Internship Report
Submitted by:
Ayesha Zahid
BBA 8-E
02-111171-141/48694
Contents
Internship details.........................................................................................................................................3
Introduction of the Company.......................................................................................................................3
Departments and Services...........................................................................................................................4
Nature of the work.......................................................................................................................................6
Training Analysis........................................................................................................................................7
Work Analysis.............................................................................................................................................7
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................................8
Internship details
Organization name: Super Terra Private Limited
Duration of internship: 8 weeks
Start of internship: 1st October 2019
End of Internship: 30th November 2019
Title: Supply Chain & Marketing Intern
Introduction of the Company
About SuperTerra
SUPERTERRA having a group experience of 70 years, our experienced management is
committed to quality, reliability and innovation. Particularly emphasis on import and export of
cargo enables us to expand and confirm our position as the Leading and Independent Operator.
SUPERTERRA, a diversified business conglomerates which has undergone rapid advancement
since its inception. It has steadily diversified its core activities by venturing into new business
and continued to expand and successfully forged ahead in terms of revenue/turnover.
Headquartered in Singapore, with centralized accounting systems in Singapore with Branch
offices in Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Dubai, SUPERTERRA consists highly motivated and
talented employees, striving hard to achieve unmatchable results. SUPERTERRA becomes an
industry leader by fostering a strong relationship through building confidence in delivering
unparalleled quality and service.
Vision of SuperTerra
SUPERTERRA is looking forward to become a leading supply chain management solutions
provider in the region.
Mission of SuperTerra
They aim to provide the highest level of customer service at all times. They seek clients’ and our
partners’ satisfaction by going the extra mile to provide a top-quality service.
Departments and Services
Departments
SuperTerra has Marketing, Supply Chain and Accounts department. In the Karachi branch, they
handle Supply Chain and Marketing department while Accounts department is in Lahore branch.
As I was working in Karachi branch, I served both departments in rotation.
Services
1. Air Freight: When time is crucial for your cargo, SuperTerra air freight services are your
best option as they offer daily worldwide departures. So regardless if you are shipping
perishables, hazardous cargo or any commodity that needs to be delivered fast and on
time, they have a solution for you.
2. Freight Forwarding: SuperTerra as an expert freight forwarders providing best service
throughout the world. We confirm the best and most efficient way possible to meet your
cargo criteria, whether it be containers, break bulk, flat racks & LCL.
3. Container Exchange & Trading: We are well-established within the exchange business.
SuperTerra strategy is to be a good and reliable supplier of the high quality new and used
container. Our company is involved in domestic and international container exchange
with a wide network. We focus on a superior quality fleet, providing first-class customer
service, and maintaining our excellent relationships with our client. SuperTerra has
container trading & control department which is constantly working to purchase
inventory & rotating to required ports. The department is fully facilitate with qualified
skilled professional efficient experienced team. As Year-round SuperTerra supplies
containers to end users, consumers and traders. We distinguish ourselves by providing
quality and good service for a reasonable price.
4. NVOCC: SuperTerra organizes & handles NVOCC to transmit entirely trade goods in
which Less-Than-Container Load (LCL), Full-Container Load (FCL) & Awkward
Container include to impart the victorious services to our customer from different
countries of the world. We're a neutral NVOCC and have the power of change and
purchasing to provide the finest rates and convenient, reliable services on selected trade
lanes.
5. Land Transportation: Our land transportation service is one of the methods through
which we safely transport your packages and products to your required destination at the
right place and right time. We providing hassle-free, on-time land transportation service
that match the needs of each and every client. SuperTerra has a strong reputation for
superior service in land transportation with professionalism and safety.
6. Supply Chain Solutions: We deliver fully customized supply chain solutions. Our
specialists in supply chain management support & fulfill your requirements, reduce costs
and release precious capital from your domestic and global operations. Our professional
team moves your products rapidly and efficiently from one country to another country
supporting your supply chain needs.
7. Import & Export: If you're hoping to export/import goods worldwide, overwhelming
resources are available at your fingertips. Because exports give the economy a big
charge, our friendly government agents are happy to help you sell just about anything to
foreign markets.
8. Pick and Pack: Pick and Pack service is here to help you anywhere you want with all
precautionary measures in this pandemic. First, all items in a customer’s order are
collected (picked) from their storage locations. Next, the items are put in appropriate
packaging (packed), ready for shipping to the customer. The speed, skill and accuracy of
our team has a big impact on our customer experience.
9. Cargo Warehousing: as a Cargo Warehousing Agent providing superior professional
warehousing amenity. The available facilities also allow the company to ensure the
smooth transition of your cargo through every phase of the transport cycle. They provide
highly secured storage services for goods. They have experience of warehousing service
for stocking and handling different types of commercial and industrial goods for the
desired period of time.
10. Break bulk: With years of experience in shipping over-sized or break bulk cargo, you can
be confident that SuperTerra can handle your oversized equipment professionally. With
offices in all over the world, our logistics experts are standing by to provide world-class
customer service and create custom solutions for your unique challenges related to out-
of-gauge cargo. Whether you need containers, trailers, open tops, flat racks, flat bed,
tanks or refrigerated equipment, we will provide the essential equipment you need for
your break bulk project.
11. Project handling: Because SuperTerra manages so many different modes of
transportation around the world, our Project Cargo team has a wealth of local, practical
expertise to call on. Working closely with your own people, they will build and manage
your special project from first concept through to delivery. Whatever the size, weight or
complexity of handling.
12. Door-to-Door: The dedicated door-to-door service ensures that all the steps required for
shipping cargo from its origin to its final destination are carried out efficiently. Their
strength in this regard is our team, which is well-versed and equipped to carry out the
operation in a smooth manner. They believe in completely understanding every
individual client needs, further evaluating their requirements, assessing the complexities
during the process, and offer tailor made solutions that will help customer achieve the
desired results.
Other services include Container Leasing, LCL Consolidation, and Cross Country Solutions.
Nature of the work
As an internee, my foremost duty was to understand the newly installed ERP software in the
company’s server. It was a customized software that was specially made for a shipping firm,
called Climax Shipping System. The company wanted the internees to understand the workings of
software within 8 weeks and then train the older employee who were finding it difficult to work
the system. The company wanted to shift from manual work to automated work. Software was
divided into two parts – Export and Import. As the data in the company was recorded separately
for import and exports. Each employee, including internees, were given Login IDs which helped
supervisors to track and evaluate performances individually.
Another duty was to enter data into the software which was previously manually recorded and
filed. The data mainly consisted of entering all the information about terminal, container,
shipper, consignee, and, agent (which was the firm itself). All past transactions from January
2018 to August 2018 were recorded and for the month of September and November, data was
enter at the same time it was created.
As we record the data, it also meant creating and generating Master and House Bill of
Ladings, Gate Passes, Invoices, and Delivery order.
Training Analysis
I learned the inside working of a shipping company which would be quite helpful to me in the
future as my major is supply chain. I was able to learn the technical or local vocabulary of the
industry, about the documentation involved, and how to deal with customers.
I learned how to operate an ERP software which was quite helpful as the businesses all over the
world are implementing ERP software like SAP, Oracles, etc. and supply chains all over the
world are becoming highly dependent on individuals who know how to operate ERP systems.
I would say the most important learning was working in a professional setting. If I hadn’t done
this internship, I wouldn’t actually know how typically office environment is like. Also, I was
able to see how textbook knowledge is different from real work life. Dealing with co-workers
and maintaining respectful professional relationships is important in every field and thankfully, I
got supportive co-workers and supervisors who understood my issues and believed in
communication.
Work Analysis
As mentioned before, there were two departments operating in the Karachi office – Supply Chain
and Marketing. Supply Chain had two sub departments – Import and Export. Both sub
departments were being handled quite well but lacked manpower. To meet monthly targets, they
need more clients so there obvious lack in the Marketing department. Marketing department was
not properly structured and was handled poorly.
The lack of Human resource department was evident on some days where some employees
needed early leave or next day off. Finance and accounts department being in Lahore made
decisions centralized and that made things difficult as trade was taking place in Karachi mostly
but monetary decisions and approval was made miles away. Finance department didn’t always
know the full picture as communication was mostly at email and sometimes call. Often head of
export and import were seen upset due to some decision of finance department.
The Owner/CEO often visited from Malaysia to check up on the progress of employees but his
visits were inefficient as, having witnessed it myself, whole office culture was changed and
employees pretended to work out through issues when in reality, matters were different.
Office work environment was very laid back (in the absence of CEO) and many employees
considered their current job as just a rebound until they got a better offer which wasn’t a healthy
work attitude in my opinion.
Recommendations
As per my observation, I recommend that Super Terra move or create finance department to
Karachi branch. This would simply decision making process and improve their accuracy.
Although Climax software integrated company virtually but for all departments to work together
it’s important for them to be physically together.
Another department that was lacking expertise was marketing. Marketing department needed to
be properly structured and treated as in important business unit. Company was in dire need to
hire a Marketing manager and few executives under that position to handle traditional and digital
marketing channels and not just interns who can post occasionally on social media accounts.
Company’s most business came from B2B channel, therefore, the company need to invest their
marketing budget to promote the brand there.
A proper vertical hierarchy structure would be much suitable as CEO remains out of country
most of the time so a VP or GM at each branch could oversee the operations and resolve any
day-to-day issues. This will improve the communication barrier between employees and CEO as
there would be a middle man who would communicate those messages to the top management. It
will also ensure there was one man in-charge to minimize conflicts that might occur due to no
head.
A HR manager must also be hired to address all employees’ concerns, evaluate performances
more closely and make hiring process run more smoothly. A single competent employee for HR
department would be sufficient for the current workforce but as the company would expand, this
department could expanded, as well.