The 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023

Crystal Cleveland: Navigating Global Trade With Expertise

The 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023

Meet Crystal Cleveland, the accomplished Chief Executive Officer at Xebec International Logistics, LLC, whose unparalleled experience and unwavering commitment have revolutionized the industry. With a remarkable journey spanning 15 years, Crystal has transcended the roles of both client and service provider, gaining a holistic perspective that fuels her exceptional leadership.

Crystal’s ascent through the ranks is a testament to her expertise and dedication. As an adept International Trade Compliance Consultant, she has meticulously crafted a legacy of forging relationships, steering projects from inception to fruition, and orchestrating educational strategies that empower individuals to thrive. Her innate ability to guide companies toward unwavering compliance with national and international regulations has solidified her reputation as an unwavering industry leader.

Crystal’s prowess extends beyond her mastery of regulations and business law. A brilliant communicator, she possesses an innate knack for fostering positive and mutually beneficial relationships. Her interactions are imbued with a genuine ethical compass that guides her every move. Crystal understands that long-lasting success is built upon the bedrock of principled practices and transparent collaborations.

At the heart of Crystal’s leadership lies a profound understanding of compliance laws and regulations. Her insights into the intricate web of international trade compliance are unparalleled, enabling her to steer her company through even the most complex challenges. From intricate cross-border transactions to navigating evolving regulatory landscapes, Crystal’s expertise shines as a guiding light.

Empowering Leadership for Growth

Crystal’s leadership style embodies a fusion of Consultative and Transformational approaches. While attentively addressing employees’ concerns, she upholds an open-door policy that encourages a transparent exchange of insights regarding the organization’s functioning. This Consultative aspect allows employees to freely share both successful strategies and areas needing improvement. Concurrently, the Transformational facet of her leadership is evident in her inclination to motivate employees to establish and attain goals, even if these objectives stretch their comfort zones. This practice is geared towards fostering potential professional development.

At the core of the company’s operational framework lies employee engagement, a pivotal element in driving positive outcomes within the workplace. The management places considerable emphasis on actively listening to employees, taking into account how daily operations impact their engagement levels. Recognizing that engaged employees tend to exhibit superior performance, the senior management team recognizes that this culture sets the company apart from its competitors. This emphasis on engagement ultimately contributes to the distinct character of the organizational culture.

Adapting Amidst Adversity

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused widespread disruptions to the global economy, a majority of companies anticipated a future surge in demand for their products. Utilizing this challenging period to its advantage, the Company undertook measures to enhance its capabilities in storing and managing both perishable and nonperishable goods, originating from various manufacturers and distributors within the market. With the current shift to a post-pandemic landscape, XIL’s services have gained substantial significance in facilitating the storage and transportation of products. The company remains committed to continually adapting its processes and strategies to align with the evolving requirements of both present and prospective clients.

Another recent challenge faced by Crystal pertained to employee turnover. Given the economic recession, she confronted the decision of either downsizing the workforce or reconfiguring the company’s structure to enhance profitability while retaining employees. In this scenario, a collaborative effort emerged as all employees collectively engaged in cross-training across different departments. This strategic move led to service expansion, resulting in increased profits and diminished demand for new personnel. Moreover, it contributed to the contentment and engagement of the existing workforce.

Customer-Centric Excellence

At Xebec, the team prioritizes the needs of its customers. The primary objective is to establish robust connections with clients and furnish services that ultimately result in cost savings. The company offers comprehensive logistics solutions, enabling its clients to divert their attention towards other corporate advancements and expansion endeavors.

Presently, Xebec operates two warehouse locations spanning a total of  537,000 square feet in Houston, TX. In the forthcoming 18 to 24 months, the company has outlined its intentions to finalize its expansion endeavors within the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Miami, and Port of New Jersey. Additionally, Xebec is directing its attention towards the ongoing progression of its second Customs Bonded warehouse, alongside cultivating collaborations with multiple Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) sites across the nation.

Fostering Progress

Being a small business, XIL comprehends its significant role in (1) safeguarding the welfare and security of the inhabitants of Xebec, (2) ensuring the endurance and effective administration of the environments within its operational purview, and (3) enhancing the quality of the communities where its operations are situated, contributing to their betterment.

Noteworthy is the fact that all initiatives undertaken by XIL are structured to integrate AI advancement, enabling the company to operate and strategize based on up-to-the-minute data.

Empowering Global Trade

According to Crystal, within the present market landscape, numerous clients are encountering challenges in locating cost-effective and reliable logistics solutions for both import and export shipments. Additionally, they are struggling to secure warehousing space that can adapt to the ever-shifting market demands. XIL specializes in catering to these demands by offering a diverse array of services tailored to businesses spanning various sectors within the Global Trade arena. The company is well-equipped to provide comprehensive solutions that encompass warehousing services, transportation services, cutting-edge technology, extensive logistical expertise, and innovative approaches.

This comprehensive approach proves appealing to XIL’s clientele, who seek to concentrate on their core proficiencies. By entrusting XIL to meticulously devise a supply chain, they can ensure the timely arrival of all materials necessary for production. This meticulously engineered supply chain is designed to efficiently deliver finished goods to customers precisely when they are required, all while optimizing value. Furthermore, XIL’s services can be individually selected by clients to supplement their overarching supply chain strategy.

Embracing Challenges and Achieving Success

Crystal consistently advises those she encounters never to relinquish their aspirations and to maintain the belief that there’s invariably a way to actualize their goals. Encountering an obstacle should not deter one from forging their own path forward. The realm she operates in is renowned for its ruthless competition and straightforward nature, attributes that she finds captivating. Crystal often illustrates to her peers that the logistics field bears resemblance to combating fires – an instant could see everything running smoothly, only to suddenly erupt into chaos. However, in such situations, proposing solutions can lead to successful outcomes. The sense of accomplishment stemming from surmounting arduous challenges significantly propels her enthusiasm for this industry. Its dynamic nature, with perpetual fluctuations, ensures that no two days are identical.

Please Visit: https://www.xebecintl.com/