How Shippers Can Improve their Relationship With Carriers

Introduction

In all commercial enterprises, cultivating a good customer relationship is something that is constantly emphasized and labored upon. As vital as it is to have proper customer relationships, it’s also critical to commit adequate effort and time to enhance your internal relationships. For shippers, this relates to the relationship with carriers.

Here are some things shippers can adapt to improve their relationship with their carriers;

Always plan ahead

In the logistics business, time is essential. All parties involved in this process must be punctual in their respective duties. To achieve this, a thorough plan should be drafted. So, to avoid issues that can potentially ruin or discontinue their relationship, both shippers and carriers should stick to an agreed plan drawn to enable smooth shipping operations domestically and internationally.

Pay on time

This step can’t be overemphasized. Your carriers should be paid on time under the pricing rate agreed by both parties. Making these timely payments enables carriers to make adequate compensation for costs accorded from operational and process expenses.

In addition to paying on time, efforts should be made to prevent unnecessary hitches and delays caused by incorrect payment.

Embrace technology

This should come as no surprise to shippers. Since technology is generally known to increase productivity, it is only adequate that shippers incorporate technological tools in their relationship with carriers. These tools can help shippers create shipping labels, figure out rates or service offers, and make it easier for both shippers and carriers to exchange important data.

Data Gathering

Shippers should employ the use of data gathering to their benefit. Through gathering and processing, most shippers can keep track of past transaction records with their carriers. Data gathering brings the advantage of a more efficient referencing process to improve the relationship between shippers and carriers.

Shippers should build trust with the carriers.

In relating with carriers, shippers should consider possible future deals that can be beneficial to them and try to prevent actions on their part that can ruin their business relationship with carriers. They should strive to maintain a healthy relationship and build trust by respecting their promises and assuring their unwavering commitments to the terms of their agreements. This trust can, over time, fix their fragile relationship and establish a long-lasting one.

Create efficient and reliable communication channels

Shippers should establish a reliable two-way communication channel with the carriers to adequately relay important shipping information. The more efficient the communication channel is, the less likely avoidable mistakes are made.

With a reliable communication channel in place, clear information can be relayed. This feature leads to timely shipment delivery and quick resolution of issues that may arise during the transaction.

Make your facility accommodative to the needs of carriers and their drivers.

Shippers should ensure drivers have access to bathrooms, adequate parking and even drivers lounges when resources allow it.  Shippers must understand their business is dependent on carriers hauling their freight.  When shippers refuse to provide even the most basic accommodations to carriers, the quality of carriers who are willing to haul their freight goes WAY DOWN!  The quality of carriers who haul a shippers freight directly correlate with on time rates, damage claims and overall performance of said carriers.  The message of treating drivers with respect must be communicated from the top down in an organization to ensure your company is known as a bad shipper for a carrier to get loaded or unloaded at.

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