COMMON DELIVERY MISTAKES AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
The supply chain proved to be a critical lifeline during the pandemic-induced restrictions. As the holidays are coming around the corner, we know it will reach its peak for the year. However, disrupted supply chains have caused major issues for companies and economies around the world. As many as 94% of the Fortune 1000 companies are suffering due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. More than half of these companies have downgraded or are contemplating reducing their growth outlooks.
During these trying times and the holiday season, it has become even more vital for companies to manage their logistics more efficiently. So, here are some common mistakes to avoid when making deliveries to customers during the holiday season.
NOT LEVERAGING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
The covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for digitalization. Cutting-edge technology saved the day, providing solutions for smooth communication, collaboration, and coordination.
Statista: Adoption of Cutting-Edge Technologies by Supply Chain Companies in 2020
Advanced technology solutions help manage deliveries efficiently, lowering costs, minimizing errors, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Advanced logistics software provides real-time data to improve decision-making.
By increasing transparency through the complete process, from order creation to product delivery, such solutions are helping the logistics sector to:
- Ensure route optimization to prevent wastage of manhours and fuel
- Ensure same-day, scheduled, and on-demand deliveries
- Respond to order status inquiries quickly and effectively
- Identify urgent orders and process them accordingly
- Generate comprehensive reports for informed decision-making
With these in place, logistics companies have been able to:
- Reduce instances of failed deliveries
- Reduce vehicle operation cost
- Increase dispatcher productivity
- Improve customer service
- Enhance branding
IMPROPER PACKAGING
Storms are the only natural cause of the top ten reasons for damage to delivery parcels. Non-natural events account for as much as 87% of the total value of claims and as high as 95% of the number of claims. The probability of damage to parcels during shipping can be prevented by using proper packaging. Improving packaging material and technique may increase the cost of delivery, but this is minuscule compared to the costs associated with customers receiving damaged goods.
INACCURATE DATA ENTERED
The culprit of inaccurate data is human error. While human errors may seem natural and small, inaccuracies in data caused by such lapses are resulting in businesses losing millions of dollars every year.
The most common human errors include:
- Incorrect freight weighted recorded
- Inaccurate shipment class selected
- Incorrect or incomplete addresses entered
- Miss in recording all relevant data (like availability of the recipient at the time of delivery)
On the other hand, simply by automating storage and retrieval at warehouses, companies have increased their order accuracy levels to more than 99%.
NOT TREATING THE CUSTOMER AS KING
Many logistics companies lose business by not offering sufficient shipping options to customers, like same-day and scheduled deliveries. With effective tracking tools in place, logistics companies can offer various shipping options as well as provide customers regular updates of their packages in transit. Tracking of returns and replacements also becomes easier and removes uncertainties for customers.
Customers becoming increasingly discerning and the business landscape growing more competitive has made it even more critical for logistics companies to use the right software solutions and avoid mistakes. This not only improves the bottom line but also protects and increases the company’s brand equity over time.