How Small Businesses Can Get Logistics Right
Shipping and logistics can be the difference between a small business thriving and failing - and with so many different facets to take into consideration, it can be a challenging prospect when first starting out.
However, to provide you a quality research and writing help on your way, we’re drawing on the expertise of the packaging manufacturers from Kendon Packaging, who will be offering a number of actionable tips to stand you in good stead for nailing shipping logistics as a small business.
Simplify your supply chain
No matter the size or sector, the setup and management of your supply chain is fundamental to achieving smooth running business logistics, particularly when shipping overseas - but it doesn’t need to be over complicated in order to be effective.
Start by analyzing out a clear supply chain process - breaking down each stage of the operation from order confirmation through to product picking, packaging and shipping. A simple flowchart will suffice during the initial stages, allowing you a clear view of the supply chain and what needs to happen at each point in order for the process to move forward.
You can then dig down into the nuances of each stage to devize the fastest and most efficient strategy. Seeking professional insight from each level of the supply chain is incredibly valuable here in formulating a realistic timeline and best practice - helping to identify areas that can be streamlined without compromising on safety or efficiency.
It may also be prudent to invest in supply chain management software, unifying the entire process and allowing you to manage everything in real time, with real data. The benefits of this are twofold - greater transparency from a management perspective and on the ground and valuable data for troubleshooting and further optimizing the supply chain efficiency.
Optimize your warehouse
As the backbone of any supply chain, optimizing your warehouse goes hand in hand with mastering supply chain logistics - but it isn’t just about making operations faster. It requires continual analysis of day-to-day operations to ensure everything is working as efficiently and safely as possible.
Make use of data gathered to identify order trends - this could be top sellers, items frequently ordered together or seasonal trends. Adjust your warehouse layout accordingly, positioning high-demand products closer to the packing and loading bay, which should also be close to one another for a seamless production line.
Also, maximize storage space, making use of both floor and ceiling space. However, always maintain stringent health and safety protocol here - opting for appropriate shelves for stacking and ensuring you’re not impeding on fire safety regulations in any way.
Prioritize packaging
Managing overheads as a small business can be a major challenge, but one area we recommend you don’t cut corners is packaging your products. Low quality materials or insufficient packaging can result in goods being damaged or broken in transit. Certainly if you’re venturing into overseas shipping, the choice of packaging needs to be robust to withstand longer and often more turbulent transit to guarantee shipments arrive in tact.
Source a reliable packaging supplier, opting for hardwearing and durable solutions. While the initial outlay may be more, the expense of returned goods and bad customer feedback could be more costly to your business - and you can make savings with bulk buying at wholesale prices.
Another factor for packaging is to ensure as a business you aren’t being wasteful - not least it will cost you more, but also it can impact packaging productivity and your carbon footprint. Take time to find the optimum packaging solution that will provide suitable protection and security of products as well as minimize waste. You can even invest in packaging equipment that reuses waste cuts off to make filler - great for saving time, money and storage space.
Shop around for the best shipping deal
Whether you’re transporting goods across the country or around the world, it pays to shop around to find the best shipping deal to suit your business needs. Naturally, cost will be a major driver in transportation decisions, but it shouldn’t be the only consideration.
Taking the time research shipping companies can pay dividends in the long-term growth of your business. For instance, opting for a reputable supplier to arrange shipments for goods across the globe could cost more than a lower-grade competitor, but it could also be the difference between your products arriving on time and in mint condition. Similarly, finding a company that offers multiple services for shipping can be a good way to streamline supply logistics across the board.
Whether you’re a fledgling startup or an existing small business looking to expand and grow, it’s vital to master the basics of supply chain logistics - and we hope with these insights, you’ll be well on your way to streamlined supply chains, savvy shipping and satisfied customers, the world over.
Read also: Logistics App Development: Process, Features, and Cost
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