If this year has proven anything, it’s how the supply chain contributes to a company’s growth. Manufacturers are seeing the benefits of partnering with logistics providers and the critical role of getting finished products to the customer. Yet in order to ensure that the supply chain is enabling growth, a few steps must be taken to optimize the benefits for all parties involved.
The first step is that the supply chain must become customer-oriented instead of product oriented. Dedicated service will keep customers coming back, which will result in increased sales for the long term. Working with and communicating with customers helps ensure that they get what they need when they need it. When customers know that their needs are being met, they will work with a provider and continue to place orders, especially in a business-to-business world. Companies want to work with other companies they can trust, and when both sides emphasize a dedication to service, the customer will appreciate it.
The second step in developing a supply chain growth strategy is to keep communication open with all parties. When silos exist, communication comes to a standstill, whereas collaboration allows for execution to occur quickly and provides better decision making when it comes to getting products shipped on time. When communication breaks down, backlogs form and customers become frustrated because they’re wondering where their order is. Keep problems small by getting in contact with all of the stakeholders and solve them right away.
The third step in developing a supply chain growth strategy is developing a multi-channel personalized experience. This is no longer a “nice to have” it is now a requirement for supply chain providers. That means drivers greeting customers with a smile and friendly attitude. It also means responding to customer inquiries quickly and with a personal touch – talking on the phone instead of letting their requests sit in an email inbox or voicemail. This will only become more important as companies shift into a virtual workforce, which will place a premium on human interaction.
At Zip Xpress, we understand that building a supply chain is also about building relationships. Our dedication to service is focused on keeping all stakeholders satisfied, whether that be ensuring our drivers greet a customer with a smile or answering every phone call in our office. We also work hard to optimize every shipment so that they will arrive undamaged and on time. Building a growth-centered supply chain is about providing our partners with the custom carrier solutions that will help their business succeed. To see how we can do this for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!
