 75 per cent of the workforce by 2025. Certain industries do not currently appeal to Millennials because they are interested in more than just making a living. One such industry is Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Fewer Millennials are interested in it, however, we do see a few of them joining the industry too.
Millennials join by choice or by chance?
Chaitaly Mehta, Director, EKF Global Logistics, a logistics specialist with over 25 years of industry experience, is the third generation of a customs broker and the second generation of a freight forwarder in the family-owned business, EKF Logistics. “First of all, I am a Gen X, not a Millennial,” Chaitaly explains. I entered the profession when I was 20 years old and fresh out of college on a trial basis. My first day was on a bar stool at my family company, which I still have in my office and reminds me of the journey every single day and how far I have come, “she continues. My first day lasted approximately 12 hours. When everyone had left, I went to check on my father, and was asked if I was tired and wanted to quit! This went on for a few days, and both my parents kept asking me the same question, so I figured what the heck, I’ve had to prove myself to them, and thus started my journey in this fascinating, complex, painful, yet life-changing industry.
Impact as a Millennial
“My impact has been fantastic,” Chaitaly says. I am a first in many ways for a woman in this field, and in some cases, gender neutral, which is awesome, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. I feel delighted when individuals approach me and tell me they joined the industry or did something out of their comfort zone because they heard me, read one of my pieces, or engaged with me. Some of my friends eventually joined the industry in various areas due to me since all I do is talk, breathe, and live cargo. I only recently realized my impact on people in and out of the industry. “
Influencing modern mobility
“I believe that if you are in this sector, regardless of what age you are or what year you were born, you are making a difference,” Chaitaly says. Every subsequent generation will constantly add more and bring greater improvement, as is true in any industry and hence true here as well. There must be points awarded to Millennials for things such as their clarity of vision, thought process, the Dos and Don’ts, work-life balance, confidence levels, and some of their out-of-the-box concepts, particularly with E-commerce and Last Mile Delivery. “
Initial days challenges
“I think everyone has comparable challenges when they join a family firm or join as an employee. It has its own set of problems,” Chaitaly believes that everyone has faced challenges in their lives, such as gaining the trust of family members or gaining the trust and respect of coworkers. Learning how to work with the very staff you’ve been calling Uncle or Aunty and creating that line, when do you establish your identity? Is this industry right for you? Do you belong here? But I have to hand it over to Millennials; their focus is so clear, their acceptance levels and rejection levels are at another level altogether, and their clarity of thoughts.”
One cannot be very modern without problems and issues, and one cannot be entirely reliant on traditional techniques without problems.
Chaitaley Mehta
Traditional methodology vs. modern managerial approach
This is not limited to the Logistics business; it applies to every industry when a family is at the head. Not every organization has had issues when a new generation enters and later takes control. Honestly, it comes down to the maturity of the people, what the ultimate result is that everyone wants, and the compromises that everyone is ready to make for the company’s success. In today’s world, every organization, regardless of industry, must use a blend of both tactics, with one gaining prominence at times over the other.”
Handover of responsibilities
“It was a lengthy process, and it took me five years to acquire my father’s trust,” Chaitaly explained. “Things moved along smoothly after that.”
