Has your boss ever told you, “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions”?
It can be their way of saying they want to hear your logistics ideas. It can be empowering. You’ve no doubt thought of ways to do things better or asked yourself why some processes exist. Now is your opportunity to bring your solutions to the table and improve operations in your division.
But what if you don’t have any logistics ideas? Maybe you just have lots of problems that need to get solved. If you don’t know where to start, try these suggestions that can help improve your parcel delivery issues.
1- Implement a Multicarrier Shipping Solution
The first logistic idea you should pitch to your boss is implementing a multicarrier shipping solution. In a busy environment, every second counts. You and your team members don’t have time to shop around on every courier provider’s website to find the best price to send a parcel.
When you use a multicarrier shipping solution, you can import orders from an ecommerce platform or with a CSV file. You can then browse rates from popular courier companies and find the one that gets your parcel delivered on time and under budget. Some of the other benefits you can expect are:
- De-risking of your business thanks to access to multiple courier suppliers
- Process one order or 1000 orders in minutes instead of hours
- Access to several domestic and international postal services
- Proactive and customizable tracking notifications allow you to see the journey of your parcel
2- Simplify Existing Processes
Any logistics ideas that save time and money are sure to impress your boss. One approach you can take is to review your current processes and procedures. If new technology has been implemented or developed, then you might not need to follow the same steps you once did.
For example, do you still download shipping labels, open them as a PDF and then print each one individually? There is a better way. Interparcel has introduced the Print Manager. It allows you to print directly from the platform, so you don’t need to download a bunch of files and remind yourself to delete them later.
3- Automate Tasks
The word automation can cause some concern for some logistics workers. They worry that it means their job might be in danger. But automating tasks actually means it will give them time back in their day to focus on more critical duties instead of shipping parcels.
One of the tasks you can automate is providing customers with updates on their delivery. The most common question you likely receive is, “where is my parcel?” But with the Branded Tracking Portal, your clients can self-serve and keep tabs on where their package is at all times. They can even receive notifications at different stages of the delivery journey.
4- Provide Customers With Choice
The most important factor to remember when pitching logistics ideas is your customers. Your solutions should benefit not only you but your clients. You can start by looking at what their expectations are in relation to shipping.
For example, according to the Australia Post Delivery Experience Report 2021, 60% of customers surveyed want the certainty of when their parcel will arrive over speed. Determine if your clients prefer express as an option or if standard delivery is acceptable. You can then customize your multicarrier shipping solution and choose courier providers that meet these expectations.
5- Present an Overall Strategy
Instead of pitching to your boss several logistics ideas, you can impress them with a strategy for your division. It can include an analysis of the current issues facing the industry today and fulfillment solutions that can meet business objectives and improve customer experience.
You might think collating all of this information would take days or weeks. But Interparcel has already done the hard work for you. The 2023 Guide to Shipping and Fulfillment for Your Small Business is the perfect blueprint to help you formulate a strategy for the year ahead and beyond. Download your free copy here!
Choose the Right Suppliers for Your Logistics Ideas
Implementing one or all of these ideas can help you optimize your shipping processes so your organization can meet its business objectives. It can also lead to improved financial results and better customer experiences. But one of the keys to executing your logistics ideas is working with reliable partners.
At Interparcel, we know time is precious for logistics managers and sending parcels is the last thing you want to worry about. Our free multicarrier shipping solution can help you fulfill bulk orders or one-off deliveries in minutes instead of hours. You also gain access to multiple tools that can automate tasks and meet customer expectations. Create your free account now and start shipping easier today!