3 Common Shipping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |common shipping mistakes |3 Common Shipping Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemDid you know that UPS and FedEx each ship around 34 million packages each day?

If you’re looking to ship a package, you need to focus on how you can avoid certain kinds of shipping mistakes. If you don’t do this, your package might experience some kind of damage while it’s in transit.

Below you’ll discover three common shipping mistakes that people tend to make. If you avoid these shipping mistakes, your packages should arrive safely at your chosen destination.

Let’s begin!

1. Not Paying for the Right Kind of Shipping

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not paying for the right kind of shipping.

Most of the time, this happens because people are trying to save money. However, in some cases, trying to lower the cost of shipping can often lead to an increase in overall costs.

That’s because the item you’re shipping might ‘break’ due to the fact that you didn’t select the correct form of shipping.

In some cases, you might select the wrong kind of shipping, simply because you don’t know much about shipping. For instance, if you’re looking to ship a painting, you might use a ‘standard’ form of shipping.

Yet, in situations like this, couriers actually offer a dedicated form of shipping for those that want to ship paintings. If you use such shipping, your painting will receive special treatment, and this will lower the odds of it being damaged during transit.

Following this, always make sure you speak to your chosen courier company before you ship a given item. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of shipping is right for your chosen item, and this will then help you minimize any issues.

2. Not Packaging Your Items Properly

A lot of people don’t know how to pack items properly, and so their packages often experience an excessive amount of damage during transit.

If you want to package your items properly, you should use some bubble wrap, or even ‘packing peanuts.’ You might also want to invest in a high-quality box that will be able to withstand lots of bumps and scrapes.

3. Not Focusing on Presentation

Another thing that people forget about when it comes to shipping is presentation.

This is especially important if you’re shipping out items as a business, as your packaging can have a big impact on how people perceive you.

If you want your packages to look good, you might want to hire someone to help you with the package design. You should also think about coating your packages so the design doesn’t fade while the item is in transit.

If you’re going to coat your packages, you can generally choose from aqueous coating or UV coating. If you’d like to learn more about each option, this post takes a closer look at UV coating vs aqueous coating.

Will You Avoid These Common Shipping Mistakes?

If you avoid these common shipping mistakes, your package should arrive safely at your chosen destination.

In some cases, you might still experience shipping problems, even though you’re doing everything right. This can happen if you’re working with a lackluster courier, and so if you’re in this position, you might want to work with someone else.

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What Is POS Software and Why Is It Important?

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article | What Is POS Software and Why Is It Important?The global POS software market was $12.23 billion in 2018. The market is expected to grow by a CAGR of 15.1% within the next seven years.

A point-of-sale system can transform your business by providing a comprehensive solution to everyday issues. If you’ve been dealing with human errors, unrecorded sales, and faulty inventories, POS software can help.

So, what is POS software, and why do you need it in your business? Here’s is our detailed guide on the point of sale software (POS) and its importance.

What Is POS Software?

Point-of-Sale software is the system eCommerce and brick-and-mortar stores use to execute sales. To understand POS better, you can consider it as an advanced cash register that gets combined with a computer. It allows cashiers to input customer orders and tally the involved costs, even before consummating the final financial transaction.

A POS system can incorporate other systems or software like the eCommerce platforms and accounting apps to expand the capability and flexibility of a business. As such, the POS software definition revolves around its primary purpose, which is processing sales.

POS software does more than sales processing. Here are some of the roles played by the POS system software:

  • Customer data management
  • Analytics
  • Inventory tracking
  • Sales monitoring and reporting
  • Employee management
  • Robust integrations
  • Mobile connectivity

On top of different roles, there are different types of POS software, too. Read more on that below.

Types of POS Software

POS software is in two types: cloud-based and on-premise. For the on-premise POS system, you need to be within the location if you want to use it. Terminals are the leading on-premise POS.

With cloud-based POS, you’re assured of flexibility as it allows you to use any compatible and connected devices for easy access to the dashboard. This system is preferable as it will enable you to execute sales and check your business even when you are miles away.

Some other types of POS system software that fall within the category include:

Mobile POS

A mobile POS can be used in-store or outside a shop. It manages and processes payments besides having other functions that include inventory tracking. The mobile POS is ideal for small businesses or sole entrepreneurs due to its affordability, ease of operation, and setup.

Desktop

A POS system running on a desktop is an on-premise solution, often in a checkout station. If you go for the best hardware version, the desktop POS will prove reliable and robust. However, it’s quite bulky, and you can’t move around with it.

Open Source POS

Open-source software allows businesses to create custom solutions using their source code. Business owners can create the open-source POS system with external contributors, or internally. This type of POS system software is ideal for companies that have a variety of technical resources.

POS Apps

POS Apps can work with any compatible devices or hardware for easy access to data and management of business operations. POS apps are best for a business that want customizability and flexibility.

Multichannel POS

A multichannel POS integrates with several commerce channels, which is one of its most sought-after capabilities. The channels are usually the third-party online marketplace, your website, pop-up shops, stores, wholesale, event sale, and many other channels. This POS is best for eCommerce merchants selling in-person or the multichannel online brands.

Why Is POS Software Important?

If you’ve been asking ‘what is POS system,’ there you have it. So, why is POS software essential for business owners? Here are some of the benefits you stand to enjoy if you have the best POS software:

Time-Saving

Your POS system keeps track of the movement of goods within and outside the store. The system will keep you updated on your stock. It further submits relevant orders to suppliers when you’re almost running out of inventory.

POS software also makes it easier to retrieve information about a particular product. You’ll reduce the waiting time, which is a plus in customer service.

Employee Management

On average, the cost of losing a worker to turnover is about 33 percent of an employee’s compensation. It is crucial to embrace tools that improve how you relate to your team. POS software is a managerial tool that can help in establishing the right reward criteria.

Consequently, your workers will be more enthusiastic and effective. Customer service will improve, and the sales will rise. If you’re looking for a tool that will be a resource in your employee management, consider the point-of-sale software.

Avert Mistakes

The entire system will be automatically updated if you make price changes. You don’t have to worry about inconsistencies as everything will be the same across the platform. With POS, it will be hard to contest with customers over inaccurate pricing.

Sales Report

POS software gives you an overview of your business processes as it keeps a cashflow record. If you need data on any product, you’ll find it effortlessly. The POS system saves crucial information about your company’s financial status, sales, and inventory.

With such data, it easy to have a realistic short-term budget. You can also make several predictions based on the reports.

Reduced Thefts

Theft from either customers or employees is one of the main concerns of retail stores. The POS system gives you control of your products. Strong tracking of items hinders common theft.

Invest in POS Software and Watch Your Business Thrive

Improving the sales process is a dream for many business owners. Despite embracing several tools to increase efficiency, many people are not familiar with POS. So, what is POS software in a nutshell?

POS software is a central component for businesses. The benefits of POS software are irresistible. From increasing the efficiency of processes to improving customer service, you need to get the best POS software for your company.

Our blog is all about businesses. Keep exploring for a range of articles on marketing, strategy, management, and execution, among other business-related topics.

How to Choose the Right ERP Software for Your Business

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |erp software|How to Choose the Right ERP Software for Your BusinessERP software made its debut in the ’90s, and in its 30 years in the business world, it has proven its worth. Now it’s no longer a question of if ERP software can help your business, it’s how to find the best ERP software in 2020.

ERP software can be what your business needs to finally make changes that can help you improve and grow. It can be a powerful tool, but it’ll only work if you know how to choose the right software for your business.

Do you want to know to find the best 2020 ERP software? Follow our 4 tips and you’ll be sure to find a powerful software system that can help your business.

1. Consider Current Tech Needs

Do a little digging to see what kind of operating systems and machines people use at work. Be sure to be thorough and check each department, it’s possible that some equipment may be newer or older depending on who is using it.

If you’ve been holding off on making any major changes to your hardware or computing systems, consider making changes before you decided to go with a certain kind of ERP.

Buying software that won’t work with current systems is one of the worst financial mistakes businesses can make. Be safe and make sure you buy something that can work with your current set up.

2. Think About Desired Outcomes

ERP software has been used to improve a variety of business operations. If you want to make sure that you find the right software for your business needs, think about the goals you want the software to help you reach.

ERP software leads can help your business improve sales. Certain ERP programs can help you better manage HR, or even your finance department.

Take some time to talk to different managers and employees to see what they think needs to improve at work. Getting their feedback can make it easier to think about what capabilities your new software needs to have.

3. Don’t Always Go for Customized Options

Nearly every ERP sales representative you’ll talk to will mention all of the ways you can customize their software. Having a completely custom ERP system may seem impressive, but it may not be something your business needs.

Custom ERP software can be more expensive and can also take more time to set up. Troubleshooting completely custom systems can be difficult and more time-consuming.

Unless your business has a very niche need to meet that can only be done with a customized system, it’s okay to go with a turn-key solution you can use right out of the box.

4. Ask for References

You wouldn’t bring on a new employee without solid references. So you shouldn’t use ERP software that lacks great reviews.
When you’re talking to your ERP sales representative be sure to ask for reviews from other clients or case studies. Any ERP software that’s worth using should have plenty of evidence to back up claims.

Also, this is a great opportunity to tap your personal professional network. People in the same industry may have some recommendations for ERP software that helped their business.

ERP Software and More

Finding the right ERP software is simple when you know what to look for. If you follow the tips in this post you’ll be well on your way to finding a software solution that works for your business.

Do you want to learn other ways to improve ROI? We have a lot of helpful content on our site for business owners. Browse the rest of our content to learn more about topics you care about.

Five ways you can get products to customers

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Distribute your product|Five ways you can get products to customersSo you have a product to sell. It’s ready to go, and you may have already started to market it – but how do you get it to customers and how can you make it available to others? If you’re setting up a business for the first time, then it can be a daunting and complicated stage as you work out what’s best for you and your brand.

There are many different ways you can distribute and deliver your new product range to potential buyers. You may be familiar with these already, so take a look at the options below to see which will be the most suitable for your company, product and business model:

Through wholesalers

A wholesaler will distribute your product to retailers. It means that you can get your product into more stores than you may do on your own and, although you may be charged a higher commission, your shipping and sales costs will be reduced. There are other benefits you may find using this method, too, such as having a contract so the wholesaler handles retailer returns and complaints rather than yourself.

With retailers

You may need to look at several different costs here, such as hiring sales representatives to speak to and service retailers. Your representatives will also need to deal with commission, potential sales volumes from different retailers, markdowns you may offer, plus support provision. Other costs may include expenses, salaries and shipping.

Direct to customers

Although this method will add some expenses, it also eliminates others, such as commissions or discounts. Yet you may add the expenses associated with running a physical store, or increased staff time for selling items online, plus shipping costs. You may also have increased technology costs which could include items to help you package your items such as a Heat Sealing Machine, for instance, so you can send your products to customers.

Using brokers and agents

Here, you’ll have someone who will handle the logistics of sales. Not only will they deal with marketing, they will also do contracts and look at specialised shipments. Customer relationship management is also part of their role, and they will take ownership of the product through distribution on your behalf.

Through a distributor

This type of wholesaler will have extra responsibility, as they will actively sell an item for you as well as fulfilling any orders. You’ll also find that they can offer market analysis, and will look to get peak sales performance by looking for new opportunities. They will focus on certain areas so they can build strong relationships with manufacturers and, unlike other wholesalers, a distributor is more likely to have stronger links with certain organisations. They will be responsible for product sales.

These are a few of the options that you may wish to consider for you and your product when looking to sell it to consumers. You should now think about which of these possibilities will work best for your situation so you can achieve the best result for your range, and please your customers.

Five Things to Consider When Choosing New Suppliers

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Supplier Choices|Five Things to Consider When Choosing New SuppliersOne of the most important decisions that you can make in your business is who will supply the parts or materials that you need for your products. Your supplier choices have a direct impact on the success of your business and without a good relationship with yours, you’re going to have fewer sales and this results in a poor service. In fact, the worst case scenario here is that you could end up with a failed business – all because you didn’t choose wisely when linking with new suppliers.

If you are searching for butterfly valves and need a supplier, you need to take some things into account. These options can be said for pretty much any product or piece you are looking for. The right supplier is going to make a huge difference to the way that you work, so here are five things that you should be considering right now.

  1. Cost. The very first thing that you would need to factor in is the cost of a supplier. You don’t want to choose someone JUST based on cost, but you do need to stick to your budget and find the best supplier that fits. Once you have a figure in mind, you can choose the products that will fit the costs you are willing to pay.
  2. Quality. Another priority here is to know the quality of the product you are looking at. The better the quality, the more you will be willing to liaise with that supplier. Know that your expectations are going to be met and that the quality goes beyond the product itself, but the supplier, too.
  3. Reliability. You need to know that the supplier you are paying is reliable and can give you what you need. You need references, and you need to know that they are going to live up to expectations. The suppliers that you choose will reflect on your business, and if you’re not choosing the right one, it’s going to make you look bad. Don’t forget this in your quest for the right people!
  4. Culture. Not only do you need a supplier who will meet your expectations, but you need to be the kind of customer who holds their end of the deal. You will likely have a supplier ask you as many questions as you’re going to ask them – so make sure that you are prepared.
  5. Location. You need to be close by to suppliers if you want to make sure that you are all on the same page. Sure, you can choose to have a supplier that sends you products from abroad, but this isn’t easy. You want to be able to meet them face to face and know them as people as well as a supplier who sends you the materials that you need. Finding the supplier you need in the right location is a must!

Sourcing your supplier may take time, but it’s 100% worth it going forward in your business. Ask your questions and be prepared for a fruitful relationship!