More Than Josh Allen...
34-10. That’s the final score in the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Titans this Sunday. Throwing for 323 yards and two touchdowns, there’s no denying that Josh Allen was crucial—but that win wasn’t just his. Amari Cooper and Ty Johnson caught those two touchdown throws. Tyler Bass kicked two field goals. James Cook and Ray Davis each ran in for a touchdown. Then there’s the impact of each member on the defensive and offensive lines. No one person won that game. The Bills’ success came from each player using their specific skillset to push the team toward the goal.
At Concept, we embrace that same focus on teamwork as a fundamental principle driving our success. According to VP of Operations, Greg Finnerty, “…it allows our team to be a master in their area of focus. Instead of being a jack of all trades, master of none, they can focus on mastering the role they are in while being exposed to the rest of the operation through their teammates’ efforts.” From operations to sales, admin to executives, each role functions in support of the others. Let’s take a look at how the Concept team works.
We have two truckload-focused teams: Blue and Grey. Each one is led by a shipper representative whose main objective is to foster the confidence and trust of the customer. They do this through daily interactions, project planning, and making sure the pain points of each customer’s freight profile are addressed and taken care of. The carrier representatives work to make sure carriers are matched with the freight they want to move, at a price that works for them, and with a company that their drivers can trust. Our load planners ensure the driver is getting what they need to complete the task at hand—from appointment times and paperwork to getting the POD in as soon as possible for quicker payment. While each role has a specific task, the way they work together is important for the success of each shipment. Shipper representative, Ericka Soran, says she helps her team achieve this by “…engaging in thoughtful discussions and joint decision-making on daily tasks, which fosters a cohesive and efficient working environment.”
Like Truckload, our LTL department is split into two teams: Alpha and Bravo. They often work in a collaborative manner, stepping up to support each other when needed. Daisy Diaz, Director of LTL Operations, says that, “Our [LTL] team model works because it fosters collaboration and mutual support between the two teams. Alpha and Bravo may have different focuses—one serving shipper customers and the other partner customers—but we encourage constant teamwork. This setup allows us to be flexible, respond quickly to challenges, and leverage each other’s strengths, making us more efficient and cohesive as a group.”
Sales representative, Kenny Wahl, offered insight into not only why the Sales Team works well, but how Sales and Operations foster that same collaborative effort across departments. He said, “In terms of sales itself, Matt and I are always bouncing ideas off of each other and trying to discover different ways to help each other win…Matt inspires me due to his confidence and ability as a sales rep, which only makes me better at what I do. [And] the sales/ops collaboration at Concept feels like a true friendship. We are always working together to help the company achieve a common goal. When Concept wins, we all win. There are many times when I work directly with a shipper rep to overcome obstacles and find new avenues of business for an account. There are no egos amongst us and you can truly feel the partnership.”
The sentiment may sound cliché but remains true nonetheless: Every person, in each department, is crucial to the success of the Concept Team. Procurement and compliance provide support for operations and security for our customers. Accounting runs a tight ship, making sure Concept and our customers have our finances in order. HR supports our employees, empowering them to grow in their jobs and feel safe doing so. The Executive Team embodies leadership and will step in to provide support wherever and whenever needed.
We’re powered by over 425 years of combined experience. Some of our team has been with us for over 20 years and others less than two. Both sides of the spectrum provide value with wise insights and innovative perspectives. It’s like Sunday’s game. Josh Allen was playing his 100th start with the Bills while it was Amari Cooper’s first. Their tenure with the team didn’t make one more useful than the other. They dug deep, worked together, and achieved their goal.
In the ever-changing landscape of logistics, where customer demands are constantly evolving, teamwork can’t just be a buzzword. Instead, it’s a fundamental necessity for organizations seeking to thrive. It’s this synergy created by collaborative efforts across all departments that propels businesses towards accomplishing goals and ensuring customer satisfaction. There’s no doubt that effective teamwork is the cornerstone of our success. It allows us to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions while maintaining operational efficiency. By nurturing a collaborative spirit and valuing each diverse perspective, we strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and set the standard for exceptional customer service.