Navigating your freight through a pandemic

Navigating your freight through a pandemic

The last 5 months have brought turbulent changes to Australian businesses and the way that we operate through an ever-changing and evolving pandemic.

With many working from home and a lot of businesses moving to e-commerce platforms to stay afloat, it has meant that all businesses have needed to become (if not already) quick-thinking, resourceful and fluid.

One industry which as a whole has remained consistent (albeit increased regulations to uphold and hurdles to contend with) is the Freight Industry.  The demand for freight has never been higher which has seen major freight powerhouses struggle at times trying to process the sheer volume of freight that is currently travelling throughout the country.

It’s hard to not feel frustrated when you are on the receiving end of delays in service by businesses that you heavily depend upon, but, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges all are currently facing and analysing if there is anything that you can do from your side to relieve the pressure off your team when navigating your freight through a pandemic.

So, how do we suggest you navigate your freight through a pandemic?

GIVE YOURSELF OPTIONS AND RESOURCES

Multi-carrier options give you the ability to be fluid in not only price but service. Not everything can be perfectly pre-empted and planned. Urgencies happen and deadlines become shorter which puts pressure on you and your supply chain to get the job done. With multi-carrier options, you have the freedom of choice and flexibility.

LOOK AT INTRODUCING A TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Transparency within your supply chain is invaluable. Consolidating your freight not only helps your team visualize your orders easier but reduces time spent managing along with the internal noise between departments who seek updates or clarification. Having this information at your fingertips provides a better service to your client base with minimal effort introduced to achieve it.

PLAN AHEAD WHERE POSSIBLE

The freight industry is doing a sensational job of keeping up with demand. In the grand scheme of things, there have been minimal service impacts with the majority of freight travelling as expected. With this said, if you can introduce a system which gives your business time to process, pack, dispatch and travel to its destination within a realistic time-frame (that allows an extra day or two in transit) you will be ahead of the game. This not only translates into fewer frustrations but the financial savings add up significantly when you can afford (time-wise) to send your freight on general services.

Use this time to educate yourself. Review your freight, processes and supply chain technology to ensure that your costs and systems are in line with where they should be. Partner with businesses that work with you to get you the outcomes you need and who can offer you the knowledge and resources to improve your supply chain.

If you found this article helpful and want to learn more about improving your supply chain  check out this article about ensuring that your freight travels

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