The last few years have been extremely tough for many businesses which have had to adapt to stay afloat during a global pandemic.
But while we may have emerged from one crisis, businesses are now facing an array of new challenges. From economic uncertainty and strikes to a global supply chain crisis that’s being heightened by geopolitical events, businesses are having to adapt once again to keep their operations running.
The immediate outlook for ths year remains uncertain. So, how can businesses remain resilient? Here are our top tips to help businesses navigate the year ahead.
Stay flexible and plan ahead
As demand continued to fluctuate throughout the year, it’s essential that logistics partners are able to be flexible and nimble in response to what’s going on in the wider external context. The landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay on top of how it’s changing and adapting, as each challenge comes.
In line with this, looking at what’s ahead and in particular, logistics forecasting, can help build more resilience into the supply chain. Accurately predicting what demand will look like and planning resource accordingly, all whilst making use of the latest technology to do so, will be key for logistics providers and their partners to thrive in the new year.
Honesty is the best policy
It’s important that a certain level of expectation management is done, whether that’s for clients or their customers. With uncertainty ahead, logistics providers should avoid overpromising and set sensible delivery expectations. As part of this, it’s helpful to offer a full range of delivery options – from same and next day, to longer-lead windows, this can help to ease the pressure on providers, allowing them to be in a better position to manage peaks.
And of course, there will be factors that are out of people’s control. So, if for some reason deliveries are going to be delayed, then logistics providers must keep communication flowing and share updates on timings.
Learn lessons from the pandemic
There are certainly takeaways from the pandemic that have prepared logistics providers for other similar events that are causing disruption to the supply chain. For example, it was the strong partnerships in place that enabled vaccines to be delivered and administered so quickly, saving lives across the country. Leaning on that experience, where supply chains were tested to the max, it demonstrates that businesses and logistics partners can work together successfully to meet targets, even at times where it might seem impossible.
So, as we look to the year ahead, having the right logistics partner that can provide high-level support during difficult times will be integral to any business in 2023.
Look to outsource
Outsourcing will be a key element for many businesses in 2023, since it can provide businesses with additional skills and resources that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. For example, having an outsourced solution not only helps provide businesses with additional capability to move deliveries forward in the face of disruption, but it can also increase efficiency and allows businesses to focus their efforts on other priority tasks.
And the beauty of outsourcing is that it’s totally flexible. By not having to take on this support permanently, it allows businesses to ramp up activity in busier times and to pull back during quieter periods when they have reduced orders.
We would always recommend finding a logistics partner who has a strong track record. Finding the right partner who removes stress from the business and doesn’t add it is critical for success.
Darren Taylor, business solutions director, CitySprint
