Thursday 24 January 2013

Boosting Brand Value With Improved Logistics

Logistics and brand value are strongly inter-linked. Small changes in the former have a massive impact on the latter. In a world, where every minor mistake has a domino effect on the brand’s reputation through easily accessible Internet reviews, it is imperative for companies to make sure that their logistics do not leave any scope for any minor error. This is be possible if only the company’s logistics are customer-oriented, ensuring that customer friendly policies are not just laid in place, but also efficiently executed. 

Strong logistics strategies mean having the right items at the right time, and delivering them to the right customer. As easy as this might sound, the process that goes into flawlessly executing one is a highly intricate one, owing to the long chain of process involved. Since this is the face of the company that the customers directly get to see, it has an undeniable impact on the brand value. When customers know that the company they are dealing with has a strong customer support system and easy return or refund policies in place, there is a much higher chance of them remaining loyal to that particular brand. 

The following tips show how brand value can be boosted through logistics- 
  • Increase the flexibility and speed of the transportation management system- This tackles the prime concern of customers of correct and timely deliveries. It is also instrumental in streamlining the return and exchange processes, which are a key factor in establishing brand image. 
  • Maximizing logistical resources- When it comes to online shopping, it is a major challenge for a brand to stand out among thousands of its competitors. Especially in times when high-end brands are introducing attractive features such as same-day deliveries, free shipping, etc., which have proved to increase sales. 
  • Effective handling of recalls- With the manifold increase in customer awareness, recalls are an inevitable challenge that companies have to face. Increasing supply chain visibility and implementing robust testing and monitoring procedures are a few ways in which companies can tackle this challenge. 
  • Integrated data analysis technology- Many companies are turning to advanced logistics software for better maintenance of databases, which can be accessed at all levels of the supply chain. This helps to improve logistics management by streamlining the supply chain processes, increasing productivity and minimizing delays. 
By adopting these simple logistics principles, companies can significantly boost their brand value and increase customer satisfaction.