Martin Schulze is the CEO of BusinessCode and BlueBox Systems, a start-up specialising in supply chain visibility and collaboration. With over 25 years of experience in logistics and IT, he has played a key role in creating innovative solutions that harness data and digitalisation.

Schulze joined BusinessCode in 1999 as a software developer, advancing to CEO in 2018. In 2020, he spearheaded the launch of BlueBox Systems, leveraging decades of expertise in logistics digitalisation. Under his leadership, BlueBox Systems developed advanced tools like “BlueBoxCargo,” enabling real-time tracking for air and ocean freight. Martin focuses strategically on the freight market’s complexities and innovation opportunities.

What was your dream job as a child?

Zookeeper.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry?

When I started in the early 2000 in the interface of IT and Logistics, both industries where nearly a “men only” show. Luckily, this has changed (but still a way to go).

What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike?

Everything around Cryptocurrencies and Tokenization (but I am afraid it’s not a secret)

Window or aisle seat?

Window seat – Watching the earth from above is one of the most astonishing things I can never get enough of.

What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way?

The most eye-opening learning for me was to understand that we as human beings are way less rational in our behavior than we think. Knowing this helps a great deal to understand yourself and other people.

If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would love to be in the shoes of a person in a leadership role with a totally different background than my own to learn from his or her perspective.

Which three items would you bring to a desert island?

A boat, water and a compass.

Tea or coffee?

Tea.

What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?

Drive to Survive.

What’s the most exciting place you’ve visited for work?

Singapore – a vibrant, truly multicultural place.

If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be?

Make capturing of milestone data mandatory.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

See answer to the question ”If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?”.

Describe your job in three words.

Listen, learn and communicate.

What’s your hidden talent?

I am quite good in cleaning the house, doing laundry and ironing.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

Singing.

What’s something on your bucket list?

Crossing the Alps on foot.

What’s the best airport in the world, and why?

I like Airports that minimise my time at the airport, and from that perspective Berlin Tegel was perfect.

If air cargo had a mascot, what would it be?

Either a carrier pigeon or a racing horse.

How did you get into airfreight/logistics?

The company I started my professional career with (and that I am honoured to serve as the CEO now) worked for Deutsche Post / DHL and helped them with their digitalisation. IT for Logistics has been my focus area ever since. The beauty of logistics (and also IT) is that it is involved in any other business as a horizontal layer. And both industries deliver what keeps our world and our personal lives moving.

What quote has most resonated with you?

Believe.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Try. Try again. Try once more. Try differently. Try tomorrow. Try and ask for help. Try find someone who’s done it. Try to fix what is not working. Try to expand what is working. Just keep trying until you succeed.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Marriage – a never ending, always exciting and inspiring adventure.

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?

My father-in-law – Time with him was way too short.

Elon Musk – I would love to understand why he developed the way he did

Susie Wolff – Learn how it is to thrive in a totally male dominated sport and business and help paving a path for women.

What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?

I have a passion for nature and wildlife and enjoy hiking.