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embrace the future now

san francisco's big event

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[newsletter@seashipping.com]
 

Just FYI, anything in our newsletter in red type is usually a hyperlink of some sort. We purposely remove the underlining for aesthetic purposes. This hyperlink may be a mailto email address or a linkto another website or a linkto a document of some sort. Don't be afraid to click on them. They are all scanned for maliciousness and will always open in a new window.
 

If you approach us via phone or email and get no response, please know this is not normal and usually an indication that Sea Shipping Line is most likely enjoying one of our seven holidays or enduring some type of power outage. To see a full list of days that we are closed for business, click here.
 

The fastest way to get a rate from us is to use our generic customer service email addresses. These addresses forward your mail directly to all of our customer service personnel for the quickest turnover time. Here they are again for your convenience...

Seattle

sea.customerservice@seashipping.com

Oakland

oak.customerservice@seashipping.com

Los Angeles

lax.customerservice@seashipping.com

Houston

hou.customerservice@seashipping.com
 

 ••• Embrace the Future Now ••• 

"Change is inevitable. Though it often results in challenges, it also brings opportunities to profitably exploit. Those who drive, embrace and exploit change generally benefit from savings, increased productivity and greater efficiency. Those who hide from change generally fall behind and/or become extinct." Pilfered this phrase from a magazine and I can not remember which one, but the message is crystal clear. Adapt or die.

The methodology of doing business is rushing forward - driven by advances in technology. What technology is not allowing is for business to catch up to it. Just as a new device comes on the market - changing everything, by the time businesses embrace this, there is something better to contend with. This freezes many companies from entertaining modifications to their processes. Dare I say it, technology must slow down and allow time for adaptation to occur naturally...just as our bodies adapt to our environments slowly over time.

The new smartphone I am using, the HTC Droid Incredible 2, is really an amazing piece of equipment. I can foresee in the very near future being able to do my entire job on this one tiny handheld device. I expect one day soon to flip it on and say into it, "Scotty, beam me over to our Houston office as I am making sales calls with Roosevelt today." So I ask, is time really accelerating? or are we just moving at such breakneck speeds that we are not taking a moment to take it all in. or am I just missing a life that was slower and more digestible?

Major parts of Sea Shipping Line is "in the cloud" now. Our email has been upgraded to Microsoft Online servers and I must admit it works phenomenally well. Synced between our work computers, our laptops, our smartphones, we are virtually connected...available to you 24/7. Our operating system is web based - allowing access from anywhere we have an internet connection. We can even sit down in front of an account, and via our smartphones, pull up rates and negotiate without going through the hassle of firing up a laptop. The possibilities of the pads, i.e. iPad, well... the potential is even greater. Wow! let's say it again, adapt or die.

As technology marches onward, eliminating jobs, we must as a culture adapt to these changes in positive, productive ways. Sea Shipping Line is large enough to compete and small enough to adapt quickly. Our goal is to make doing business with us simple and efficient. We still make face to face sales calls, let us know what you want. (more on face to face sales calls next month)

Our intention this year especially has been to congeal our present relationships and foster new relationships with the shipping community. We treasure your support.

Interested in seeing who our agent or partner is at the destination port of discharge? Feel free to click on over to our Global Network - most of our international friends are listed there along with all their relevant details.

Interested in knowing how many cities & countries we service via mostly any point in the United States? We welcome your inquiry! we service 552 cities located within 155 countries facilitated by over 38 individual carrier confidential contracts. Click here to download a full list of the ports and points that we service.

Wanna see the carriers we have contracts with? click here. Those liner operators listed with a red * are contract carriers. You can also check scheduling by clicking on the calendar icon .

By the way folks, here is a bit of trivia - back in 2005, Ingrid Keller-Roberts was on her first tenure with us at Sea Shipping Line - Los Angeles. I personally feel that Ingrid is one of the very best customer service reps in the NVO industry - along with her team mates Patty and Amber of course - but Ingrid and I have a long history dating back to a previous life in the 90's. When the idea occurred to me that I should use my html coding skills to do a company newsletter, I pondered the idea of what to name it. Ingrid, in her naturally quick and efficient style, said "call it The Sea Shipper" (playing on the now defunct name Pacific Shipper or Gulf Shipper and tying it to our company name). The name was perfect and The Sea Shipper has been its name ever since.

 ••• Thanks For the Feedback ••• 

Every once in a while one of our readers takes the time to respond to our newsletters. This feedback is much appreciated and always warms my heart especially when something we say  strikes a chord. Here are a few interesting ones from our August newsletter...

Steve sent this too us after we reviewed the HTC Incredible 2 -
 

From: Steve Horowitz
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 3:07 PM
To: Frank Belsito
Subject: RE: Hello there

I totally understand the vacation thing. You need 3 weeks to get caught up fm a 2 week vacation. The news letter was more identifiable than anything.

First, I've been a fan of Don Miguel Ruiz for a long time. He's helped me through some dark times in my life. Read The Four Agreements a long time ago and remember what an epic book it was to the public. A lot like Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth which also was pretty good. If you liked The Four Agreements, you'll love his second book The Master of Love. Where The Four Agreements is on self, this book covers the art of relationships. I had the privilege of seeing him lecture this book some years ago at the Agape Church here in LA.

Secondly, I like yr comments on the cell phone and remember when you were getting it underway. I'm glad yr just as happy with yrs as I am with my Evo.

Tell Tommy I said hello and by the way, we ended up giving you those 2 x 40HQ's to Surabaya.

Get some rest fm yr vacation :)

Phone battery tip.... they sell a double battery for most of these droid phones. It literally is twice the thickness of a normal battery and it comes with a distended back cover so it fits. I got one and it gave me a much longer life per day. Like I can do all my emails, phone calls and texting in a day on one single charge. Plus a keep an extra (regular size) battery charged at all times in my glove box :)

Regards,
Steve Horowitz
----------------------------------
CDS Global Logistics, Inc. – Los Angeles | Sales
 

From: Megan Colerick
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 4:33 PM
To: Frank Belsito
Subject: FW: The Sea Shipper Newsletter | August 2011

Hey Frank

Another great newsletter!
Thanks and Very Best Regards,

Megan

Megan Colerick / Senior Account Manager
MTI Worldwide Logistics / Portland Branch
 

From: Asrar S
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 5:03 AM
To: Frank Belsito
Subject: Happy 25th Anniversary to SSL

Dear Mr. Frank,

Greetings from Jeddah , Saudi Arabia

I enjoy reading your Sea Shipper e-news line, every month. It is full of not only your SSL activity but filled with tons of info, regarding the shipping market, new business and the most encourage me to read is your appreciation to your 'STAFF.'

Well, I am your Co-Forwarder, Modern Cargo... based in Toronto, Canada proud to in Internationals shipping with office in Chicago, USA and since 2 years expanded to Saudi Arabia , Port City Jeddah. Saudi Arabia is a huge market of Container shipping. Saudi ports handled 5.3 Million TEUs in 2010 ( Jeddah port 3.8 M).

I will be happy to assist SSL in Saudi Arabia. Best regards from Saudi to my Friends Kriss Slate, Sonny, and Mr. Frank Rosenberg. Good luck & keep on making more good news thru your news letter.

Kind regards,
Asrar Shareef
- Modern Cargo International, Toronto
- MAS Vizion Inc. , Chicago - USA
- MAS International, Jeddah - KSA
 

From: Graling, Susan
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 6:23 PM
To: Fred Morgenthaler
Subject: Congratulations on 25 years

Hi Fred,

I don’t know if you remember me from LAX office handling OOG shipments some years back. Although I had to move on, I have nice memories of my time at Sea Shipping, and have remained friends with your team there. Sea Shipping really is a great company and I wish you all the best. Frank sends me the Newsletter, and he does have a gift for writing.

Congratulations on your silver bell!

Warm regards,
Susan
_____________________________________________
Susan Graling-Manager, Ocean Export
UTi | 1640 W. 190th St.| Torrance, CA | 90501 USA
 

From: Rohan
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 9:27 AM
To: Frank Belsito
Cc: Ingrid Roberts
Subject: RE: Portland/Colombo, Sea Shipping Booking #157790

Hi Frank,

I really appreciate the follow up from you and your team, I have to in particular thank Ingrid for her persistence and follow up.

Thanks,

Rohan Sourjah

Ruky International
 

In September of 2006 we had 1075 subscribers to our newsletter. September 2011 we have 1850+ subscribers - interesting. In Sept 2006 SSL had 9 offices, Sept 2011 we have 8 - we closed a small office in Norfolk and consolidated that with our other US East Coast offices. In Sept 2006 our middle article focused on Amber Julian's wedding. Amber is attached to the Los Angeles office and works full-time from her home. Her primary responsibility is to pump out rate quotations as fast as possible. In Sept 2006 we started the process of updating our website, this process is still in motion, although almost complete. Better late than never I always say.

Most interesting of all, our Red Bank, NJ office celebrated its 20 year anniversary in Sept 2006. Just in last month's newsletter, we discussed their 25 year anniversary party. Now I could say that time is flying by, but judging from the conversations I am hearing lately, we are all experiencing this condensing of time. This is not a fictitious feeling - time is accelerating - witnessed by the continual proliferation of grey hairs on my head.
 

 ••• Archives: Between the Lines ••• 

All of our newsletters are available on-line via our website. Due to space restrictions and outdated information, we have initiated the process of removing our oldest newsletters. However, it is fascinating to see what was going on just a half decade ago, so take a peek back in time before they disappear forever into the digital twilight zone. Click on the image to the left and revisit Sea Shipping Line circa September 2006.

The Archives: Between the Lines section was created to highlight one of the key articles from our newsletter exactly five (5) years ago. An excerpt from September 2006 - Volume 3, Issue 9 is below. Please be aware some of this may be old news so please do not get confused:

Back to Our Roots | our core competency
 

Sea Shipping Line has nine (9) offices in the United States all of which carry the same logo. However, through traveling to the various offices, speaking to the various players - from desk level on up to senior management - it becomes apparent that there is a bit of diversity in each individual office. This uniqueness has a lot to do with geography, but most importantly the expertise of the staff provides the underlying energy for the direction of each office. This makes having a unified website a bit of a challenge - which by the way we will be upgrading in the coming months. Click ● here if you would like to offer some suggestions on what the Sea Shipping Line website should do for you.

One factor holds all of us together as a group - the fact that we focus on outbound, international, ocean freight, full container loads (FCL) from anywhere in the United States to anywhere in the world. This is our core competency, this is how SSL grew to its present proportion, and this is what inevitably will keep our company moving into the future. As stated many times in past newsletters, we hope that we do this as good as any FCL-NVO in the country; but underneath the psychic of each employee is the mantra that we do this better than our competition. We have continued to improve our systems, services and most importantly our personnel. We have taken great strides in making the 'right' hire, and minimizing as much as possible turnover in staff - which can severely impact client loyalty.

It is so tricky to be perfect in an imperfect world, but we try very hard to not drop the ball when in our court. If you are currently a SSL client, thank you; if you are not, please choose us as your partners, we do appreciate it.

The last thing we want to be is an interruption to your busy day. If you do not want to receive our newsletter, you can opt-out by clicking on the link at the very bottom-left. This will take you to our opt-out form, enter your email address, and click OPT OUT (no stress). We will remove your address immediately (although reluctantly). We do hope that you stay with us and that our monthly publication is a peaceful sanctuary in your otherwise chaotic day.

Every single booking is important to us. Here's why - our numbers show that our average booking size is now 2.80 teus. A teu is a twenty-foot equivalent unit, so a forty-foot container would be two (2)  teus. So doing the math, our average booking is between 2-3 teus. This logic proves that each booking is valuable and we are grateful for each and every account that graces us with their support. We especially cherish bookings that have multiple containers - would you mind helping us out?
 

 ••• San Francisco's Big Event ••• 

Sergey Goodkovsky, our Bay Area Field Sales Person, reminded me of the approach of one of my favorite industry events, the Pacific Transportation Association's Annual Steamship Night. I'll be there, I hope you will be too! I believe many of your favorite SSL Bay Area employees will also be in attendance.

What I'm Reading Now

CCCC

Privacy Policy: Sea Shipping Line (California) Inc respects our client's right to personal privacy. It remains our policy and our commitment not to distribute, sell, rent or in any way make available your name, email address, or other information to any third party. Sea Shipping Line (California) Inc: 520 3rd Street, Suite 207, Oakland, California 94607. Copyright Sea Shipping Line (California) Inc © 2011. All rights reserved. To cancel your free subscription to  our monthly newsletter click OPT-OUT.
 

 ••• In the Author's Opinion ••• 

Employer's Disclaimer: Any views or opinions presented in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Sea Shipping Line. Employees of Sea Shipping Line are expressly required not to make defamatory statements and not to infringe or authorize any infringement of copyright or any other legal right by email communications. Any such communication is contrary to company policy and outside the scope of the employment of the individual concerned. The company will not accept any liability in respect of such communication.

I don't encourage violence, I am shocked by war, but at the same time I am fascinated by  what compels a human being to don a uniform, put themselves through all kinds of physical, mental and psychological torture, be transported to a strange environment, follow the insane instructions of the art of war, and destroy their fellow man. All for the so-called 'glory of Rome.' War has been with humanity since its very inception, and will probably plague us well into our future. I can not and will not pass judgment on that, it is what it is.

This month is a bit unusual...the book I am reading now (or will be shortly) I have not even purchased yet. The Final Storm completes Jeff Shaara's four-volume World War Two series, moving past the end of the war in Europe, to the horrific fighting still to come in the Pacific. I have read everything Mr. Shaara and his father (Michael) have written - they are historical fictions based upon American Wars - and he is a master at it. Way back in the early 90's I came to the realization that I was wasting a lot of time sitting and doing nothing - down time while traveling, while working out, while eating breakfast, etc. A client of mine, Larry Goldstein, talked me into picking up Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This book is phenomenal and Michael went on to receive a Pulitzer Prize for this book which then became the basis for the movie, Gettysburg (obviously a historical fiction surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg). Michael Shaara died shortly thereafter, and his son Jeff picked up the reins and went on to be a very successful author in his own write.

Jeff usually focuses his attention on the generals of the war he is addressing. This is my fascination - how generals think? command? motivate? plan? react? why some are great and some not? Lessons to be learned when managing  personnel for sure. Discipline! Structure! Honor! Execution! Duty! Equality!

At last, this month's newsletter approaches completion and I would like to leave you with The Paracelsian Principle: “Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.” In other words dosage determines toxicity. Everything in moderation.

Not much going on this month in shipping - lots of politicking and movement around town. We as always realize you have a choice of NVOs to choose from - thank you for choosing Sea Shipping Line.

Appreciation & Gratitude to you for reading and remembering...
Frank Belsito
Director of Marketing & Sales - Sea Shipping Line (California) Inc.

www.seashipping.com