TNT in Bulgaria: Shipping consignments is their business

TNT Bulgaria has been an active member of UN Global Compact (GC) in Bulgaria since 2002, as well as of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) and a member of its board since 2002. In 2003, TNT Bulgaria received the BBLF Business Award for Investor in Human Capital. In April 2004, the company was awarded a certificate of recognition from UN GC for its efforts in promoting the principles of GC with respect to human rights and labour conditions.

TNT Bulgaria currently employs more than 200 people. Vassilev, Country General Manager, believes that more staff will have to be employed in the light of increased annual turnover. “More shipments mean more resources to deliver to and collect from clients,” Vassilev says. “But the company implements many new technologies that, to a great extent, spare us the need to boost the numbers of our workforce. Recently we introduced, in the courier department, scanning “In-cab” technology, which allows for processing the operational data completely online on a mini-computer, which all couriers carry with them. This is used for both collection and delivery of shipments, and saves further work later in the office for other departments. This leads to optimisation of the whole process, and provides real-time information to our customers,” Vassilev says.

Electronic invoices were another environmentally-friendly innovation this year. “We are one of the first Bulgarian companies in our field to start electronic invoicing. It saves time and resources but, most importantly, we protect the environment. TNT Bulgaria, and TNT in general, is a socially responsible company, which takes part in different national and international projects to strengthen its image of good corporate citizens of planet Earth,” Vassilev says. TNT Bulgaria has been an active member of UN Global Compact (GC) in Bulgaria since 2002, as well as of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) and a member of its board since 2002. In 2003, TNT Bulgaria received the BBLF Business Award for Investor in Human Capital. In April 2004, the company was awarded a certificate of recognition from UN GC for its efforts in promoting the principles of GC with respect to human rights and labour conditions.

He points out a few misconceptions. “Employing more people doesn’t necessarily imply higher productivity. Neither is it a sign of a particular company’s prosperity because a firm can cut staff by introducing new technology. This can lead to improved financial results. However, in general, TNT Bulgaria’s turnover increases by 20 per cent a year. I think this is definitely a good record,” Vassilev says. “Our development was also healthy before Bulgaria joined the EU but we’ve certainly enjoyed a fresh fillip since last year.”

Questioned about the main difference between TNT and its main competitors, Vassilev explains that, although his company’s management courses and training programmes emphasise the technical side – transport vehicles and aircrafts – they also emphasise the personal touch. “I believe that our service distinguishes TNT from other companies – the way that clients are treated by the customer service department and all our staff who have direct or indirect contact with them.”

He refused to reveal the company’s approach towards clients, believing that this is best expressed by clients themselves, which they do through customer loyalty questionnaires. “We measure their satisfaction twice a year through surveys and the results we receive are very positive,” Vassilev says.

He reveals that, aside from business, TNT Bulgaria and the Dutch embassy have imported an innovative idea, one which, he believes, could help Sofia and its residents to resolve traffic and pollution problems. “In September 2007 we launched, together with the Dutch ambassador Willem van Ee and Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov, our 'Ride a bicycle, arrive on time' campaign. We’re making bicycle use a popular alternative to cars. It’s a very positive development that, here at TNT, more than half of our employees cycle to work,” Vassilev says. Shipments, obviously, are too heavy to be transported on bicycles but TNT employees are encouraged to use bikes in other situations. Although there are no bicycle lanes, Vassilev says it’s not as frightening as it seems to cycle in Sofia.

TNT Bulgaria currently employs more than 200 people. Vassilev believes that more staff will have to be employed in the light of increased annual turnover. “More shipments mean more resources to deliver to and collect from clients,” Vassilev says. “But the company implements many new technologies that, to a great extent, spare us the need to boost the numbers of our workforce. Recently we introduced, in the courier department, scanning "In-cab" technology, which allows for processing the operational data completely online on a mini-computer, which all couriers carry with them. This is used for both collection and delivery of shipments, and saves further work later in the office for other departments. This leads to optimisation of the whole process, and provides real-time information to our customers,” Vassilev says.

Electronic invoices were another environmentally-friendly innovation this year. “We are one of the first Bulgarian companies in our field to start electronic invoicing. It saves time and resources but, most importantly, we protect the environment. TNT Bulgaria, and TNT in general, is a socially responsible company, which takes part in different national and international projects to strengthen its image of good corporate citizens of planet Earth,” Vassilev says.

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