| Now there's a thought to ponder. But think about it... | | | | bashful, ask the same question of ALL of the carriers |
| How true is this statement? For years now the | | | | the company does business with: |
| landscape in the world of transportation and logistics | | | | · Are your base rates the same as your |
| has changed drastically. This is especially true with | | | | competition? |
| small and medium sized businesses. The reason is the | | | | · If not, how do they compare to your top |
| responsibility for management of transportation and | | | | three competitors? |
| logistics costs usually rests with the financial group. | | | | · Who are your top three competitors? |
| Who better to control costs! While we could not | | | | · What is the margin of profit your company |
| agree more with this statement, we are intrigued by | | | | receives from our account? (NOTE: They may |
| the lack of knowledge in some companies when it | | | | stutter on this one!) |
| comes to understanding freight carrier costs. If the | | | | · How does your company determine the |
| party responsible for controlling these costs is not | | | | discount you have offered us? |
| familiar with how the carriers' determine these rates | | | | · What can we do as a business partner to |
| how can they be successful in their mission to control | | | | help you reduce costs so that we can share in that |
| these costs. | | | | savings? |
| You would be surprised at how many companies just | | | | · As our business partner for the past ___ |
| do not have a clue. On the other hand, you would be | | | | years, what advice would you give us to help us |
| amazed at how successful some companies are in | | | | reduce costs? |
| this area even though they are not transportation | | | | The real challenge is to let the carrier know that you |
| experts. What separates the have's from the have | | | | care. That you have a corporate fiduciary |
| not's? Very often it's the basic skill of asking | | | | responsibility to make sure your company receives |
| questions so the executive can educate themselves | | | | the most competitive rates for the services being |
| on the freight carriers costing structures. Once the | | | | provided. Remember we said "MOST COMPETITIVE", |
| corporate executive shows his knowledge to the | | | | not the cheapest rate. There is a huge difference. |
| carrier sales representatives, you would be surprised | | | | The cheapest rate may wind up being the most |
| at how far they can drive costs down. It's a simple | | | | costly rate if the shipment is lost pr damaged or if |
| point of "Knowledge is Power". | | | | you lose a customer because of poor service. By the |
| Here are a list of questions every corporate | | | | way, do you know what your customer's wants and |
| executive in charge of controlling transportation costs | | | | needs are? You don't know what you don't know. It |
| should ask their carrier sales reps. And don't be | | | | may be time to find out. |