I have devoted some time at the start of this project to getting to grips with who Fortna are as a company.
''Today’s customer occupies a new power position. They want the best product at the most convenient location and the lowest price. And they expect delivery the next day—if not today. Loyalty is no longer dictated by brand, but by the type of service you can provide. Fall short just once and your customer may be gone.
Competing in this landscape comes down to the strength and execution of your distribution strategy. No longer viewed as a cost of doing business, distribution becomes a focal point for business growth—your ultimate competitive advantage. But it’s a difficult problem to solve. It takes optimizing numerous complex, interrelated factors – like where to locate fulfillment centers and inventory, when to add capacity, how to optimize transportation – to get the greatest return for the business. These can be “bet the business” type decisions since the consequences will impact the business for years to come. And even harder than choosing the right path, is getting all the stakeholders to support it.'' [1]
Fortna's location within the bounds of Milton Keynes.
The Distribution Experts®
''At Fortna, we help the world’s biggest brands transform their distribution operations into a competitive advantage. We can help you map the flow of goods, engineer custom distribution operations, select the right equipment, and take your operations to a higher level. By partnering with Fortna our clients are better able to make and keep bold promises to their customers.'' [1]
Essentially Fortna aims help companies improve and build their distribution networks enabling them to accelerate a businesses revenue growth. They do this via a collaborative approach, whereby they engage with a company to understand what is needed and what is at stake. Ultimately they hold themselves accountable for delivering a solution that performs as agreed. [2]
Fortna's Business Principles:
OUR CLIENTS’ INTERESTS ALWAYS COME FIRST.
Our experience shows that if we serve our Clients well, our own success will follow.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO COMPLYING FULLY WITH THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE LAWS, RULES AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT GOVERN US.
Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of those are ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore.
INTEGRITY AND HONESTY ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR BUSINESS.
We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.
WE HAVE AN UNCOMPROMISING DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE UNDERTAKE.
We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.
WE STRESS CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
While recognising that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a Client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that will become standard in the industry.
WE MAKE AN UNUSUAL EFFORT TO IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT THE VERY BEST PERSON FOR EVERY JOB.
Although our activities are measured in millions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.
OUR MEN AND WOMEN MUST REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES IN WHICH WE OPERATE FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
That means we must attract, retain, and motivate people from many backgrounds and perspectives. Being diverse is not optional; it is what we must be.
TEAMWORK IS EVERYTHING.
While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the firm and its Clients.
THE DEDICATION OF OUR PEOPLE TO THE FIRM AND THE INTENSE EFFORT THEY GIVE THEIR JOBS ARE GREATER THAN ONE FINDS IN MOST OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
We think that this is an important part of our success.
WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO ANTICIPATE THE RAPIDLY CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS AND TO DEVELOP NEW SERVICES TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
We know that the world will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.
WE WILL NOT BREACH OUR CLIENTS’ CONFIDENCES OR USE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IMPROPERLY OR CARELESSLY.
To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.
WE MUST ALWAYS BE FAIR COMPETITORS AND MUST NEVER DENIGRATE OTHER FIRMS.
We will point out our unique strengths and explain why they are important differentiators on the project.
[3]
References:
[1] Fortna. (2019). Who We Are - Fortna. [online] Available at: http://www.fortna.com/about-us/who-we-are/ [Accessed 25 Jan. 2019].
[2] Fortna. (2019). How We Work - Fortna. [online] Available at: http://www.fortna.com/about-us/how-we-work/ [Accessed 25 Jan. 2019].
[3] Fortna. (2019). Our Principles - Fortna. [online] Available at: http://www.fortna.com/about-us/our-principles/ [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].