Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “You will not find it difficult to prove that battles, campaigns, and even wars have been won or lost primarily because of logistics.” When such is the importance of logistics, finding the right logistics service provider is vital for businesses too.
Do you recall receiving a cold pizza on delivery or your favourite shoes ordered online and delivered in tattered condition? Even if you don’t, the delivery boy would recall your anguish post-such a delivery.
Customer satisfaction is one such parameter that can make or break a logistics company. The customer may be judging the service provider on the parameters of price, delivery, behaviour, information, correct billing, or pure convenience. Each interaction should be nothing less than a delight for the customer.
Let us decode logistics to achieve customer satisfaction in a highly competitive space.
Logistics is communication
As we soar into the Millennial times, communication is the key to customer contentment. Even if the delivery is late and the customer has been informed in advance, chances are he/she will be reasonably satisfied. A well-integrated IT system with GPS, Google Maps, and driver SIM tracking can send regular updates to the customer. If the above is not possible, a WhatsApp message or even a manual call would be well appreciated. We must make sure that the customer is well informed about the when, what, where, and how of each cargo that needs to be picked, delivered, or stored.
Logistics is speed
Communication speed is the essence of customer service in logistics. The communication leads to timely action and saves the day. The customer may have various queries, and the logistics partner should be two steps ahead in providing the answer to each such question. A misinformed or silent logistics partner is better left in the graveyard than invited over for tea.
Logistics is safety
Although information may have been shared on time, one can never appreciate a damaged delivery. OTIF (On Time in Full) delivery is critical for logistics success. This demands careful handling, packing, storage, and cross-docking while handling each piece of cargo entrusted to the service provider. Safety standards are best kept intact with regular training and audits of the processes.
Logistics equals truth
If you were expecting the truck driver to give you the correct information on the whereabouts of your cargo, you may have travelled back to the 19th Century. Make sure tech is deployed without delay to enhance visibility of correct information without manual intervention. As logistics has layers of service providers, managing your cargo from truck drivers to truck suppliers, transporters to shipping and warehousing agencies, an Integrated Transport Management System (TMS) is ideal to ease your anxiety. This will allow a seamless flow of accurate information along with the seamless movement of your cargo too.
Logistics is cost
The cost of logistics in India is 14n percent of GDP, compared to 8–11 percent in developing countries. This makes logistics very expensive in India. A well-experienced logistics service provider can and should offer tweaks to the supply chain in order to reduce the landed cost of logistics for the customer. It could be using a different type of truck or changing your product packaging to optimize the weight and volume ratio of the truck. This, in turn, promotes them as a provider of logistics solutions. In order to achieve the above, the customers also need to extend a hand of partnership to the service provider. A healthy and open discussion will be fruitful for both organizations.