StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Protect Your Transportation Business|How to Protect Your Transportation Business

How to Protect Your Transportation Business

StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Protect Your Transportation Business|How to Protect Your Transportation BusinessRunning a transportation business presents unique challenges that are not faced by other industries. By its very nature, a transportation business rarely has all of its inventory in one place. When your assets and inventory are always on the move, security becomes an increased priority.

To be successful and to run efficiently, logistics businesses need to find ways that enable them to overcome the challenge of protecting assets when they are out on the road. Managing a fleet of vehicles and ensuring that goods are transported safely and within the designated timescales presents an extra set of issues to manage.

Many issues that are faced by transportation companies are a result of external factors that are beyond the company’s control. These external factors include problems such as traffic delays holding vehicles up and causing them to miss delivery deadlines, theft from trucks resulting in lost inventory, mechanical issues with trucks, along with driver absence, and illness. Despite these issues being outside the business’ control, they still reflect negatively on the company. Missed delivery deadlines, and damaged or lost inventory can result in damage to business relationships as well as the loss of reputation.

As there are so many factors out of the control of transportation businesses, companies must do all that they can to eliminate risks and potential issues that could impact the business. This means that action must be taken to carefully manage parts of the company that can be controlled to help protect it from external factors and ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible.

Staff

Employees are a business’s most significant asset, and the success of any business is very much in the hands of the staff that works there. Companies require teams that will perform their roles to the best of their ability, as well as staff members that are consistently productive and can be relied upon to be at work on the times and days that they should be there.

For transportation companies, finding the right staff is especially important. When employees are out on the road, you need to know that they can be trusted to carry out their job efficiently and to represent your business appropriately when dealing with clients.

Your recruitment process will need to be robust so that you can attract the right employees in the first place. Carrying out thorough pre-employment checks is vital so that you know that potential staff members are capable of carrying out their role responsibly, and can be trusted with being out on the road alone and with high-value stock on board the truck. You will need to make sure that their credentials check out, and it is also wise to get several references from past employers too.

Once you have found staff members that are right for your business, make sure that they receive in-depth training on how to perform their role, and those new employees aren’t made to get out onto the road alone before they are ready. A lack of appropriate training can lead to high staff turnover as employees that are not equipped to perform their jobs well will often experience low morale at work. Therefore, it is in your best interest as an employer to provide your recruits with high-quality training so that new staff members are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge to do the job well.

Technology

All businesses operating nowadays rely on technology to some extent. However, for a logistics company, technology is an essential tool to stay connected with drivers and keep the business operation running smoothly.

Using truck tracking software systems can completely transform the way a logistics business operates. Using the software will enable the company to keep track of their equipment and inventory no matter where it is. This kind of data is vital to the smooth running of the operation. Being able to track your vehicles and inventory means that you can manage schedules effectively, and account for all of your equipment. In the unfortunate event that a truck was stolen, you would be able to locate it immediately thanks to your tracking capabilities.

From staying up to date with the progress of your delivery schedule through to detecting unauthorized use of your vehicles, using a tracking system can help you to manage a range of potential issues as well as providing valuable insights.

StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Protect Your Transportation Business|How to Protect Your Transportation BusinessSecurity

Nowadays, businesses need to consider two areas of security when planning how to protect their companies best. Cybersecurity and the risk of data breaches make protecting computer systems a high priority for many businesses. However, physical security should never be overlooked.

Small businesses, in particular, are often targeted by cybercriminals. This is because many small businesses fail to make cybersecurity a high priority, and are then left vulnerable to hackers. Ensuring that your company data is protected is vital. Otherwise, you are at risk of exposing both your client’s information and sensitive business information too.

Keeping your systems up to date with the latest security software to protect them from viruses can help. However, to further minimize the chances of a data breach, it is crucial to train your staff so that they can also help prevent data breaches from happening. Data breaches often occur as a result of human error. Make sure that everyone is aware that they shouldn’t share passwords, and should only have access to systems that they need to use. Staff should also take care not to click open suspicious emails, as these could potentially be phishing attacks.

Along with staying vigilant to the threat of a cyberattack, your business will also need to operate rigorous physical security measures too. High-value vehicles and inventory, make transportation businesses appealing to criminals, so it is essential to have intruder alarms and CCTV installed. Ensuring that all visitors to your business need to be signed in is crucial, too, to prevent opportunistic thieves from striking. Having security guards patrolling the premises is vital so that any potential security breaches can be dealt with immediately.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Green Credentials|How to Further Your Company’s Green Credentials

How to Further Your Company’s Green Credentials

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Green Credentials|How to Further Your Company’s Green CredentialsWe’re beginning to understand more and more about the impact that we have on the natural world. And while a lot of the literature and guidance on how we can solve the issue is geared towards individuals, the truth is that it’s by and large companies that do most of the damage, and which to make the biggest changes. The good news is that as well as helping the environment and reducing your expenses, by making the changes you’ll be making your company more appealing to customers. Studies have shown that consumers are increasingly less likely to give their money to companies that don’t have a wider social conscience. Below, we take a look at a few essential tips that’ll further your company’s green credentials.

From the Ground Up

If you’re going to make the biggest and best changes to your company’s environmental record, and reduce your energy expenses too, then you’ll need to take a look at the current set up of your current work premises, and see how you can make changes. It can take a little time and effort to have a greener company, but once it’s done, you’ll be among the leaders in the field, and will enjoy all the benefits that the changes can bring.

New Initiatives

The idea is to build environmentalism into the fabric of your company, rather than trying to tack it on at the end as an afterthought. So take a look at all aspects of your business, and see how you can make changes. There are many new initiatives that are more environmentally friendly than the old ways of doing things. For example, you can encourage ride sharing among your employees, or setup of a bike storage area. One of the best ways to reduce your company’s carbon footprint is to allow your workers to work from home — and this can bring a host of other benefits, too.

Waste Products

All businesses produce waste, but some produce much more than others. If you have a lot of waste, then it’s important that you’re setting up systems to manage this waste properly. This will help to avoid contamination and allow you to recycle as much as possible. If you’re involved in an industry that involves produced water, then you’ll want to work with a company such as mulholland energy services to ensure correct disposal. And if you have a lot of waste products, then look at partnering with a local recycling company.

Reviews and Updates

Keep in mind that your work may never be fully done on this front. There are always new practices, technology, and ways to do things, but you can only implement them if you know what they are. Keep up to date with the latest environmental moves in your industry, and also consider hiring an environmental consultant — they’ll have a level of expertise that allows you to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the green side of your business, and be apart of the future.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Working with Suppliers|It’s Not A One-Sided Approach: Working With Suppliers To Generate Better Business

It’s Not A One-Sided Approach: Working With Suppliers To Generate Better Business

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Working with Suppliers|It’s Not A One-Sided Approach: Working With Suppliers To Generate Better BusinessEvery company has its crosses to bear. Usually, this is in relation to excessive expenses, whether you are concerned about the costs in the supply chain or you are not improving your bottom line, sometimes we have to look further outwards to ascertain better cost-cutting methods. Our supplier is a very notable example because it can be a very fraught relationship when we don’t do things our end or sometimes we end up relying on them for so much, but they don’t deliver. What can we do to ensure that we improve our relationship with any supplier so we can generate better business?

Do What You Can To Maintain A Strong Relationship

It is not a one-sided approach. Sometimes we need to remember the importance of doing what we can to maintain a good working relationship with our supplier. Sometimes we can be on first name terms with people. It all depends on the industry you work in because if there are companies that are operating on a mass scale, like PEAKHD that provides fluid for diesel engines and industrial equipment, they will have numerous other businesses to contend with. From your perspective, think about improving your communication and keep them in the loop when possible. Working with a supplier on a long-term basis is a beneficial practice. Having clear and consistent communication will result in a more organic relationship further down the line.

Using Technology To Manage The Relationship

As there are so many plates to spin (especially if you are working with numerous suppliers) it’s important to make sure that you have everything in order. Supplier management software can help you keep track of information about every supplier in one handy place. But we have to remember that technology can result in us being somewhat faceless with regards to the supplier relationship. Use the tools, but make sure that they are the support network that helps you and your suppliers.

Consider The Cultural Impacts Of Your Supplier

While the world is becoming more connected we can find ourselves dealing with suppliers further afield. Sometimes they’re on the other side of the country, but increasingly they are on the other side of the world. This means that we’ve got to think globally but also think about the cultural and language barriers that may present themselves. At the same time, we must remember that the documentation can vary from country to country. Having an adequate Service Level Agreement (SLA) that you have drafted can help to navigate any potential problems. You must also think about the differences in currency. And perhaps, most obviously, think about the differences in time zones.

Working with your suppliers to generate better business is almost as important as the relationship you have with your customers. When we choose the right supplier it can be a long-lasting relationship but this means that when we work with suppliers there are components we have got to consider to make life easier for them and us. It isn’t a one-sided approach.

StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Software Engineering|What can you do with a software engineering degree

What can you do with a software engineering degree?

StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Software Engineering|What can you do with a software engineering degreeFirst, let’s talk about software engineering. It is a discipline that covers different approaches, methodologies, and ways of generating software. The main objective of studying this career is to know the tools, techniques, and methods to develop quality software and solve all the problems that arise during its development.

Software engineering jobs deal with very varied fields of computer science, which also apply to a wide spectrum of fields, such as business, scientific research, medicine, production, logistics, banking, meteorology, law, networks and much more. Here’s what you need to know about the prospects of your software engineering degree.

Software and systems engineering

Systems Engineering specializes in the increase and execution of information techniques. It covers a wide sector of work since all human activity is currently related to information management.

System engineers are trained to hold managerial positions, especially in the administrative sector and are also capable of being leaders of a variety of projects. They can work on the study and develop programs, advice and functional informatics of the organization. They serve as support in the decisions and performance of procedures in the operation.

Software Engineering is a specialty that consists of systems, instruments, and techniques that are used in the development of computer programs.

Software engineering, too, incorporates the preceding analysis of the situation, the draft of the project, the development of the software, the necessary test to verify its correct operation and put the system into operation.
Software Engineering is the engineering specialty that conceives and maintains software applications applying techniques and tests of computer science, project management, and other fields.

Systems Engineering is the engineering specialty that is based on the application of the principles of computer science, electronics and software studies, for the performance of global computing and correspondence solutions, capable of treating information automatically.

With the above, we conclude that both careers have points in common and it could even be said that they complement each other, and it is possible to resort to both at the time a project is developed.

Basic roles of Software Engineering.

The software engineer takes care of all the project management so that it can evolve in a certain period and with the resources planned for the project.

Software Engineers must:

  • Adopt a systematic approach to carrying out your work.
  • Use the appropriate instruments and technology to find the solution to the problem, according to the limitations of development and the resources available.

Software Engineering Features

It is an engineering specialty whose main objective is the cost-effective development of reliable software systems that work efficiently and includes all aspects of software production.

The software presents 3 elements that characterize it:

The programs and/or algorithms.
The data structures
Papers.

There are 2 types of software derivatives when developed: 1. Generic products and 2. Customized products.

Objectives of software engineering

The main objectives of software engineering are:

  • Design computer programs that meet the demands of society. Software Engineering
  • Objectives of Software Engineering
  • Lead and couple the development of complicated schedules.
  • Act in all phases of the life cycle of a product.
  • Compute the costs of a project and evaluate development times.
  • Track costs and deadlines.
  • Lead software development work teams.
  • Structuring the preparation of evidence that proves the perfect functioning of the programs and that adapt to the analysis and design requirements.
  • Design, build and manage databases.
  • Lead and guide programmers during application development.
  • Include quality processes in the systems, calculating metrics and indicators and checking the quality of the software produced.
  • Structure and inspect the work of your team of maintenance technicians and systems and network engineers.

Stages of software engineering

The software engineer’s work consists of seven stages. Each of them briefly defined below:

Analysis stage:

It is the procedure to investigate a problem to which you want to find the solution. The Problem to be solved or the program to be invented is clearly defined, identifying the main elements that will make up the product.

Design Stage:

It is the procedure that uses the information accumulated in the analysis stage of the product design. The main task of the design stage is to create a model or the precise characteristics for the product or System Components.

Development stage:

The software development stage consists of the use of the designs created during the design stage to elaborate on the elements to be used in the system.

Test Stage or Test Verification

It consists of guaranteeing that the individual elements that make up the system or product have the characteristics required in the specification created during the design stage.

Implementation or Delivery Stage Implementation:

It consists of the distribution of the product and makes it reach the customer.

Maintenance Stage:

It consists of applying the appropriate solutions to any product problem and re-releasing the improved product, giving it a new version.

Final stage EOL (End-of-Life)

It consists of executing all the tasks that guarantee that both the clients and the employees have the certainty that the product will no longer be available, so it will no longer be sold.
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Software engineering tools

Every day that passes, the use of the software is the best alternative to lighten and systematize tasks that are in the performance of the processes.

The evolution of software is no exception; In this case, the instruments have been called CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering).

CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering)

They incorporate a set of programs that allow improving the quality of a product, constantly offering support to analysts, software engineers, and developers.

CASE is the adaptation of processes and technology that perform programs, processes and their corresponding documentation.

Here we refer to three tools that contribute to the management of the requirements to the identity, remuneration and monitoring procedures, including interface, verification, rectification, and control of each requirement, during the project life cycle.

Changes/updates of requirements must be managed to ensure that product quality is not altered.

Recently, the tools for managing software requirements were conditioned only by text editors, who performed it making it a boring and even confusing task. Currently, we have many options.

CONTROL

The software engineering process supports tools in small businesses. It was created due to the development of the market and the creation of large and small companies, which required a tool for the evolution of their projects.

It offers important procedures such as Requirements management, use case management, trial and error case management, release planning, implementation management, dependency control between implementations, traceability matrix and traceability requirements. Here are the various fields you can choose after studying software engineering.

Conclusion

At present, there are many demands of highly prepared engineers, such as the requirements of large companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter among others, which also compete with each other, to obtain graduates from universities that present the best possibilities.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Coworking Space|Essential Tools Coworking Spaces Need To Survive

Essential Tools Coworking Spaces Need To Survive

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Coworking Space|Essential Tools Coworking Spaces Need To SurviveThe business world is changing. More and more professionals have chosen to embrace an independent career, whether as a freelancer or a solo entrepreneur, to reach out to their audience. Similarly, more and more businesses support remote working options and encourage their employees to manage their working hours as and where they see fit. As a result, coworking areas have become a popular alternative to the typical office space. For commercial property managers, launching a coworking space is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the changing work environment.

However, with a variety of choices for remote workers, coworking offices need to be smart about their offering. It takes a lot more than a cozy chair and good WiFi to appeal to the modern workforce.

A user-friendly booking system

You need to think of your coworking service in the same terms as an Airbnb rental property. You never know when the next remote team will need a space to meet and cooperate. That’s precisely because life can be full of unexpected surprises that you need to make it as smooth and easy as possible for your users to book out the space they need.

Taking inspiration from Airbnb, you need a booking platform that lets people manage not only the space they need but also the payments and cancellations in real-time. A smooth booking flow ensures you can make the most of last-minute bookings. Besides, it also helps canceled spaces to be remarketed to future users in a matter of a few clicks.

Customizing equipment for that last-minute client visit

Typically, remote businesses tend to book coworking spaces when they want to organize a meeting with partners and clients. As a result, they want to make sure they can receive their guests in the best possible situation and boost their reputation in the process. While providing meeting rooms is a no-brainer, you also need to consider last-minute branded stationery needs. Remote teams tend to buy their stationery, which means that when employees get together, they’re likely to have an inconsistent arrangement of pens and notebooks. You can help to create a homogeneous impression with a stationary room where they can find everything they need.

Additionally, adding a programmable laser cutter to engrave their logo on the chosen items can bring everything together. If you’re unsure about how cutters work, you can find the reviews of Boss laser here for clarification. You can even make personalized stationary part of your premium package.

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Coworking Space|Essential Tools Coworking Spaces Need To SurviveA high-quality coffee machine that everybody can use

You can’t picture an office space without a cup of coffee. If you are going to retain your clients, you need to invest in a quality coffee machine that can be set to make everybody the perfect brew. What does it matter?

Ultimately, remote teams are known to choose coffee shops as a working base, so providing high-quality brew will ensure they don’t ditch you for a local Starbucks’ or any other coffee chain with good WiFi.

Attracting remote businesses and entrepreneurs is no easy task for coworking companies. Building a working space that suits people’s needs is crucial to create a list of loyal and returning clients. More importantly, once you’ve set the basics – WiFi, furniture, decor, etc. –, you need to think outside the box to become the indispensable partner of remote workers’ success.