No matter how robust you believe a business process to be, it could always be better and more reliable. It’s really as simple as that. If something can go wrong, odds are it will go wrong at some point. Even the most trusted staff member can become sick at no fault of their own and may need someone to replace their position for a temporary period.
As such, wise business owners learn to add contingency to almost any process that can go wrong. But of course, how you do this, not if you do it, is the true mark of good management. This also means knowing exactly where and how contingencies should be put in place.
For example, a good logistics network is often supported and reinforced by contingency planning, because ample movement of goods and supplies is integral to many business plans.
But how might you add a contingency to planning your logistical approach? In this post, we’ll discuss some options to help in that regard:
Have Several Couriers You Can Call
Even the most dependable delivery service can experience delays or disruptions, whether it’s due to weather, technical issues, staff shortages, or just breakdowns. That’s why having a few backup couriers you can reach out to in case something goes wrong can be the difference between a happy or annoyed customer. We’d recommend a same day courier service you could use at short notice and in emergencies. This way, if your first courier is unavailable, you’re not left scrambling to find a solution at the last minute.
Temp Driver Agencies
Sometimes you just don’t have drivers available, which could happen if you only have a small business and a few vans. Luckily, temp drivers can also be helpful during busy periods, like the holiday season, when demand is intense and your usual team may need extra support.
A temp agency will offer a fully qualified driver, insured, you can ensure you always have access to the personnel needed to keep everything on track. Of course, you will need to ensure insurance is properly applied, but this can be achieved with a good coverage plan.
Offer Refunds For Delays
Sometimes, delays do just happen. This can be frustrating for customers, but when they know that they’ll be compensated if something goes wrong, it helps reduce such irritation and shows that your business takes responsibility for any issues. This approach can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one, keeping your customers happy even when things don’t go as planned. At the best they’ll have their product in time, at worst they won’t have to pay for delivery. This means they’ll be more likely to order with you again even if something goes wrong and you can’t quite deliver. Over holiday periods this can be very important.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to add contingency planning to your logistics going forward, and hopefully avert any issues before they happen. This will also help you learn the rigors of logistics and improve as you grow.
