Starting a new position at a new workplace can both be exciting and intimidating at the same time. There are many new things that you need to learn and take on – from tasks to a completely new culture. Therefore, it is so important that you are off to a great start with a comprehensive onboarding process.
Suvi, our HR specialist for Finland and the Baltics, is one of the newest additions to the DANX team, joining us back in April. With a rich background in HR, B2B, and customer service, Suvi brings a fresh perspective to our team and shares insights into her role, her first impression on joining DANX, and what working in HR might look like.
First Impressions in a new industry
For Suvi, coming into her role as an HR Specialist at DANX also meant joining the logistics industry for the first time.
“I manage HR for Finland and the Baltics, which is great because I get to work with different countries. My background is in HR, B2B, and customer service, but logistics is a completely new field to me”.
Despite logistics being a new field to her, the tasks she takes on at DANX are quite similar to what she has done in the past and, luckily, her first impression of joining the company has been positive.
“From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and supported,” she recalls. “The initial days were a mix of excitement and curiosity. I started in April, and a lot has happened since then. The first impression I had was how well-organised and supportive the environment is. Everyone I have met has been incredibly helpful, which made it much easier for myself to adjust to my new role.”
A well-organised onboarding experience
Giving our people the necessary tools to adjust to their new role is a priority at DANX. The onboarding can vary from role to role but we always strive to provide new hires with a structured onboarding experience, making sure our they feel welcomed and providing them the resources needed. Suvi’s onboarding process was no exception:
“I spent my first day going through documents to understand the company’s policies and values etc.,” Suvi explains.
“Then, I spent four days in Sweden with my manager and the Swedish HR team. The onboarding was carefully planned, and I was kept up to date with what was happening and what was coming up.”
A notable aspect of the onboarding was shadowing a driver, which provided hands-on experience in logistics for Suvi.
“I did a day and night shift with one of our drivers who has been with us for seven years. It was a deep dive into the operations and a break from the usual office work, giving me insights into our core service offerings.”
Traveling has also been a part of Suvi’s onboarding experience, offering a better understanding of the different offices and cultures and how we work across countries at DANX. She explains:
“I have visited a couple of the sites in other countries and it’s been a great way to get a broad view of our operations and the people who work in it – which is crucial for me to gain insights on as an HR Specialist.”
Key competencies in HR
When it comes to the essential skills for an HR role, Suvi emphasizes the importance of interpersonal abilities.
“You need to genuinely enjoy working with people and be approachable with any problem or question,” she notes. “I make it a priority to visit the terminal, have lunch with employees, and be present. I want the employees to feel comfortable in reaching out to me if they need to – so I try creating a good work environment by being present and showing that I am there for them.”
Another skill Suvi mentions as being useful to have in the role is the ability to adjust to new tasks.
“I handle everything related to HR, from development and recruitment to daily tasks – so having the ability to adapt to new things and shifting tasks is definitely useful in this role.”
A stopgap that became a career path
Lauren’s journey into the logistics industry was not planned, but rather by chance. She explains:
“I was actually supporting a family friend’s logistics business and was doing general administration for them. That company was then acquired by Carousel, and that’s where my journey within Carousel began.”
With a degree in healthcare, Lauren initially considered logistics as a temporary stopgap, but fell in love with the industry’s dynamic nature and decided to stay and make it her career.
“Now I have been here for nine years. I believe people often think about logistics as a stopgap and that they won’t stay for long – but they often end up getting that love for it and staying which is very special.”
A workplace that aligns with personal values
The inclusive and caring culture at DANX is something that particularly stands out to Suvi.
“I really enjoy the international environment and the fact that the company genuinely cares about its people, regardless of their position. This aligns with my own personal values, and it’s wonderful to see that the company is constantly striving to improve the workplace.”
“I also just want to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome, especially since this role is new. The support so far has been incredible.”
12-09-2024
DANX begins duo trailer operations to boost customer carbon emission compliance goalsChange in Swedish road traffic regulations opens up emissions reduction opportunity.
11-09-2024
Five minutes with: Abubeker Ali, Terminal ManagerWhen Abubeker, also known as Abu, arrived in Sweden in 2010, his dream was to work in a hospital. Life, however, had different plans for him.
18-07-2024
How regional warehousing and Forward Stock Locations improve distribution efficiencyThe spare parts logistics market plays an essential role in ensuring critical parts are reach their destination promptly across a number of vital industries.
13-06-2024
In-night logistics for disruption-proof supply chainIn today's fast-paced world, a business is only as strong as its weakest link. And for many companies, that weak link can be their supply chain. Imagine a crucial shipment grinding to a halt because a single part is missing.
27-02-2024
Power up your supply chain: all you need to know about battery logistics in the Nordics, Baltics and Eastern European territory.Battery logistics can be seen as more complicated than typical supply chains because of the dangers associated with lithium batteries, regulations for packing, disposal, and changing regulations.
15-02-2024
Exploring Aftermarket logistics: addressing challenges with efficiency-driven solutionsWhen it comes to supply chain management, resilience is fundamental. The landscape is marked by ever-evolving challenges that demand steady strategies to ensure a seamless flow of spare parts.
18-01-2024
3 Top logistics trends reshaping industries in 2024In the ever-evolving landscape of supply chain logistics, three time-dependent sectors — Automotive, Batteries and Materials Handling Equipment — are poised for transformative changes in 2024.
30-11-2023
Five minutes with Elias Weldemichael, Control Tower AgentAt DANX, our success is not just measured in shipments delivered, but also in the stories of our diverse and talented team members.
09-11-2023
Navigating the Baltic way: Opportunities and challenges of supply chainDANX delivers spare parts to the entire Nordic region, the Baltics, and Poland – all in less than 12 hours.
02-11-2023
Steel and iron import products restrictions: what the new sanctions against Russia and Belarus mean for your businessIn response to the war against Ukraine, the EU has imposed huge sanctions against Russia and Belarus, the like of which have not been seen before.
26-10-2023
Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities in the NordicsThe COVID-19 pandemic marked the beginning of a period of global supply chain instability. Though lockdown restrictions have been lifted and borders reopened, Nordic supply chains are not yet out of the woods.
25-05-2023
Increase your operational efficiency by up to 34% with our dedicated Sweden-Finland air freight service.At DANX, we know that every minute counts when it comes to machine downtime.
26-04-2023
Five minutes with: Malene Vig Hjarnaa, Chief HR OfficerWhen starting out your career it is natural to think that you would like to try working with different areas within your profession and possibly also work for multiple companies throughout the years
24-11-2022
How data measurement is helping to reduce our carbon emissionsUnderstanding our carbon footprint, and our impact on the environment, is high on the agenda of many sectors, but particularly in the logistics industry.
16-11-2022
Five minutes with: Muhammad Aqeel, FSL ManagerHaving to deal with unexpected challenges as part of your working day is a key ingredient for personal development.