Tomorrow, it will be known whether Eric Armstrang, Carin Hendriksen or Iwan te Winkel can call themselves Logistics Manager of the Year. In recent months, the jury members have scrutinised the finalists closely: their companies received visits from the jury and 360-degree analyses were made of the candidates. Has a potential winner emerged yet? 'No, the pitches on the final day are still decisive,' says jury chairman Theo Heemskerk.
The five-member jury, consisting of Theo Heemskerk, Cosmas Hoefnagels, Annelies Leveling, Raymond Cools and René de Koster, visited the finalists' companies twice in recent months. "Initially, we visited the five nominees," explained Heemskerk. "During this visit, we position all candidates using a matrix. We look at leadership skills, for example, but also innovativeness and complexity. Such a visit raises questions: Was it really the person's own project? Did he come up with it or did he jump on a moving train? And are there measurable improvements? The second visit to the three finalists should answer these questions and ensure that all judges are put on the same level."
After such an intensive process, you might expect the judges to already have a personal preference. Nevertheless, according to Heemskerk, the pitches on 23 March are at least as important as the preliminary process, also because they have to ensure public support. "I personally have no preference yet and am waiting for the presentations. I have been judging for 11 years and almost every year we have had discussions after the pitches about who would go home with the title. Some years ago, we even postponed a presentation once because we really couldn't figure it out."
During the presentations that will be held tomorrow, the judges will pay extra attention to this year's theme: Logistics as Game Changer. Which finalist has deployed logistics not only as a cost reducer, but also as a revenue enhancer? "All the finalists have managed to deploy logistics as a Game Changer, which is why they are in the final. Still, it is important that this comes out during the presentation. The finalist who knows how to convey this best stands a good chance." Heemskerk believes it is also important that the person knows how to enthuse the audience. "The human factor prevails in this election. It is not about the company where the finalist works, but about the finalist himself. He or she must be representative and know how to sell logistics well. This is important because the winner will act as an ambassador of logistics for the coming year."
The election Logistic Manager of the Year will take place on 23 March in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. After a day-long programme, it will be announced who will take over from title holder Edwin Wenink. Would you like to be there? You can register for the event here.
