July 2, 2018 Why Efficient Distribution Is Crucial

Having efficient, streamlined distribution channels is vital to your business, but how can you get the most impact from them?

Distribution channels are essential if you want your business to thrive. Failing to streamline and perfect your ability to provide a customer with their product or service in a timely and efficient manner is a quick way to lose valuable custom and generate negative online reviews. These can damage your future business potential, so it’s vital that you give serious consideration to making your distribution resources running as smoothly and as effective as possible. In order to assess the best way to do this, here are the three major industries and how they cope with the all-important distribution factor. How you tackle the distribution issue will depend on your business sector and the technologies that you utilize, but by taking the lead from the largest industries, it becomes much easier to adapt their techniques to your own company.

Construction issues

For those in the construction business, distribution presents numerous unique challenges that other industries are able to avoid. One of the most significant concerns is down to the high costs of the materials needed to continue work. Construction materials are not cheap, but they are also an absolute necessity. Construction workers will be unable to do their jobs if their materials are not on-site, and a construction firm is not going to get paid if the work is not completed. This catch-22 situation can have dire effects, so it’s important that solutions are found – quickly. There are several ways to accomplish this, and whether you opt for using lines of credit to secure the necessary resources, improve your warehouse efficiency, or rely on proven and reliable distributors, will come down to your reputation and longevity. Never go beyond what you can deliver and always deliver what you promise, and the distribution channels will begin to function in the right way.

Retail is changing

The internet has changed both business management and the consumer experience, and those changes have long-term knock-on effects. One of the most significant for those in retail is the growth of the direct-to-consumer distribution and marketing method. For large wholesale companies, it makes sense to cut out the middleman and sell directly, and that has meant a significant rise in the number of direct e-commerce stores and even dedicated brick and mortar branded premises. With the emphasis on hyper-focused customer satisfaction, it’s never been more important that distribution is handled correctly. For wholesalers, that distribution risk is drastically reduced, and consumers are far more likely to get what they want. For those looking for distribution solutions, taking a leaf from the retail market may provide answers.

Transforming Healthcare

The healthcare industry in America is changing dramatically. No longer is the emphasis on care volume, but rather the quality of that care. It means that distribution has never been as important as it is now. For those in the healthcare sector, it’s important to keep your Quality Score high, and one of the most damaging ways to reduce that score is by having weak distribution. As one of the most important industries, it’s essential that you get your distribution right, and the internet provides a number of solutions. Due to the lack of geographical issues, an Orthopaedic Consultancy can now network with relevant businesses anywhere in the world. Sourcing the right distributor who can deliver is the key to making your healthcare business safer in an increasingly customer-centric landscape.

The role of technology

Both manufacturers and distributors are already well aware of how quickly new technology can transform and disrupt an industry. However, the main driver of tech transformation for businesses continues to be the potential benefits of a strong online presence. Much has been written about how to grow your company using digital marketing and social media, but the benefits actually go further than that. For your distribution channels, the internet provides a vast amount of potential for making new distribution contact, and using that resource can open up whole new levels of distribution perfection that will keep your customers happier and your revenue streams constant. There’s a good chance that there is a specific supplier and distribution community already established that you can contact. Do some research and look at some of the resources available, because no matter how niche a service your business provides, you can be sure that there are communities already established and resources already compiled that can provide you with valuable tools to help run your distribution channels much more efficiently.

In a consumer-focused world, it’s always been important that your distribution is as smooth as possible. No matter where you are in the supply chain or what industry you work in, having a fluid and flexible distribution process that delivers on time and in the right condition is vital. Make sure that your business has made the most of the distribution resources available, and you will find that your business will face far fewer challenges when it comes to customer satisfaction.

James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.

Subscribe to Industry Today