TNT Vietrans: A Well-developed Human Resource Pool Feeds Success

After the success of the "Lighting up Young Business Talents" contest in 2003, Vietnam Television and the Hanoi School of Business (HSB) under the Hanoi National University organised the 2004 contest nationwide. After completing two rounds, outstanding participants are preparing for the final round to be held in early September, 2004. To contribute to the contest's success, TNT Vietrans Express Worldwide Ltd. (Vietnam) decided to sponsor a Golden Scholarship valued at US$4,980 and express services valued at US$7,000. On the occasion, VIB Forum held an interview with Mr. Gerry Power, General Director of TNT Vietrans about the company's human resources training and development.

Could you please present some of the key elements in the operations of TNT in Vietnam?

Currently, TNT Vietrans employs 250 staff in the 14 biggest cities and provinces in Vietnam. The company has a service center in the centre of Hanoi and a business logistic solutions center and service center in HCM City. Since its establishment, TNT Vietrans has made rapid progress with an average annual revenue growth rate of 25% to 30%.

At present, TNT Vietnam specializes in global express delivery and logistics services. Apart from the time sensitive global distribution of documents and parcels, we also design sophisticated supply chain management solutions and services for our customers. For manufacturers who want to distribute goods to multiple customers in several countries simultaneously, our IDE product (Integrated Direct Express) will consolidate goods at origin, transport and distribute directly to receivers in these countries. Similarly, our Import Plus service facilitates this operation into Vietnam. Moreover, other tailor-made solutions i.e. TNT STORAPART, Repair and Return service, warehouse management systems, inventory management for raw materials and finished products are also available to meet the most specific requirements of our customers. For express services, TNT already has direct flights to six key Asian cities including Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and Bangkok, operating daily and we are planning to operate more this year and in 2005 to  ensure time-critical next day deliveries for customers.

How do you assess the effectiveness of the "Lighting young business talents 2003"? Why did TNT Vietnam decide to sponsor the 2004 contest?

We all know that human capital  are one of the Vietnam's greatest assets. As Vietnam integrates into the world economy, young business talents are especially important in the development of Vietnam's economy. The "Lighting up Young Business Talents 2003" contest was very successful. It helped discover, train and mentor the young business minds of the country. TNT also has a strong heritage in cultivating Vietnam's future generations through education, and the TNT corporate policy always emphasizes that a well-developed human resource pool feeds the success of businesses and greater society. In December 2000, TNT Express became the first organisation to win global recognition as an Investor in People (IiP), which demonstrates how TNT truly understands human resources as the key factor of business success. That is why, this year, by sponsoring "Lighting up Young Business Talents 2004," we are optimistic that such initiatives will plant the seeds for a new generation of young entrepreneurs - the future of an industrialised Vietnam.

Please give us your opinion on the advantages and weaknesses of Vietnam's present human resources, especially of young graduates?

As you know, Vietnam has a very young and large labour force. More than half of the workforce is under the age of 40 and they are very smart and hard working. In recent years, Vietnam has enjoyed a very rapid economic development, which has also enhanced the improvement of the whole education system. Vietnamese young graduates are very knowledgeable, active and eager to learn. I am very impressed with how they study and rapidly adapt to new ideas.

How do you evaluate the importance of human resources' quality in your company? Are there any obstacles to training and developing TNT Vietnam's human resources?

Human resources are the first and most important factor for TNT's success. As I have mentioned, in 2002, TNT Vietnam won the accreditation of Investors in People (IiP), an internationally recognized award given to organizations that meet the Quality Standards in the area of People Learning, Training and Development. In 2003, each member of TNT Vietnam  spent at least 11 days each learning in training courses, both in-country and overseas. TNT has also organized confidential on-line staff opinion polls, a practice which has enabled members of staff to speak out and offer their opinions on such subjects as the companies strategy, their working environment, the type and level of IT proliferation in our business and even the management style of their bosses - including me! Their opinions help to shape how we do things and allow us ultimately to pass on a continuously improved service to our customers.