The future of logistics goes into the second round

Logistics brings the world together - and DHL is bringing the world's most promising future players on the logistics market together. On August 6, the second round of DHL Fast Forward, the first worldwide logistics business simulation, will get underway.

Round one saw more than 8,500 participants from over 120 countries. Now it's down to the best 100 teams, each with 5 players, to master the unique online strategy game.

While the players used the first round to build up their country's leading express courier company, phase two will be about taking on the global market. At the same time, business models will be expanded to include other logistics services such as air travel and sea cargo.

At the start of 2009, the ten best teams of this competition will meet at Deutsche Post World Net's headquarters in Bonn, Germany, and contend in the final round of DHL Fast Forward.

In mid-April DHL launched its initiative

In mid-April, DHL launched its international Discover Logistics initiative under the patronage of German Secretary of State, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The aim of Discover Logistics is to open up the exciting and fast-growing logistics industry to as many talented newcomers as possible and give them a good idea of career perspectives available in the logistics industry.

"The response so far has been overwhelming; our expectations have been more than met. We are delighted that so many talented young people from around the world are getting interested in logistics," says Walter Scheurle, Head of Human Resources at Deutsche Post World Net.

"And the DHL Fast Forward online game is the ideal way to get these highly motivated young people involved in our world, and to make them aware of our strengths as a potential employer. The game means we are taking a cutting-edge approach to employer branding."

The second phase will take seven weeks in total

On top of in-depth industry knowledge and business expertise, the second phase of DHL Fast Forward will require excellent communication skills and the ability to organize teamwork effectively - across national borders and different cultural backgrounds. It will take seven weeks in total, and this time everyone who battled it out on their own in the first phase will have to show their ability to contribute to a team effort.

The winning team is in for EUR50,000 worth of prizes, including management training, travel vouchers and opportunities to make invaluable contacts from all corners of the world's largest logistics employer.

One of the central resources for the players will be the Logbook, a logistics compendium which forms the second key component of the Discover Logistics initiative. This online multimedia application explains every aspect of modern logistics and its vast terminology in a comprehensive glossary.

The Logbook also contains portraits of numerous international DHL managers, enabling participants to take a look behind industry scenes. Fascinating video reports shed some light on the professional and private stories of DHL employees throughout the world.

For more information, go to: www.dhl-discoverlogistics.com.