Whether you plan to hire or are already in a partnership with a logistics company, it is vital to know how to manage your working relationship with them because knowing what to do will help you get the most out of their lorry transport and other services.
The customers purchasing from your ecommerce store all want one thing – to receive their orders in pristine condition within a reasonable timeline much faster than before. This is why it is important to work on your partnership with your third-party logistics (3PL) company. They should add value to your business, not do harm to it.
This is why you should always be careful and meticulous when liaising with your 3PL provider. Note that the results you achieve are dependent on the amount of effort you put in. Here’s how you can maximise your partnership with a 3PL provider.
Even though quality comes with a price, you should never sacrifice quality for affordability. If you do, you are only risking your business, and you may lose your customers’ trust if they experience poor delivery as a result.
This is why you should always evaluate your options and opt for a 3PL provider that is most value for money – an inexpensive and professional service with excellent customer service.
Being open about your business goals doesn’t mean revealing every business strategy you have. It means letting the third party logistics provider know about your logistical needs. Doing so will allow them to work on complementing your business goals and match them with their own long-term vision.
Ideally, you should do this before officially partnering with them so you could still weigh the pros and cons and learn more about establishing a good working relationship together.
Every organisation works differently and there will surely be a difference in work culture and work processes. Despite this, it is important to match the 3PL provider’s work culture to your company to ensure a smooth and pleasant working relationship. Even if disputes do arise, having similar goals and work ideals allow both parties to work things out and resolve problems quickly.
Moreover, having the same culture can compliment your brand image, and that would help your customers trust your brand more.
No matter how much of a workaholic you are, you shouldn’t handle all your tasks alone. Working with a third party logistics provider is the best way to offload the burden on your shoulders.
Once you’ve established a contract between you and your provider, you should assign someone within your organisation to handle all the liaising. Doing so not only relieves you of unwanted stress, but also takes away the burden of having to monitor everything yourself.
When assigning an OIC, they should possess these qualities
Once an OIC is appointed, make sure they establish relationships with several people within the 3PL logistics company, things get processed quicker and problems are easily resolved when you have the right connections.
Forming a partnership with a 3PL provider shouldn’t be a one-way relationship. You have to do your part well so that they can do theirs, too. That is the only way to get the most out of their lorry transport and other services.
For tailored warehousing services in Malaysia that can meet your expectations, contact Hock Cheong. With a team of skilful and experienced staff, you can rest assured that they will be able to satisfy your logistical needs.
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