Here we are, a few weeks into 2020, and this is the time when some people lose steam with their new year’s resolutions. Do not dismay – it happens to the best of us!
Change is hard … which is why we are sometimes slow to tackle it.
Often the changes we most need to make – are the most daunting. Big change can’t be executed overnight because big change is like turning a cruise ship; it takes time, patience, and a good crew.
Big change doesn’t happen alone – it happens when you align yourself with the right team, partners and tools. The good news is once you’ve changed your course – even by just a few degrees – that shift can radically change your direction over time. Plus sometimes small changes reveal other issues which have been impeding growth or masking a larger issue.
So what small changes can you implement now to help propel your business in the right direction?
We talked with some of our fastest growing clients about the smaller changes they made which had a positive impact on their warehouse operations. They all said: “assess and optimize your partners”. Partners can include your shippers, suppliers, scanners, baggers and more. Stakeholders within your organization may have a preference for or bias toward a particular vendor type or even a particular vendor, based on their own departmental priorities. There is always resistance to change on a site with long-established manual processes.
It is important to consider the scope of offerings in the market, balancing these against your strategic and operational needs as well as those of your broader organization. A large number of factors — including innovation, track record, international reach and support, expertise, overall business viability and product — should all be considered when shortlisting new potential partners. Ask yourself: Are your partners suited to the level of complexity of your operations?
– Don’t overpay or over-complicate systems.
– Identify the pain points you currently experience with your current partners.
– Always conduct trials/ demos with a new partner to gauge the level of effort at an early stage. It’s critical that your partners serve your current needs AND be able to carry you into the next level of your business development.
– Look for partners who will grow with you and support your long term goals.
Partners matter. You’re at the helm, but don’t forget … steering a company requires a whole crew.
Bon voyage Captain!