Shipping Mistakes Commonly Made by Small Businesses

Published on: 14 May 2021 Last Updated on: 02 January 2025

Many small businesses are heavily based on shipping products to clients. As any proprietor of such an enterprise can attest, there are numerous factors for shipping-based small businesses to take into account. The type of merchandise being shipped, desired delivery windows, and shipping partner qualifications are just a few of the things these businesses have to regularly consider. As is the case with any business built around shipping, there are a number of seemingly minor errors that can result in client displeasure and loss of repeat patronage. So, if your enterprise is looking for effective ways to ensure client satisfaction, take care to avoid the following blunders.

Working with Unreliable Shipping Partners

When your small business is built around shipping, placing your trust in unreliable shipping partners is just about the worst thing you can do. In fairness, every shipping company is guaranteed to make the occasional blunder, but if damaged items, lost shipments or missed delivery windows are regular occurrences, you’d do well to take your business elsewhere. Any mistakes made by your shipping partners are liable to be visited upon you. When a client receives a damaged shipment or a shipment arrives well past its projected delivery date, most clients are going to expect answers from you, not the shipping company – even if the error in question is explicitly their fault.

In the interest of avoiding such uncomfortable situations and ensuring client satisfaction, avoid working with shipping partners who have routinely proven themselves undeserving of your trust. Even if you have a longstanding relationship with specific partners, don’t be afraid to take your business elsewhere if their lack of professionalism has negatively impacted your financial bottom line. When searching for shipping partners you can trust, look for companies that possess solid reputations and are experienced in handling the types of items your enterprise specializes in.

Making Promises That Can’t Be Kept

Overpromising is never a good idea – be it in business or any other area of life. Promising more than you can deliver is practically guaranteed to result in dashed expectations, which can quickly destroy even the most robust of professional relationships. Unfortunately, when making a play for new clients, many small business owners won’t hesitate to promise the moon if it means winning over new patrons. While overpromising may seem like a sound strategy at the moment, it almost never pays off long-term.

To avoid the undesirable consequences associated with overpromising, never commit to delivery timelines you know you and your shipping partners can’t meet. Doing so may entice a few new clients, but these individuals are unlikely to become repeat customers when you invariably fail to deliver on your boasts.

Failing to Make Special Arrangements for Delicate Cargo

Depending on the types of products your small business regularly ships, some special arrangements may need to be made. For instance, certain items – i.e., food – are highly sensitive to warm temperatures. As such, items of this type often need to be placed in specialized shipping containers and/or protected by cooling packs. To ensure that you, your clients, and shipping partners have a solid idea of the kinds of temperatures a shipment has endured throughout its journey, employ the aid of a good temperature indicator.

Similarly, if any of the items you ship are exceptionally fragile in nature, impact, and shock recorders are likely to prove a worthwhile investment. As the name suggests, these helpful tools serve to provide a detailed accounting of the various impacts and shocks a shipment experiences while en route to its destination. Keep in mind that the fewer precautions you take with delicate cargo, the more likely it is to incur damage or become outright broken while in transit. Needless to say, failure to make special arrangements for such items commonly draws the ire of any clients who receive damaged shipments.

When your business is built around shipping products to assorted clients, mistakes should be few and far between. Even if certain blunders aren’t explicitly the fault of your enterprise, many clients will expect you to bear the brunt of the responsibility. While expecting to never make mistakes is unrealistic, there are a number of simple steps you can take to minimize them. If you want to keep clients happy and coming back for the foreseeable future, steer clear of the blunders discussed above.

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Job Security In The Age Of Automation: What To Expect

Automation has been a source of concern for centuries. Starting from the 16th-century mechanization of stockings production to the 19th-century industrial revolution that led to the UK’s textile riots. From the late 20th-century automation of car manufacturing to the 21st century, worries that Artificial Intelligence will eventually take up our jobs. Job security is an issue that brings forth conflict among manual laborers, resulting from the automation of repetitive manual tasks. Automation has replaced many jobs over the years but has also given rise to other specializations in industries. Major manufacturers have employed robots to level with consumer demands. This is because they are efficient and fast in task completion. All the while playing a massive role in keeping these businesses highly competitive. To provide a clear understanding of the impact automation has had in industries, let’s dive deeper into the jobs’ technicalities. Automation By Job Type Robots execute blue-collar jobs faster and more efficiently than the human workforce, an effect that has highly optimized the production process. However, jobs requiring intuition and creativity, such as product design, and artistry require empathy, making them reserved for the human workforce. The human workforce also retains jobs that appreciate soft skills, such as effective communication, collaboration, leadership, and a problem-solving mindset. That being an overview of the automation effect, let’s dive deeper into factory-related jobs and how automation has affected them. Creative Jobs These jobs require a human eye and mind and combine procedural tasking with intuition in their execution. While proper product design does require a certain level of technical know-how, it also asks for a deeper understanding of why people like the look and feel of these products. In manufacturing industries, designing products may require a focus on the technical application of the product and cater to these matters. An API valve manufacturer, for example, may decide to automate the production of the product. However, to tailor for customers that care for factory aesthetics, they require a human understanding of the design process. Automation can play a role in tasks such as drawing, 3D printing, and data analysis. These artistic job descriptions probably have a higher sense of security than others. Technical Jobs Following product design is the manufacturing process involving technical activities such as assembling parts to come up with a wholesome product. A car manufacturing factory may implement robotic arms, each responsible for joining parts of a vehicle together, working with more efficiency and speed than a human. After putting together the product, there is a proper packaging requirement in preparation for shipping. A robot performs packaging tasks as they are repetitive and technical. The packaging process does not engage in human creativity; thus, automation is probably the better option for such work. However, in other industries such as food processing, products’ packaging may require customization. A process requiring making phone calls, listening to ideas, and making constant changes to the product’s packaging. We employ automation for the job’s technical and repetitive parts; however, to understand human needs, a human being is needed. Transportation of the products to the expected locations is the final process in manufacturing. We can automate the package addressing systems in preparation for transport. Soon, however, there is a possibility that autonomous vehicles will replace transport drivers. Currently, smaller package delivery companies employ drones in some parts of the world. Leadership And Collaborative Jobs Top managerial job descriptions have the least possibility of automation because they require effective coordination, communication, and decision-making. These professionals employ a combination of technical know-how, emotional intelligence, and in some, risk-taking– we cannot reach a balance through automation. Automation cannot replace these individuals, partially because they might resist losing their jobs since they decide which tasks to automate and which not to automate. The Solution To The Conflict The fear that automation will eventually take up all jobs exists. To keep the conversation healthy, positive, and practical, we need to educate the masses on what automation means. Including the types of jobs it can take over. The first step towards education is learning, learning fear, and learning communication strategies. Understanding communication techniques will ensure that proper education occurs. The second step is the actual training of professionals. This involves educating employees in preparation for the jobs they are to transition to during automation. However, it is essential to note that automating the training process might result in a larger conflict. Partially because we know that resolutions cannot be sufficient when executed by who causes the conflict. The third step is to ensure regular training occurs by providing relevant and up-to-date information and training materials. At first, individuals will be reluctant to change job descriptions, which we can resolve through the previously discussed process. Factory Jobs That Cannot Be Replaced Although automation has taken over many factory jobs, some still require human beings' special skills. Here are a few such jobs that machines can’t completely do for now. Quality Check Inspector Robots can be programmed to do certain things, but when it comes to catching a small defect or making sure that the product is of the quality you’re looking for, people are much better at it. A quality control inspector uses their experience, intuition and good old fashion “look closely” to make sure that every single product is perfect. A machine can see if there is clearly something wrong with a product but won’t catch everything. If you had automated inspections in place, and you were shipping out luxury products; and something goes wrong. This is where human intervention becomes important. Let’s say there was hardly a speck of dust on your pet hair remover (obviously checked by a robot). Then, suddenly, there was one review on Amazon where someone said they found one pet hair caught in it. You’d lose all your sales because everyone would assume that now your inspection isn’t working as well as humanly possible or you just don’t care about quality anymore. This is where you should always hire a human inspector. Maintenance Technicians Robots can’t fix themselves, at least not yet! Factory machinery requires regular maintenance to function at peak performance. Maintenance technicians are skilled professionals who ensure that machines run smoothly. When something breaks down, these technicians troubleshoot the problem, perform repairs, and get everything up and running again. Automation can monitor equipment. If you want to know what is wrong with it, often, you need to use human creativity and problem-solving skills, which require knowledge that only a human has. Until robots can physically fix something, if they determine a problem, humans will always be required. Health and Safety Officers It is the most important job to ensure that employees are safe in factories. A person could develop an allergy or get their hand crushed by a machine. The fact that machines of such high risk can be worked on by robots does not mean human judgment about the needs of other humans will disappear. Custom Design And Prototyping Repetitive tasks can be automated, but human creativity is necessary for custom design and prototyping. Factories producing one-off products or prototypes on a small scale will require workers who can conceptualize and modify designs manually. This is to produce the desired result each time. As automation advances it becomes apparent that there are some jobs for which relying on human creativity, problem solving, or emotional intelligence is necessary. Therefore, as machines replace the mundane, humans will remain an integral part of factory life. Should You Be Worried? Automation and job security have been and will always conflict. However, a balance is struck each time it has happened. We currently live in a world with fear of automation from watching various films, such as The Terminator, the Transformers, and others. Some still expect to see a world like that in the movies. The reality is that we use robots to perform repetitive tasks that we have complained about for ages. Do not be fearful; instead, educate yourselves on automation. Do this with a keen eye on the jobs that seem impossible to automate. All the best. Read Also: 3 Encryption Trends and How They Make Communication More Secure Why Sensors are Essential in Machine Automation Seven Great Reasons to Use a Car Transportation Company

5 Day Trader’s Methods to Control Your Emotions While Conducting a Business

Are you a new trader struggling to control your emotions? Do you feel like you're constantly making bad decisions that cost you money? You're not alone. Many traders struggle with emotional control, especially in the beginning. In this blog post, we will discuss five tricks that can help you stay calm and how to control emotions while trading. By following these tips, you'll be able to make more informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes! Commonest Problems in Day Trading First, we would like to address the commonest emotional issues a trader can encounter when making a deal. Fear of Missing Out FOMO is probably the most difficult emotion to deal with as a trader. FOMO can lead you to make impulsive decisions that are not well thought out. When you see the market moving and you're worried about missing out on potential profits, it's important to take a step back and assess the situation before making any decisions. Greed Greed is another emotion that can be detrimental to your trading success. When you're in a trade and the market is moving in your favor, it can be tempting to hold on for more profits. However, this can often lead to giving back your gains or even losing money. It's important to take profits when they're available and not get too greedy. Anger Anger is another emotion that can lead to impulsive, irrational decisions. If you're angry at the market for moving against you, it's important to take a step back and calm down before making any decisions. Once you're in a trade, it's also important to not let your emotions affect your exit strategy. Fear of Failing Fear of falling can often lead to paralysis by analysis. You may be so afraid of making a mistake that you don't make any trades at all. This can be costly, as you miss out on potential profits. It's important to remember that everyone makes mistakes; the key is to learn from them and move on. Lack of Discipline Lack of discipline can often lead to overtrading. When you're not following a set plan or strategy, it's easy to make impulsive decisions that are not well thought out. This can lead to losses, as you're not sticking to a proven system. It's important to have a trading plan and stick to it. What Tricks Should You Use? Now, let's take a look at the tricks we've prepared for you. 1. Take Frequent Breaks One of the most important things you can do to stay calm while trading is to take frequent breaks. Sitting in front of your computer for hours on end will only increase your stress levels and make it more difficult to make rational decisions. Get up and walk around every few hours, or take a break to meditate or do some deep breathing exercises. You'll come back to your trading refreshed and with a clear head. 2. Set Realistic Expectations If you're constantly expecting to make huge profits on every trade, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. It's important to have realistic expectations when trading, as this will help you stay level-headed when things don't go according to plan. Accept that you will have losing trades, and don't beat yourself up over them. Focus on the long-term goal of becoming a profitable trader, and remember that it takes time to achieve success. 3. Create a Trading Plan Another way to stay calm and in control while trading is to create a detailed trading plan. This plan should include your entry and exit points, your stop-losses, and your profit targets. By having a plan in place, you'll know exactly what you need to do to make a successful trade. This will help to eliminate any guesswork or emotion from the equation. 4. Stick to Your Strategy Once you have a trading strategy in place, it's important to stick to it. This can be difficult, especially when you're feeling emotional about a trade. However, if you've done your research and you're confident in your strategy, trust it and don't second-guess yourself. It's also important to remember that no trading strategy is perfect, and there will always be some risk involved. 5. Manage Your Risk Finally, one of the most important things you can do to stay calm while trading is to manage your risk. This means only risking a small portion of your account on each trade, and using stop-losses to limit your losses. By managing your risk, you'll be able to stay in the game even if you have a few losing trades. In Conclusion Emotional control is essential for any trader, but it can be especially difficult for new traders to master. By following the tips in this blog post, you'll be on your way to becoming a more successful and profitable trader! Remember to take breaks, set realistic expectations, create a trading plan, stick to your strategy, and manage your risk. With these tricks, you'll be able to control your emotions and make more informed decisions while trading. Read Also: Forex Trading Wisdom: Talk Yourself Out of Bad Trades Investing and Trading 101: Investment Ideas for Newbies The Profit Revolution: The Best Bitcoin Trading And Investing Platform Passive Income And Crypto Trading: Here Is How You Can Start

Organizing an Event This Year? Here’s What You Need to Know.

We have all seen what a pandemic can do to the event industry. Not only that, but we have also seen how hard it is to organize a small gathering without breaking any laws. Depending on where you live, the laws may have been even worse than that. However, things are starting to get more relaxed in many parts of the world. We can’t guarantee the complete legality of events in your area, as we are not a law firm of any kind, but we can give you some sound advice to keep your events as much within the safety standards as possible. Venues Need to Rethink Their Communication Strategy Communication is the key to creating a seamless experience for everyone involved. And in the current context, that is more evident than ever. Venues need to lay out their entire set of rules for the event to all the guests and staff. That way, you’ll be able to ensure that everyone knows what they need to do and that there won’t be any mishap. Ensure that your message gets across well without creating panic or confusion. The last thing we need after such a long pandemic is to prolong people’s fears. Use Digital Tools to Make Everything Better We live in a world where technology is widespread. Using the internet is as easy as ever, and staying connected is stupid-simple given the fact that almost everyone carries a smartphone. Make sure to use every tool at your disposal to plan ahead of time, keep in touch with vendors, sell tickets more easily, and plan out the layout of the building for the event. From mail apps to getting insurance for special events online, you can get a lot of things done with a simple computer or smartphone connected to the web. Practice Social Distancing When Planning Out the Seating Ideally, you’ll want to leave a seat empty in every straight direction that the participant will be juxtaposed against. In short, leave one seat empty in front, in the back, and on the left and right side of each participant. Or, at the very least, leave a seat empty on their left and right, and try to distance the rows in front and back of each participant. Food and Beverages - Basic Rules If you’re going to organize a corporate event, then you’ll probably want to have a self-service buffet. That’s out of the question, unfortunately, given the current context. As long as you have a good catering service and preferably some professional waiters, you could try to organize a seated dining scenario. Alternatively, you could ask each participant what they would like to eat and order every meal in separate packaging. A more cost-saving solution would be to order pre-packed meals and keep them in the fridge until the attendees arrive. You will then place the meals on each attendee’s desk before they arrive. Handling meals carefully is a must. Ticketing Alternatives While there are bound to be people who will prefer physical tickets, we’d advise you to encourage them to grab their tickets online. Creating a purely online ticketing system saves you money, reduces the risk of spreading viruses, and greatly reduces the overall waiting time. Not only that, but it allows people to order their tickets from wherever they might be. So you won’t have to keep a physical operator at your booth and you’ll be able to sell tickets much more efficiently. Your Thoughts? If you follow our guidelines, your events should be practically safe against any virus. However, we’re curious to see if you’ve got any other suggestions to make events even safer for everyone involved. With that in mind, feel free to leave us a comment down below and share your thoughts with the rest of our community. Also, we would really appreciate it if you shared this article with your contact on social media. Thank you! Read Also: Choosing the best Photographer for your Event

Shipping Mistakes Commonly Made by Small Businesses

Working with Unreliable Shipping Partners

Making Promises That Can’t Be Kept

Failing to Make Special Arrangements for Delicate Cargo

4 Upgrades Every Modern Call Center Needs

The 5 Best Places to Sell Taxidermy Mounts

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Job Security In The Age Of Automation: What To Expect

5 Day Trader’s Methods to Control Your Emotions While Conducting a Business

Organizing an Event This Year? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Shipping Mistakes Commonly Made by Small Businesses

Working with Unreliable Shipping Partners

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Popular

Follow Us

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