If your business wants to build strong relationships with customers and suppliers, it takes more than clever marketing. It can also require a sound supply chain that you have complete confidence in to enable your customers to have full confidence in you.
If you’re not sure that you’re managing your supply chain as effectively as you could be, the following tips may prove helpful.
Use Superior Software
Managing all parts of the supply chain and your daily operations is never easy, especially if you rely on various programs and people to ensure your business runs like a well-oiled machine.
However, if you use enterprise resource planning software like Pronto ERP, for example, you may find that you can integrate many of your most important business processes in real-time for much easier management.
Be Selective with Your Suppliers
Sometimes, it’s not so much that your supply management is problematic, but your suppliers. You rely on them to provide you with the correct products so that you can be confident selling them to your customers.
If you’re not receiving what you ordered, or there are issues with pricing, shipping, or deadlines, this can have a negative impact on the level of customer service you’re able to provide. Instead of signing a contract with the first company that can offer what you need, shop around.
Ask for recommendations where possible, and find out as much as you can about each supplier you plan on using.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
One of the many benefits of supply chain management software is being able to have complete control over each business process and where it’s currently sitting. However, it’s also essential to have open and honest communication with every person in that supply chain.
For example, you might have a go-to person at your supplier’s company and an employee at your own company whom you rely on to manage your end of the deal. When anything changes, make a point of ensuring everyone’s in the loop.
Have More Than One Supplier
Loyalty is a significant part of any business, and you want to be loyal to the suppliers who provide you with goods regularly. Though, in the event of an emergency or a supply shortage, you may not be able to access the products you need from your preferred supplier. Having a second supplier that you rely on for the same products may allow you to manage your supply chain effectively.
Try to ensure that the products you receive from both suppliers are identical to suit your customer’s needs. Otherwise, you may find that some of your online customers are purchasing products from imagery that may not accurately represent what they receive in the mail. Also, be sure to check that all of your vendors have adequate security measures in place to protect the entire supply chain from third-party attacks.
Have Confidence in Your Ordering System
There are few things as frustrating as ordering too much or not enough of something because of an issue in your ordering system. It might have experienced a glitch when you hit the order button or failed to connect to your supplier’s system, and your order wasn’t received. If you’ve lost faith in the technology you have or it’s simply getting old, it might be time to consider an upgrade.
No business supply chain is perfect, and you’ll likely have regular problems to solve. However, when you have superior software to manage your daily processes and an excellent working relationship with your suppliers, you should find yourself facing fewer problems than you thought possible.