Operational Assessments
Operations is where the rubber hits the road in most businesses, both literally and figuratively. Unfortunately, most operations personnel don’t have good systems and controls that guide them but are rather guided by people reacting and making judgements. You do not want to be people centric but systems and controls centric. Certainly keeping the trains running on-time and the client happy is a priority of course but how your business achieves that goal is a matter of perspective. JTB would ask you and your team to consider the items below and do you have a formal process that addresses and supports how you handle your clients freight.
I can help assess:
Fleet Compliance
Regardless of if you run a W-2 model or an Independent Contractor (IC) model, knowing who and how your clients freight moves is important. It does not matter if you utilize cars; vans; trucks or tractors you should want to partner with knowledgeable; competent and dependable people. As the equipment increases in size the oversight process becomes more onerous for the Carrier/Broker. Remember that your family and friends drive the same roads as your drivers and if something happens, well you and your team can certainly put solid people and equipment on the road. Someone's life or livelihood just may depend on our choices. JTB Logistics would welcome the chance to help you put together a Fleet Management and Compliance Program.
Route Analysis
How often does your team review how the freight you're delivering is routed? It’s not uncommon for the team to evaluate new business or routes if business is shed but not as much attention is given in between those two events. Understanding what routes have cube to sell into or could possibly be rerouted to eliminate routes should be examined regularly. Let JTB Logistics help analyze your routing today and see if we can’t improve your profitability.
Service Compatibility
Not all product types fit together well (on-demand and home delivery, air freight, pharmaceutical delivery, etc.) on the same route. What warehouse cross dock requirements are necessary and do they cause any conflicts? Bottomline is how does each vertical you service impact any of the other verticals? JTB Logistics can help measure the complexion of your whole book of business and how well it aligns together.
Resource Utilization
Do you have multiple routes that are not full? Are you using a piece of equipment that’s too small or too large for the route it’s on? Do you have a process to regularly review the balance of equipment and ensure that you have the right balance to handle a ramp up or down in business? JTB can help you assess if you have the right equipment balance for your current and future workload.
Facility Management & Rationalization
How and when do you look for more space or less space? While you don’t want to lease or purchase more space than you need, you also want to grow and how much is too much space?
Do you lease through a big national lessor like CBRE or Cushman & Wakefield or a local provider of space? How do you negotiate for landlord improvements; abated rent or an escape clause based on business loss. JTB has spent 30 plus years negotiating the right deal that allows flex and bend for the best dollar value, let us help you with your next move.
Dispatch Models
Xcelerator, CXT, Courier Complete, and Datatrac all help Courier and Freight Carriers manage their deliveries and in some instances their A/R’s & A/P’s. JTB Logistics can help you and your team choose the right provider or tailor your existing system to your specific needs. Having transparency and a clear understanding of what your team is handling and all the specifics can be the differentiator between you and your competition.
Give me a call
If you have more questions about strategic planning or another way I can help your business, give me a call.