How do goods start as a set of raw materials to find their way to the homes of consumers across the globe?
That’s the primary responsibility of a logistics business. The logistics industry is worth $4.6 trillion.
It’s only going to grow because of the growth of ecommerce. Consumer spending continues to increase, despite rising costs.
The logistics industry is more demanding and competitive than ever. You’re competing against the likes of Amazon, 3PL providers, trucking companies, and more.
Throw in a host of supply chain issues thanks to the pandemic, and you have a pile of business challenges to worry about.
The only way to create a thriving logistics business is to focus on what you can control. That means you have to make your business a lean, efficient machine.
Do you want to know the best ways to do that? Read on to learn how to improve the performance of your logistics business.
1. Set Business Vision and Goals
If you’re like most small business owners, you probably spend your time getting through the day. You put out one fire after another, hoping you can make it through the month.
It’s time to put an end to that.
A business without a clear vision and goals will struggle. The small business owner’s job is to set the path forward for everyone else in the organization to follow.
Create a business vision and a set of performance goals. This will result in more revenue for the business.
2. Assess Current Logistics Processes
Take an assessment of your current logistics processes. This reveals where the opportunities to improve are.
The assessment gives you a baseline to make improvements. For instance, if you see that it takes too long for workers to log new shipments, you can find ways to make the process faster.
3. Use Data Wisely
Logistics management can’t happen based on your opinion or intuition. That’s a recipe for disaster.
The logistics process produces a lot of data. You should have enough data to know every aspect of the business.
The downside to so much data is that you can get lost in it. You can spend hours analyzing numbers and statistics.
Use data efficiently by using the metrics that align with your goals. You’ll be more focused on the things that improve performance.
4. Invest in Technology
Technology has the power to improve efficiencies in the logistics business. If you already use technology, make sure you take advantage of the latest software.
There are programs that help you with data entry, use artificial intelligence, incorporate automation, and simplify invoicing.
You can discover more here to learn more about the different software options for logistics businesses.
5. Staff Training
You may have a lot of power in your business, but you can’t improve performance by sheer will. You have to get everyone on board.
Conduct regular staff training on worker safety issues to cut down on injuries and time away from work. Train employees on new processes and technology.
6. Create a Culture of Collaboration
One of the challenges of running a logistics operation is that there are different departments. Receiving doesn’t interact with accounting and accounting doesn’t interact with shipping.
This leads to miscommunication and inefficiencies in the business.
Create a culture of collaboration. Use messaging tools and encourage employees to connect with people outside of their departments.
7. Be Prepared for Anything
An aspect of logistics performance that gets ignored is risk management. This is where you ask yourself, “What would happen if?”
Effective risk management may allow you to take advantage of opportunities when everyone else in the logistics industry scrambles to meet the needs of customers.
For instance, what would happen if there was a transportation strike? Planning a company response now puts your business ahead of the pack.
The great thing about being a small business is that you can pivot and change your logistics strategy. You might spot new opportunities in the food and beverage industry.
It would take a large company months before they can make the same changes.
Ask yourself that key question with different scenarios that would normally disrupt your business. Make a plan to address that risk and use it to your advantage.
Challenges of Implementing Measures to Improve Performance
At this point, you have a list of items to change. There are inherent challenges to making wholesale changes to any business.
For starters, you have to make sure you have the right logistics strategy in place. Do your research on the competition and the market to spot opportunities for growth.
Most of the challenges to implementing change are internal. People don’t like to see things change. That includes your employees.
They may see automation and other changes as a threat to their livelihoods. Employees are comfortable where they are.
Overcome this challenge by getting employees involved in the process early. Ask them how performance can be improved.
Employees are on the front lines and they know where the opportunities lie. You’ll receive valuable insights that you haven’t thought of.
If you get employees involved, it shows that you value their insights and opinions. If they see their suggestions enacted, they’ll be less likely to resist change.
Make Your Logistics Business Competitive
How can you compete against the big logistics companies? Make your logistics business as efficient as possible. The best way to improve the performance of your logistics business is to start with a business vision and goals.
From there, assess your current systems and ask your staff where you can improve the performance of the logistics business.
Start to make the changes slowly, and you’ll be in a great position to have a lean and efficient organization.
For more small business insights, check out the other articles in the business blog.
