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COVID-19: What this Means for Shipping Products

By | Samantha Higgins

Without a doubt, COVID-19 is causing you to change the way you do business. However, this situation does not mean that your business has to suffer.

There are steps you can take, and there are adjustments you can make. You can ensure your business survives the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are five considerations you should take when it comes to shipping products.

1. Have You Accurately Analyzed Your Needs?

If you have not taken a moment to step back and completely adapt your business plans, then you need to take some time to do this now. Since the pandemic hit your community, you might have been running ninety to nothing to try and limit the chances of your business being impacted that you have overlooked things or not been as efficient as possible. And while you must be vigilant in those efforts, you will not be successful if you are not organized.

In order to be organized and still firing on all cylinders, you need to get organized. And do not just take your word for it when looking at needs. Make sure you get feedback from your employees, your customers, business partners, and government agencies.

2. Is Your Staff Aware of New Procedures?

Failure to ensure your staff is aware of any procedures could kill your business. When it comes to your shipping, you have to consider how roles will shift and make sure your team understands how they must adapt. Staff will have new responsibilities and new pressures, so be certain you have clear procedures communicated to them.

You also need to stay on top of new procedures to ensure there are no issues. Of course, you want to keep an eye out for obvious problems. But you also need to dig deep and prevent issues from arising. Make sure you schedule more regular check-ins than you normally would. And make sure your staff is not feeling too much pressure. Remember that your team is being impacted outside of work, too.

3. Are Your Shipping Partners and Customers Aware of New Procedures?

Whether you mostly utilize air freight or land freight, you must make sure to work out any kinks. You need to work with your shipping providers to prevent chaos as much as possible. It is important that you communicate new procedures to them to minimize setbacks, and they might have new procedures, too.

You also need to make sure your customers and vendors know of new methods or anything that might change as to how you normally send and receive goods. Please be proactive about this. Your forethought will pay off. Do not wait until an issue has developed.

4. Can You Differentiate?

You must be able to differentiate between short-term and long-term setbacks. Whether you have tired employees, customers reluctant to spend, or run into restrictions pertaining to your shipping, you must know that some of your setbacks are only temporary.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, your business must maintain composure. And if you over-think the little stuff, you can fail to look at the big picture. Even if you are experiencing profit losses or dealing with distracted workers, you must stay in control of your situation and protect your investment as much as possible.

5. How Can You Minimize Profit Losses?

In order for you to minimize profit losses, you will need to market your company as much as possible. Now might be the time that you invest more in your advertising and marketing. And remember, some of those opportunities are free.

Are you using social media to its fullest extent? Do you have money that can be spent on TV ads and online ads? Your customer base likely is to use their mobile devices, laptops, and televisions more than ever. You need to not only make sure your customer base knows that your products and services are still available and relevant. You need to make sure they know your ability to ship products has not been interrupted, either.

Your Business Will Get Through This

It is important that you remember this will pass. You will get through the COVID-19 crisis. Be sure to take into account each of the suggestions above. They will help you address all areas of your business, including your shipping needs.

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