Yesterday, we gave some important tips on how Logistics companies can be at their best during logistics peak periods, you can read it here. On today’s topic, we will talk about how other businesses and individuals can be able to meet their customers’ demands during peak periods.
Being able to satisfy your customers’ demands is something that is indispensable if you must appear reliable in the eyes of your customer. Customers need reliability at a time when their demands are high because those are times their business can scale up significantly; below are practical tips you can apply to enable you look strong in that aspect;
1. Check historical data first:
Planning effectively for any business especially ascertaining supply and demand trends begin by looking at historical data and digesting the information they give. Archived data about past sales, such as, which inventory products were best sellers, average order size, origin/channel of maximum orders (e.g. online or in-store) and other important variables will help inform the right order execution and fulfillment strategy.
Importantly, measuring sales trends as they change will show spikes and curves in your sales data. By identifying what happened historically, you will be able to forecast for better future planning. In addition, answering the following questions will help direct your attention to important parts of the order fulfillment process for peak season:
- What was the sales order target and how did fulfillment perform against it.?
- What were the bottlenecks in inventory management and logistics?
- How were these bottlenecks tackled?
- What were the top 10 customer complaints, and how were they resolved?
- How reliable was my customers and my logistics staff and partners?
With answers to these questions, you should be able to make informed decision based on current realities.
2. Make customer satisfaction your end goal:
Whatever you do during the peak period, make customer satisfaction your end. More than ever, customers value quick, timely deliveries and good quality support should any issues arise. If it’s logistically and commercially realistic, consider investing in your logistics to facilitate one-day delivery. Quick delivery is fast becoming part of the competitive proposition. That said, in some cases it’s simply not feasible. Smaller retailers may simply not have the resources or the margins. There’s good news in that case. Reliability is still more important than speed. When it comes to delivery, the chief concern for the customer is that their order arrives when the retailer told them it would arrive. Manage expectations, and deliver accordingly. Failure to meet promises can create some serious ill will and prevent shoppers from returning.
Also read on How to develop a customer centered business
3. Get staff ready:
If you as a business owner are ready to give your customers the best service during the peak season and your staff are not ready, then it’s good to say that your entire business is not ready because however your staff works affects your business either positively or negatively. Let your staff know the high-volume period is approaching so they are psychologically prepared to stretch a bit further . During your staff meetings you can prepare staff in many ways, brief them about the heightened emotional state of their customers, train them to be more empathetic and see things from the customer’s perspectives, and also assure them of your full support and your availability to answer their questions and clarify issues. You could even discuss simple stress management techniques to help them make it through the peak period.
4. Strategize with your logistics partner: How successful your sales efforts are during peak periods depends on how much you are able to get customer’s orders across to them, and on time. Optimize your inventory; Stock-outs commonly happen due to faulty in-store ordering and replenishing practices, as well as a lack of visibility into the location of inventory shipments. Efficient transportation management that ensures the timely flow of products and services without errors is critical. If your items require importation from overseas, plan ahead and engage your logistics partner early enough. The truth is you are not the only customer your 3pl logistics partner may have, and they are working to satisfy all their customers at the same time. Discuss and agree on delivery dates, timelines, payment structure, frequency of deliveries and other important key aspects of your expectations.
If you are working with Edas Global Supply Chain Limited, we will agree with you on parameters that meet your business needs, suggest best shipping methods for your goods and deliver.
Scale up your business this peak season, Use Edas Global Supply Chain Ltd. Email info@edasglobalsupplychain.com or call +2347089921886
