Day in the life: dnata Cargo executive rises early to capitalise on opportunities

Kevin Ennis, the vice president of commercial & business development for dnata Cargo, has worked in cargo logistics for 32 years, first joining dnata in 1994.

Kevin Ennis, vice president of commercial & business development for dnata Cargo, has been a cargo logistics professional for 32 years. Pawan Singh / The National

Kevin Ennis is vice president of commercial and business development for dnata Cargo, part of the air services provider dnata. An Indian raised in Mumbai, for 32 years Mr Ennis has been a cargo logistics professional working in freight forwarding and cargo ground handling. He joined dnata in 1994 as a freight forwarding manager and in 1999 became responsible for the merger of dnata World Cargo, Dubai Express and Kanoo Cargo Services to form Freightworks, now a leading player in Dubai freight forwarding. The 58-year-old has two grown -up children, and lives in Al Safa 1, Dubai, with his wife.

4.15am

I am an early riser, a real morning person. Striking a work-life balance is really important. Rise and shine.

4.30am

I leave for a brisk morning walk. On weekends I go to Kite Beach, and on weekdays I go twice around the block at Safa 1. I’m really looking forward to the reopening of tracks around Safa Park; it’s where I started my walking ritual nearly 20 years ago. A really important part of my day, not only does it energise me but it is also contemplative and allows me to connect spiritually to my world. I try to complete at least 10,000 steps per day.

5.30am

Return, shower and breakfast; a bowl of oat bran. I don’t drink coffee or tea.

7am

I arrive at the Dubai Airport Freezone and start going through the previous day’s activity report. The reports give a fairly good idea of cargo tonnage handled – this ascertains the revenue, productivity, efficiencies and customer feedback, both positive and negative. This activity is crucial to our planning of commercial resources, and understanding challenges that lie ahead so we can be prepared. From manpower allocation to technical support, we learn a lot from the reports and listening to what customers say is critical to our success.

8am

I meet department managers to recap on previous performance and chalk out plans for the day. Our core business activity – air cargo – experiences frequent change. To quote recent examples – Hanjin Shipping Lines, the world’s fifth largest shipping company, filed for bankruptcy, and changes to security regulations in Bangladesh both offered challenges as well as serious opportunities to us. We have to be agile and on the ball to capitalise. The meeting also allows you to feel the pulse of customers and how the business is doing.

9am

I start going through my emails – I get at least 300 a day – before my first meeting with customers. I normally see at least two a day, either in my office or their offices, mainly in the vicinity of Dubai airport. Most airlines and freight forwarding companies are either based within the free zone or Cargo Village, a short drive across the airport. Customers locate themselves where the action is. This makes our lives simpler as we are constantly either meeting officially or in corridors. Customers are our eyes and our ears and meeting them really gives us the pulse of the market and how we are performing. I normally meet one forwarder and airline a day, which gives a balanced view on both sides of our service offering.

11.30am

I have my second meeting with a customer and am already well into the middle of my working day.

12.30pm

Quick bite – normally a raw vegetable salad with dressing. My job can be rigorous and I place a lot of importance on overall health and well-being, to help achieve full potential. That’s why I never compromise on exercise and healthy eating even during a busy day. In summer, a simple walk through our warehouse, which could be over a kilometre, can prove challenging if you’re not in good shape.

1pm

I have a meeting with operations on daily performance: dock bookings, tonnage handled/expected, issues, if any, planning for the next day. Then it’s back to emails – I normally ensure at the end of each day I keep a maximum of 25 in my inbox, all of which either need more input or to be tackled later.

3pm

I meet the commercial managers again to recap on the day’s activities and plans for tomorrow. I also normally head to the DWC airport around twice a week.

3.30pm

I head off to my yoga class (hatha yoga). I’ve been practising for three years now. I find it very relaxing, spiritual and good for general well-being.

6pm

Back home, I shower and have a vegetarian supper. I indulge in non-vegetarian on the weekend, my cheat days.

7.30pm

I detox in front of the television, watching mainly sports – football preferably. My favourite national team is Italy, while at club level I support Juventus. I also follow the English Premier League whenever Juve is not playing and support Arsenal.

8.30pm

Lights out. Early to bed – early to rise.

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