07:20
Faizan
It can take weeks and even month to pick up on-going (repeat) haulage contracts. However, they can be lost again in just a few seconds. Here are a few useful tips as to how you can hopefully avoid experiencing the frustration of that scenario.
What not to do
Back in the 1970s there was a series of documentaries on TV following what can only be described as the exploits of what at the time were called "long-distance lorry drivers".
They were patronizingly referred to by the programmes as "the last cowboys". If you can find copies of these ancient documentaries, they are well worth watching for nostalgia, but also because they demonstrate some fairly commonplace attitudes that were simply not in the customer's best interests.
Hopefully these attitudes and approaches to modern haulage contracts are now the stuff of history but just in case, try to avoid the following.
• Making collection and delivery promises that are reliant upon good fortune and best-case scenarios. If you have no choice, make sure the customer is well aware of your underlying assumptions and that they might not work out.
• Transhipping goods, unless you have again notified the customer in advance.
• Avoid your customer needing to call you to tell you that there are problems with your vehicle. That includes situations where chains or straps were requested but your vehicle and driver arrive without them.
• Sending inappropriate vehicles. Examples might include rigid vans when a tilt has been requested, or flat beds where the load was clearly stated to require a low-loader.
• Leaving your customers in the dark. The moment the customer has to telephone you to try and find out what is going on then you're immediately in trouble in terms of keeping their goodwill and retaining their future business.
What not to do
Back in the 1970s there was a series of documentaries on TV following what can only be described as the exploits of what at the time were called "long-distance lorry drivers".
They were patronizingly referred to by the programmes as "the last cowboys". If you can find copies of these ancient documentaries, they are well worth watching for nostalgia, but also because they demonstrate some fairly commonplace attitudes that were simply not in the customer's best interests.
Hopefully these attitudes and approaches to modern haulage contracts are now the stuff of history but just in case, try to avoid the following.
• Making collection and delivery promises that are reliant upon good fortune and best-case scenarios. If you have no choice, make sure the customer is well aware of your underlying assumptions and that they might not work out.
• Transhipping goods, unless you have again notified the customer in advance.
• Avoid your customer needing to call you to tell you that there are problems with your vehicle. That includes situations where chains or straps were requested but your vehicle and driver arrive without them.
• Sending inappropriate vehicles. Examples might include rigid vans when a tilt has been requested, or flat beds where the load was clearly stated to require a low-loader.
• Leaving your customers in the dark. The moment the customer has to telephone you to try and find out what is going on then you're immediately in trouble in terms of keeping their goodwill and retaining their future business.
Posted in: business
