How difficult is to build reliability and strong personal relationships with your wide range of principals especially during the pandemic? How important is the role of a Greek office as a representative in shipping industry?
When times are stable, companies are focusing on creating strong personal relationships with new principals and maintain the already established ones that give them efficiency and profitability.
On the other hand, when the pandemic bursted, many unforeseen disruptions were caused -internally and externally- at everyday B2B, and PSB & CO. S.A. was not an exemption.
However, in times of crisis, opportunities may arise and our moto during these challenging periods
is always to ‘Improvise, Adapt and Overcome’. Thus, stronger and more honest relationships were actually formed not only with our long term principals but also with the newest ones, as during these crucial times the virtues of determination, selflessness, adaptation and quality were being tested. The pandemic restrictions on various countries and the prohibition of travelling made everyday business extremely hard for both our customers and principals. The urge for principals to be fast and accurate to our queries and customers’ needs was vitally important and we needed the full support from all parties involved.
This would not have been possible if our company PSB & CO. S.A. did not have 33 years of experience in the Shipping industry! By being in the market for so many years we know ‘who is who’ and we have developed mutual trust with our affiliates, suppliers and associates.
For instance, imagine having a scheduled or an unforeseen repair at your vessel in Vietnam/Indonesia/the Caribbean or any other part of the world and you had to rely on the trustworthiness of a local workshop with whom you have not cooperated before. The risks are big!
This is why the Representative’s role is very important. Papadakis Group of Companies (PSB & CO. S.A.) guarantees the best result as we choose to represent principals of the highest quality, always offering maximum transparency and value for money to our customers.
So to answer your questions in brief, the B2B with our principals and suppliers are always ‘filtered’ and especially during/after the pandemic but overcoming challenges is an everyday life of a Broker in the Shipping industry!
PSB & CO. S.A. is always striving for the most honest and fair collaboration with both Principals and Customers and we are succeeding this by being faithful to our primary rule: ethos!
* Director of PSB & CO. S.A.
The answer was provided for NAFS magazine issue 143 in its special report “WOMEN in SHEPPING”