A Day in the Life: Aerospace Manager
A Day in the Life Gunnar Nissen, Airfreight Manager, Agent Relations Manager, and Aerospace Manager at Strait Air Transport
In the fast-paced world of airfreight, I have learned one thing for certain over the last 45 years: no two days are ever the same. As the Airfreight Manager, Agent Relations Manager, and Aerospace Manager, my roles are diverse, but they all revolve around a single philosophy: moving cargo starts with moving people.
A Foundation of Focus and Fun
My day begins at 05:30 with dedicated family time. Every morning, I tell myself the same thing: today is a day for great business and for having fun with my colleagues.
To me, laughter at work is “lifesaving.” If you aren’t enjoying what you do, you quickly find your energy and your main resources drained. To perform at your absolute best for your clients, you have to keep that spirit high. If there is no fun, there is no power.
Building Relationships that Last
Whether I am in meetings with my team or out visiting clients and airlines, my schedule is built entirely around relationship management. In logistics, trust is our primary currency. I spend a significant portion of my time out in the field because keeping those personal connections strong is the most important part of what I do.
This commitment to the “human” side of logistics extends to my role as Office Manager in Copenhagen. Every Friday morning, I host a 45-minute meeting for our group of companies. These sessions are about more than just discussing the highs and lows of the air, sea, and road markets; they are about maintaining our “Scan Group DNA.” By sharing our wins and our losses, I ensure the entire team feels informed, appreciated, and part of our professional family.
Over 45 Years of Spirit
Even after four decades in the airfreight industry, I still wake up with the same spirit. I tell myself, “Today is going to be good; we will build strong relations and have fun.” That is what drives me.
Of course, not every day is easy or full of good business, but that is simply part of the history of the forwarding world. The unpredictability is exactly what makes our business so wonderful. It keeps us on our toes and alert every single day of the year.
Beyond the daily logistics, I take great pride in heading the planning for our annual events, such as:
- Our client’s golf tournaments at Simon’s Golf Club.
- Sailing trips for our clients aboard our own yacht, Anne-Shipco.
- The DHL 5x5km social running event.
- Fundraising for children with cancer on behalf of our colleagues and the company.
Investing in the Future
One of the highlights of my year is hosting our annual welcome session for our new trainees in Denmark. We bring together 15 men and women from our various divisions to learn about our company history and our DNA.
We take this day very seriously because these trainees are our future. My goal is to give them the best possible start and ensure they understand exactly what we do in this great company. Naturally, in keeping with my philosophy, the day always ends with a few challenges, plenty of fun, and a group dinner.
Being active on our global network platform with agents is a “no-brainer” for me. A simple “hello” from time to time keeps those global gears turning and ensures our partnerships remain straightforward and strong. After 45 years, it is still the people and the “spirit” of the industry that keep me coming back for more.
