Assessing Carrier Partnerships

𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁: You only check the financial health of new customers. 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Conducting thorough financial health checks on both customers and logistics partners. It's common practice to vet new customers for financial stability, but extending this diligence to your carriers and logistics partners? That's a strategy needing refinement and specificity. Let's dissect the approach using a detailed, step-by-step method to ensure our supply chain's resilience isn't just about immediate gains but long-term sustainability and trust. → 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 Step 1: Evaluate your current vetting process. How deep does it go for new customers? Is it merely surface-level, or does it thoroughly assess long-term viability? Step 2: Extend the process. Consider the financial health, payment practices, and sustainability initiatives of your carriers and logistics partners. They're as crucial as the customers. Step 3: Develop specific criteria for this extended vetting. What makes a financially healthy partner? Is it just about solvency, or do we also consider growth potential and ethical practices? Step 4: Implement and refine. With your new criteria, revisit existing partnerships and apply the same rigor to new ones. Keep iterating based on outcomes and insights gained. → 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Financial stability isn't a static attribute; it's dynamic, influenced by market trends, managerial decisions, and even geopolitical events. Regular checks keep surprises at bay. Synergy in financial health and ethical practices enhances brand value, attracting more partnerships and customer loyalty. It's an ecosystem, where every part matters. → 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 Document your enhanced vetting process. Communicate the criteria and reasoning to your team, ensuring alignment. Schedule regular reviews for all partners, not just the new ones. Use technology and third-party services to aid in comprehensive financial analysis. Remember, a supply chain fortified with financially robust and ethically aligned partners isn't just about avoiding risk; it's about creating a network that's resilient, reliable, and respected. This is beyond basic due diligence—it's strategic excellence. Dive deeper into your partnerships, challenge the status quo, and let's steer our logistics networks towards unwavering stability and unparalleled trust. You can transcend traditional boundaries, paving the way for a logistics and supply chain ecosystem that thrives on mutual success and long-term sustainability.

Are you someone who gets tackled by logistics sales cold calls day in and day out⁉️ Are you looking for some advice on how to better navigate those calls without completely losing out on a possible strong carrier or logistics partner in your future⁉️ Here’s some quick pointers: When you're selecting carriers and logistics providers, the questions you ask can be more powerful than any statement they make. Statements from providers often tell you what they want you to hear, but your questions reveal what you truly need to know. Instead of just listening to pitches about why one provider is "the best," dig deeper with questions like, 🔷Can you provide examples of how you've handled similar shipments to ours? —> This question helps you understand their experience with your specific needs and challenges. 🔷What technology do you use to ensure visibility and tracking throughout the supply chain? —> Insight into their tech capabilities will show how well they can keep you informed and manage logistics efficiently. 🔷How do you scale your services to accommodate seasonal fluctuations or sudden demand spikes? —> This digs into their flexibility and capacity to support your business as it grows or during peak periods. 🔷What measures do you take to ensure compliance with industry regulations? —> Understanding their commitment to compliance reduces your risk and assures you of their reliability. 🔷How do you approach sustainability in your operations? —> If sustainability is important to your business, this question will help you assess how well the provider aligns with your values. 🔷Can you walk me through your process for resolving issues or disputes? —> This gives insight into their problem-solving approach and customer service standards. This approach uncovers real insights and separates those who talk a good game from those who can actually deliver. The right questions lead to better decisions, ensuring you're partnering with providers who align with your priorities and can meet your logistics needs. #womeninlogistics #womeninsupplychain #tackle #football #NFL #workingmom

🚛 📊 Carrier scorecards are the cornerstone of measuring and improving transportation performance. They provide shippers and brokers with the data they need to make informed decisions about carrier partnerships and ensure reliable service. A Carrier Scorecard evaluates a carrier's performance based on key metrics such as On-Time Delivery (OTD), On-Time Invoicing (OTI), responsiveness, and claims ratios. This data helps freight brokers and shippers assess how well their carriers are meeting expectations, identify areas for improvement, and make decisions on which carriers to work with. How scorecards help brokers: 1. Build Trust: Clear, measurable data fosters transparency, helping brokers, shippers, and carriers build trust and strengthen their relationships. Sharing performance data allows carriers to see where they’re excelling and where they need to improve, which drives better performance on both sides. 2. Optimize Cost vs. Service: Brokerages often have to balance cost constraints with service expectations. Carrier scorecards help brokers evaluate whether it’s worth spending a little extra to work with a high-performing carrier who consistently meets deadlines or if they need to address poor performance to avoid delays. 3. Increase ROI: By identifying top-performing carriers, brokers can direct more loads their way, maximizing efficiency and reducing disruptions. When brokers have accurate performance data, they can make smarter decisions about who to partner with—ultimately leading to better service and greater profitability. 4. Gain Visibility: The deeper insights provided by carrier scorecards allow brokers to understand their supply chain’s weak spots. They can identify where delays or inefficiencies are occurring—whether it's on-time delivery issues, poor communication, or tender rejections—and take action to correct them. Current Challenges with Carrier Scorecards While carrier scorecards can unlock tremendous value, they are not without their challenges. The process is often manual, time-consuming, and prone to inconsistency. Here are some common pitfalls: 1. Data Silos: Freight brokers often work with multiple systems and spreadsheets to gather carrier data, leading to incomplete or inconsistent information. This fragmented data can make it difficult to accurately assess carrier performance. 2. Inconsistent Criteria: Scorecard criteria can vary from carrier to carrier, and shipper to shipper, which makes it hard to maintain a standardized process across the board. This can also make it challenging for brokers to compare performance consistently. 3. Limited Automation: Many brokers still rely on manual processes to track and calculate scorecard metrics, which can lead to delays in data reporting and slower decision-making. What changes do you want to see in scorecards?👇

Parcel carrier partnerships are evolving faster than many expected, driven by shifting volumes, dynamic rate structures, and better carrier alternatives, and rising customer sophistication / tolerance for operational complexity. For high-volume shippers, the ability to pivot quickly can make a real difference in costs and service levels. Looking ahead, here’s where we see parcel collaborations heading: • Data-first strategies. Shippers and carriers are swapping more information than ever. Sharing real-time metrics on volume, weight, and delivery zones uncovers opportunities to refine routes and reduce surcharges.  • Blended carrier networks. Relying on a single provider can leave you vulnerable to rising fees or service delays. Supplementing UPS and FedEx with regional or specialized carriers helps you stay agile.  • Tailored packaging. Carriers often reward tighter, well-protected parcels with fewer damage claims and more predictable rates. Investing in sturdier materials and consistent box sizes cuts unwanted surprises.  • Sustainability considerations. Carriers want lower emissions, and many now factor eco-friendly practices into pricing. Greener routes, reduced packaging, and carbon offsets can influence partnership terms.  Keep an open line of communication with your carrier reps. They’re often the first to know about upcoming changes or surcharges. A proactive conversation might uncover unexpected savings or new services that align with your business goals. What steps are you taking to future-proof your carrier relationships? A little planning goes a long way in staying competitive. #ParcelShipping #Logistics #SupplyChain #UPS #FedEx #Ecommerce #Transportation #BusinessInsights #CarrierPartnerships