Why Communication Is Critical from an Expedited Courier Partner
When you’re working with an expedited courier, you’re likely operating on high alert—after all, you probably don’t need to expedite your shipments unless something went wrong. The unstated part of the courier’s job is to calm your nerves by taking control of the process. In order to do that, maintaining open, fast communication—on both sides—is critical.
Getting Started: Establishing Strong Communication
In order to provide the best possible solutions, your expedited courier will need to know the ins and outs of your logistics: exactly what you’re shipping, the size and number of units, where it is and where it needs to go, and when it needs to get there.
It’s important to be specific about the “when.” Often, we have clients who say they want the fastest possible shipment, but that means it would arrive at 3:00 AM on a Sunday morning at a facility that doesn’t open until 8:00 AM Monday. You would end up paying an unnecessary premium for that expedited shipment.
Make sure your expedited courier partner has all this information before reviewing possible shipping solutions with them. The more accurate and transparent you can be about your needs, the better.
On the Way: Maintaining Communication Throughout Shipments
With CNW – Courier NetWork, our clients get access to an online portal that allows them to view updates about the status and location of their shipment. They’ll see when it’s picked up, when it arrives at the airport, gets loaded on the plane, gets taken off the plane, and so on, all the way until it reaches its final destination.
If they have questions or need more detailed updates while the shipment is en route, they can call, email, or text a dedicated account manager 24/7. (We even use apps like WhatsApp for our international customers.) That person knows everything there is to know about the clients’ shipment and stays in close contact with the material planner and inbound/outbound supply chain team the entire time. There’s no generic 1-800 support number or automated customer service—our clients enjoy the personal touch of a single point of contact.
When it comes to setting up emergency shipments, it can be challenging to keep a level head. Your expedited courier partner should understand the urgency, but also help you think through your needs calmly, so they can provide the best and most cost-effective solution.
Ready to learn more about how CNW delivers for clients every day? Contact our team today.
