Jan van Ierland is a truck driver, Oliver Bohm a member of the European Management Board of DB Schenker. The two have never met – until today. A conversation about travel, people skills and choosing a career “On the road, you need people skills” – “And you have to be able to listen” 129 Jan van Ierland works in Tilburg (Netherlands) as a long-distance trucker for DB Schenker. 130 Family tradition Five of Jan van Ierland’s relatives are also DB Schenker employees. 131 The Golden Truck is a worldwide promo project by DB Schenker. and meet people in my job. On the other hand, though, it’s also a tough job. What’s the toughest thing about it? JVI: Well, as a driver you’re usually on the road for two to three weeks, so you don’t develop any routines. My wife, on the other hand, loves the regularity of having coffee every morning at eight. But since I often have to get up at four, I’m already awake by then. And as for watching TV in the evening: I can do that for about an hour, then I get restless and go to the pub. I just have to be on the move all the time. Is your wife happy now that you are about to retire? JVI: Yes, for sure. Since our sons left home, she’s been alone a lot. She doesn’t like the driver’s life at all. Twice she rode along with me and said, “What kind of life is this?” For you, on the other hand, it was a logical choice of profession. After all, your father was a truck driver. JVI: Yes, and he took me along on the road with him often, starting when I was five Jan van Ierland, you are not only the driver of the Golden Truck – you are possibly THE DB Schenker driver par excellence. Jan van Ierland: I’ve been at DB Schenker for 37 years now and have never wanted to switch jobs. The job pays well, the work is good – it’s not something you want to leave. Oliver Bohm, does that go for you as well? Oliver Bohm: I feel the same way. I’ve been with the company for 30 years now. After school, I started out doing an intern- ship at a bank, but that was too dry for me. I wanted a job with more adrenaline, one that offered the opportunity to travel. So I trained as a freight forwarder and then applied to Schenker. What sets DB Schenker apart for you? OB: The most important thing for our em- ployees and customers is that we are honest and authentic. Inside as well as outside. But for you, Mr. van Ierland, it will be quitting time soon… JVI: I am 64.5 years old – I will retire in a few months. On the one hand, that’s a shame, because I can discover the world Chief Commercial Officer Oliver Bohm on vacation on Norderney, island off the North Sea coast of Germany 34 35
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