| I've had the pleasure of meeting with many small to | | | | efficient, but understanding the transit time that your |
| medium size companies in my 20 plus years of | | | | customer needs, as well as understanding whether |
| working in the Transportation Industry. Many of | | | | the product is prone to damage, moving it via the air |
| these companies I witnessed starting from the | | | | might provide less damage risks and a faster transit |
| ground up. From trying to come up with an effective | | | | time. |
| slogan, to grasping to understand the way Logistics | | | | Packaging- This is an aspect of shipping that many |
| works, and finally struggling to become efficient in | | | | customers, especially the smaller shippers, tend to |
| shipping out their products. The freight industry is | | | | overlook. The main reason people skimp on proper |
| very dynamic, and in order for a company to thrive | | | | packaging is because of price. Typically, to establish a |
| and overcome the various obstacles, there are some | | | | reliable packaging concept one needs to hire a |
| basic procedures that need to be put in place in the | | | | consultant to perform drop tests. In this day and |
| area of shipping. Sure, a company can shun using | | | | time customers know there business, and especially |
| these procedures, but the consequences can become | | | | their products and often times can determine, with |
| a tremendous setback to the growth of their | | | | great success, how their product should be packaged |
| company. | | | | to avoid excess beating. It is very important in the |
| The following are 7 processes that a good business | | | | event of damage, for the shipper to learn from this |
| establishes for their shipping department at a | | | | and to exercise stronger precautions on the next |
| minimum. Without these, increased expenses, | | | | shipment- no matter who caused the damage. |
| damages, and unhappy customers are sure to follow: | | | | UYCN- Otherwise known as "understanding your |
| Product- In order for a company to thrive in their | | | | customer's needs"- this is vitally important in the |
| logistics department they have to have a full grasp | | | | Transportation Industry for a few reasons. No one |
| of what their product offers and the need it fills in | | | | knows what works best as far as delivering a |
| the marketplace. Now let's think for a moment... Why | | | | product to a customer then the customer |
| would a Shipping department need to know the | | | | themselves. Whether it be that they need a liftgate |
| advantage their product brings to the market? In this | | | | (because of no dock), inside delivery (because of |
| day and age it is very important to understand one's | | | | lack of personnel), or a smaller truck (because of lack |
| competition, and where they are located in | | | | of space) the customer will know this information. |
| relationship to your company. If your product is | | | | And many times they will fail to communicate this to |
| manufactured on the west coast, and your customer | | | | you the shipper. It is your job to ask them. Don't |
| is located on the East coast it could be considered | | | | expect for your carrier to know, and if they deliver |
| business as usual. However, add this to the mix- your | | | | without receiving this information, please believe that |
| biggest competitor is 25 miles away from that client. | | | | you will be charged. A great habit that many of my |
| You have already established value with this client | | | | clients do is to keep each of their clients details in an |
| with a wonderful sales staff, but now you need to | | | | excel spreadsheet so that the information can be |
| make sure the product gets across country | | | | updated as need be. |
| expeditiously, economically and without damage. | | | | CCNC-" Communicate your customer needs to the |
| Understanding the value and the location of your | | | | carrier." This is pretty common sense, but you'd be |
| nearest competitors will help to add to understanding | | | | surprised how many customers take it for granted |
| the proper mode of transportation that is needed to | | | | that the carrier will have certain resources at their |
| secure a smooth delivery. On a separate note, this is | | | | disposal. For example, in Freight it is thought that ALL |
| why many companies are turning to a 3PL to | | | | carriers have Air-Ride vehicles and liftgates. That's |
| establish a presence through the use of warehousing | | | | not the case!!! So make sure you don't assume this. |
| in a central location. I have known customers who | | | | You need to make sure that you ask for what you |
| really didn't have to worry about being expeditious to | | | | want. There may be an extra charge depending on |
| beat the competition because there was none. There | | | | who you use, but you want to make sure you get |
| product stood no competition and their clients had to | | | | the order right the first time. |
| buy from them, chances are most companies aren't | | | | Liability Requirements- Nobody wants to have |
| that lucky, and your competitors grow each day. | | | | damages, but when you ship via Freight carrier things |
| Mode of Transportation- This brings us to the second | | | | happen. Make sure you understand the liability |
| point. Understanding the proper mode of | | | | process, and communicate it to your customer- |
| transportation to get your product to your customer | | | | especially if you ship a product that you know is |
| in an efficient and timely manner is another vital | | | | prone to damage. When you're up front with your |
| factor to shipping. Nowadays, it's a known fact that | | | | client it shows the added value that you can offer as |
| many customers are electing to use Freight services | | | | a vendor and gives them a reason to do business |
| to move their product across the country. This | | | | with you, and maybe not the guy next door. |
| method is definitely the most cost efficient; | | | | Method of Payment- When you establish your |
| however, there may be times wherein your product | | | | business it is necessary to make sure that you |
| might benefit more from using an Expedited Service. | | | | establish how you want your customer's to pay. |
| Perhaps expedited may not be the most cost | | | | |