Episode 73: Solving Problems and Building Futures in Ship Broking and Beyond with Zoe Upson
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Release Date: 06/04/2024
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
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info_outlineEpisode 73: Solving Problems and Building Futures in Ship Broking with Zoe Upson
Guest: Zoe Upson, Director at FACT - Freight and Commodity Talent LTD
Episode Overview: In this episode, we welcome Zoe Upson, Director at FACT - Freight and Commodity Talent LTD, a market leader in shipping and commodities talent solutions. Zoe shares her journey from being a broker to finding a more balanced work life in recruiting, her passion for problem-solving, and insights into the evolving landscape of the ship broking industry.
Key Points:
- Career Transition: Zoe's transition from brokerage to recruiting, emphasizing the work-life balance and satisfaction she finds in solving clients' problems.
- Problem-Solving: Zoe's love for being a problem solver and finding creative solutions for clients.
- Dubai's Growth: The rapid growth of Dubai, its favorable conditions for expatriates, and its emerging role as a hub for the shipping and commodities industry.
- Role of Recruiters: The dual role of recruiters in helping both hiring companies and job seekers, and the importance of having a talent partner who understands the business.
- Evolution in Recruitment: Changes in recruitment practices, leveraging skills creatively, and the transactional nature of the industry.
- Impact of AI: While AI will impact the industry, it won't replace the human touch in recruitment and brokerage; the roles will evolve.
- Trust and Relationships: Navigating an age of distrust through strong relationships and the importance of trust in the industry.
- Diversity in Recruitment: Challenges in hiring women, the importance of a diverse workforce, and proactive efforts to bring women into the shipping industry.
- Advice for Brokers: Encouragement for women and others to build strong relationships, which are crucial for success in the broking industry.
- Networking and LinkedIn: The power of LinkedIn as a networking tool and the underutilization of the platform in the shipping community.
- New Generation of Brokers: Understanding that new brokers are different, not lazy, and their role in driving future trends.
- Future Trends: Increasing funds and trading in FFAs (Forward Freight Agreements), both dry and wet.
- Recommended Reading: Zoe is currently re-reading "Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers, a book on turning fear into action.
Tune in Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube.
Music by: Peg and The Rejected 'King of SKA'
Art Work By: GA Design
Produced by: Chris Aversano
This podcast is sponsored by Njord, powered by Maersk Tankers. Join Njord for their next webinar featuring several fantastic panelists as they discuss Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). This takes place on June 25th, 1000 CEST, register here.
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Keywords: ship broking, recruitment, work-life balance, problem-solving, Dubai, shipping industry, AI in recruitment, diverse workforce, LinkedIn networking, FFA trading.