In this new role I have confirmed that many parcel customers do not have a firm grasp of this, and many tend to struggle keeping up with the industry. ![]() I have been challenged during my 37 years of service to my company and now as a consultant to use my skill set to advise and direct companies on the best strategies to achieve lower parcel cost and process improvements for my clients. The only ones celebrating are the stockholders. ![]() No problem, huh? Frequently, the carrier account executives scratch their heads and groan as well when these new changes are applied by Atlanta, or Memphis, so you are in good company. Understanding how your packages are effected by the carrier’s annual or semiannual changes (rate changes, DIMs, and fuel, etc.) is key to accomplishing a win in the game. Customers (the players) need to understand the dynamics of this game to lessen the cost of their parcel businesses while improving their supply chain. No slight to the ketchup and mustard guys, or the red white and blue guys, but brown and purple make the rules, own the board, and usually control outcomes. The average business day sees over 35 million new packages moving through the network. I think we can all agree for most businesses to grow, or just compete within their industry, they typically need to ship or receive a product. The key for them is to do it without you noticing! Let’s be clear, these parcel carriers with technology and vision, and especially in the wake of the Internet explosion, drove tremendous growth of commerce and wealth in the United States, made many businesses possible here and around the world, and have provided for a better life for all of us and what we come to expect in our daily lives. Similarly, the carriers play this game with one another, seeing who will blink first, implement first, gain market share, and ultimately drive revenue. It’s a game you can win you just have to know how to play it. Whether you are the shipper, consignee, third party, or even grandma shipping something during the holidays to the grandkids, you have a stake in the parcel game. This leads me to believe the feelings of chaos in the parcel industry will continue for years to come. My parcel background has been in District, Region, and Corporate/National Account Pricing ( aka “Revenue Management”), sales strategy/training, finance/accounting, supply chain analytics, and for fun, a bit of FTL/LTL forwarding sprinkled in. I have experienced, strategized, invented, and helped to implement these seemingly misunderstood procedures, contracts, services, and rate enhancements that we are faced with today. I began as a dock worker at the age of 19, drove a package car, and ultimately spent many more years wearing a management hat with many dollars at stake. I had the privilege to be a part of this (chaotic) parcel market, employed by a major carrier 37 years. One thing that has never changed in the last 37 years and will remain the same for years to come is the goal of getting a parcel from point “A” to point “B,” safely, economically, and on time. I saw so much regarding technology, instant information, international trade, changing and emerging markets, and a new group of people (both vendors and their customers) embrace these changes and try to navigate this playing field. Parcel Pro is part of the MJSA Member Protection Package, a portfolio of leading business providers offering a spectrum of best-in-class services.Thirty-seven years! Many years, flights, hotels, meetings, countries, contacts, colleagues, and, more importantly, many, many friends. The company’s risk management and shipping procedures have been proven to reduce losses.īy endorsing Parcel Pro, MJSA provides Premier Members with exclusive rates for insured transportation. Parcel Pro makes it less risky to transport high-value goods. and $100,000 to select countries and territories Loss and damage protection for commercial shipments valued up to $150,000 in the U.S. ![]()
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