There are many things that go into making a shipping company successful. In order to improve performance, it is important to focus on all aspects of the business. Here are some tips that will help your shipping company thrive!
Install Vehicle Cameras
All your vehicles should be equipped with a camera, so you’d know what’s going on. Many companies have invested in commercial vehicle dash cam tracking system that allows managers to follow the vehicles in real-time, and get alerts if the driver is speeding or violating traffic rules. The cameras also come in handy in case of an accident because you would have a video recording that could be used to establish what happened.
Dash cams will also keep drivers on high alert because they’ll know that they’re being watched. This will lead to fewer accidents, and less wear and tear on the vehicles. In turn, this will save on shipping costs. For example, if a driver is normally prone to accidents, installing a dash cam will help to mitigate that risk.
In order to follow the drivers’ behavior, you can also install GPS trackers. These will help you follow the vehicles, and ensure your workers never get lost.
Optimize The Routes
Shorter routes mean faster delivery times and happy customers. This is something every company is dreaming of. But how do you optimize the routes? Companies have been trying to find ways to optimize their routes for a long time now. There are many different methods and no one is the perfect solution for all companies. The best way to optimize your company’s route is to try out different methods and see what works best for you.
One method of optimizing routes is called the “cluster method” says CBOX Containers. This involves grouping together customers who live close to each other and delivering their orders at the same time. This can save a lot of time and fuel because the delivery driver doesn’t have to drive back and forth across town.
Another way of optimizing routes is by using software that helps plan the most efficient route. This software looks at things like traffic patterns and the shortest distance between stops.
Automate The Workflow
There are many tools that can help you automate your workflow and improve fleet performance. These are the following:
- Inventory management software
- Shipping software
- Transportation management systems
- GIS software
- Routing software
- Telematics
Each of these tools can help you manage your fleet better and optimize routes for shipping. Automating the workflow can improve fleet performance by reducing fuel costs, increasing efficiency, and improving customer service.
Communicate With The Fleet
Always keep an open line of communication with your fleet. This way, you can stay updated on their whereabouts and what they are doing. In addition, you can provide them with updates on changes in policy or procedure. Good communication will help to improve shipping performance.
For example, if you know that a particular vehicle is having difficulty with its cargo, you can dispatch another one to help. Or, if you receive a report that it has been damaged, you can provide instructions on how to proceed.
In order to effectively communicate with your fleet, you will need to establish communication channels. This can be done through email, instant messaging, or even video conferencing. You should also make sure that all members of your team are aware of these channels and how to use them.
Offer Incentives
Motivated workers are productive workers, and offering incentives is a great way to keep your team motivated. By offering shipping performance-based incentives, you can encourage your employees to work harder and improve their shipping times. Incentives can be monetary, like bonuses or raises, or non-monetary, like extra vacation days or gift cards.
Offering incentives is a win-win for both employer and employee. The employer gets improved shipping times, and the employee gets recognition and rewards for a job well done. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your company’s shipping performance, consider offering incentives to your employees.
Maintain The Vehicles
To ensure safety and eliminate downtime, maintaining the vehicles is essential. By maintaining the vehicles, it helps to improve shipping performance and keep the vehicles running smoothly.
A clean vehicle not only looks good, but also runs better. When the engine is clean, it will run more efficiently and produce less pollution. You should also change the fluids and filters regularly to help keep the engine clean.
It is also important to check the tire pressure and tread depth regularly. This will help improve fuel economy and prevent flats. You should also have the alignment checked periodically to prolong the life of your tires.
A shipping company is as effective as you make it, and the first thing you should do is install dashcams in the vehicles. Make sure to optimize the routes and automate the workflow with software. It’s essential that you keep an open line of communication with the fleet and offer them incentives to work harder. Finally, make sure to always maintain the vehicles.
