Logistics chains in any operation can be difficult to manage effectively. Nevertheless, it is vital that the questions that logistics deals with – which goods must be transported when, from where, and how – are resolved for any business operations to run smoothly and efficiently. Implementing the following strategies in your operation could be essential for the success of your business in 2020.

Develop relationships at home and abroad

Due to the heavily interconnected nature of logistical networks, one weak link can harm the functioning of the entire supply chain. Cultivating lasting relationships with reliable and honest suppliers, retailers and pallet networks has the immediate effect of improving communication and efficiency between nodes in the supply chain, and it also creates a store of good feeling that can be called upon when needed.

In a global marketplace, good working relationships do not need to be constrained by national borders. A survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers showed that while over three quarters of EU businesses were satisfied with links to overseas markets, less than half of businesses in developing countries felt the same way. This represents an opportunity to gain an edge over your competitors by building links with emerging economies, with the benefits of cheaper goods and potentially vital markets in future, as these economies develop further to become central to the global economy.

Modernise and streamline your operation

Logistics managers should carefully review their own operation to ensure that they aren’t the weak link. Upgrading and streamlining the storage and retrieval sides of your operation with modern, hardy and adjustable facilities need not be exorbitant, and the efficiency savings could cover the initial outlay over time. Companies such as Rackzone provide pallet racking in Ireland, and similar supplies exist in the UK that could represent an untapped lifeline to SMEs in the British Isles.

Naturally, effective logistics management requires skills that accumulate over time and improve with experience. Planning ahead to account for potential failures in the chain will reduce the chance of delays when things do go wrong. When the functioning of your chain does take a turn for the worse, staying calm and in control is essential to prevent the situation from worsening unnecessarily. Accept that mistakes are inevitable and treat them as valuable learning experiences that pave the way to future success.