Tips on How to Optimize Your Supply Chain

​The supply chain was once a distant consideration, only becoming front-of-mind when there was an issue. Supply chain issues are becoming the rule, rather than the exception this year. Many businesses are taking a much closer look at how they can optimize their supply chain, to provide more reliable and transparent shipping and communication with their valued customers. Let’s explore a few tricks of the trade enterprises are using to optimize their supply chain.

1. First steps to shipping
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Of the many different elements of the supply chain process, distribution centers come first. Consider carefully how many you need, and where each is located. Where are your customers, and where is the best location to reach them at the lowest cost? Transportation is your next issue. Are you using public or private transport, and how big of a fleet do you need? Now, look at how you store and manage your inventory. Is it gathering dust, or can you work out a “Vendor Managed Inventory” (VMI), proven to help manage inventory and give the vendor total transparency into their holdings.

 2. Prepare your warehouse

You must ensure that your warehousing processes are perfect. Failure at this juncture has closed down many businesses who thought warehousing was just a simple storage operation. It’s critical that you are organized, efficient and knowledgeable about your warehousing needs. Warehousing is a massive expense, but many enterprises are choosing to outsource their warehousing to third-party logistics partners, who have the infrastructure and expertise to get warehousing done easily and quickly, without wildly shifting costs.

​3. Common mistakes in the supply chain and how to avoid them

A few of the most common mistakes in the supply chain include inventory shortages or poor inventory practices, inefficiency, human error, health and safety issues, and storage or warehouse layout issues. While each issue is very different, technology is the answer to all, more often than not. Consider using software to manage and track your inventory, and alleviate inefficiency and human error in the storage and shipping process. Health and safety issues are also easily tracked using technology, while a technologically organized warehouse or storage facility means finding what you need faster and with less likelihood of error.  
 
How to develop and efficient logistics process

Now that you’ve taken the steps to optimize your supply chain, it’s time to cash in on those efforts by letting your customers know what you have done, and how it will benefit them. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can tell the story of your supply chain, in a way your customers can understand and appreciate.

• Website focused on small and medium sized brick & mortar retailers

Your shipping warehouse is going to be a great jumping off point for local retailers, so create a website focused on attracting small or medium sized brick and mortar retailers looking for a way to offer convenient and inexpensive shipping options to customers. The closer your warehouse is to retailers and customers, the more reliable, faster and cheaper the shipping process will be.

• Keep it relevant to the audience​​

Your audience will be looking for certain things when choosing your supply chain option. Some customer bases prioritize eco-friendly shipping practices, while others expect fast and reliable shipping every time. Whatever gets your customer base excited, that’s the story you write. Keep everything clear and relevant to their issues, and avoid using too much self-promoting, “marketing” speak, when describing your benefits.

• Include “how to” processes​

Showing your customers that you know “how to” do what they need done, makes you an industry expert. 

​The more expertise you can show, the more likely customers are to use your service, or come to you for advice on shipping, warehousing or supply chain issues. Consider creating a page of relevant FAQs for customers, where you can inform and also subtly funnel business toward your enterprise.

• Relevant for “local” and eCommerce businesses​​

It’s important to be versatile enough to work with both local and eCommerce businesses. Locals will love you for the added convenience you provide for their customers, and for allowing them to work outside the local area. eCommerce businesses will love getting their products closer to their customers, lessening the cost and environmental impact of shipping and supply chain.
 
Don’t let down your customers who love your product, by subjecting them to a poorly designed supply chain process. Supply chain is already under assault, and you want to avoid being the next casualty. Follow these tips, and consult the experts today, to optimize your supply chain, and optimize your business success!