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When you’re delivering to domestic customers or overseeing goods that need to transported halfway across the world, the success or failure of any products-driven business is, in large part, dictated by the supply chain. A poorly managed one can become a massive money sinkhole, while an efficient and effective one can keep costs low and satisfy your customers and partners.
Your suppliers
If you’re manufacturing your own products, then the manufacturing line is a part of your supply chain that needs a lot more attention. If you’re getting your products from other suppliers, then you need to choose them carefully. A supplier who doesn’t let you down in terms of how reliable their supply is will undoubtedly be the best choice. However, more important is a supplier who actually tells you about their own supply chain and keeps you updated with transparent information about changes and problems. It’s better to work with someone who has let you down and been honest about the issues rather than someone who hasn’t let you down but wouldn’t inform you if they did.
Your warehouse
If you’re keeping any products in your warehouse, then your ability to store them correctly, find them when necessary, and quickly ship them out will be crucial to the next steps of freighting and delivering. Businesses that don’t have the manpower to operate a warehouse should instead look at fulfillment teams that they can work with. Otherwise, making sure you have experienced managers using the right inventory software can make all the difference.
Your transport
This mostly applies to those who are selling in markets far from home, whether it be on the opposite end of the country or even overseas. Choosing reliable freight teams who know the routes you take and the markets you’re delivering to, such as Leelinechina.com, will ensure a cost-effective delivery from A to B. Experience is the most crucial aspect here as not only do they need to know the transportation methods, but also the legal processes of importing and exporting goods, making sure there are fewer hiccups along the way.
Your deliveries
The last point, freighting, is about making sure your products make it in bulk from one region to the other. However, once it arrives there, you may still need to get it to the customer. One of the best ways to ensure the efficient delivery of products to your customers is by using GPS telematics like Samsara.com. By tracking the routes your vehicles take or working with partners who do, you can get a much better idea of the average delivery time, allowing you to offer customers better estimates. Furthermore, you can also look at and resolve to reduce inefficiencies through better driver training.
Take a closer look at your existing supply chain. Are there partners or processes that are letting you down? Where do you lose money and time? Look at the changes you can make to strengthen those links and run a much more efficient business as a result.
