You’d be surprised how many small and ecommerce business owners take the quality of their warehousing for granted. Certainly one of the least glamorous aspects of the entrepreneurial adventure, proper warehousing and inventory storage is seldom a priority as a business begins to grow and adapt. Many ecommerce business owners simply deal with it only when the needs of order fulfillment and warehousing fulfillment demand its attention.
But warehousing needs don’t have to hinder a business’ growth, as these five strategies blow can prove. Use them all together or as your individual business needs demand.
Invest In Climate Control
Even in temperate regions and during the moderate weather seasons, inventory is still at risk from mildew, mold, and airborne debris. Insuring your warehousing facilities include proper and state of the art climate control resources will lower your expense costs while optimizing inventory investment.
Invest In Modern Security Measures
Theft, employee theft, and routine damages are all common problems faced by warehouse facilities. Modern security systems can help patrol and prevent most theft problems, while private security companies can lend personnel supervision to warehousing facilities during off- and downtime hours.
Still, because inventory is the lifeblood of your mail order fulfillment business, taking every precaution possible when protecting it will bring you the peace of mind that only maximum security can provide. As the old saying goes, you can’t be too careful.
Train Your Staff For Maximum Loss Prevention
Your warehousing staff can play a vital role in protecting your inventory during the delivery, storage, and shipping processes. Teaching them proper loss prevention, efficiency, and time management skills will help you to reduce inventory lost to accidents and carelessness while providing your staff with a safer workplace.
Take An Active Management Role
Many ecommerce business owners are content to take an almost invisible position within the warehouse and fulfillment departments, leaving the day to day operations to the warehouse manager. Closely monitoring your warehouse’s operations makes you better informed when making decisions.
Outsource Your Warehousing and Fulfillment
Alternately, outsourcing your warehouse and order fulfillment requirements to a third party logistics provider allows you the freedom to dispense with the day to day operations, creating more time and money to focus on front-end business development. Warehouse fulfillment providers feature all of the considerations described above, at a cost that may be much less than your current operating expenses.