01:48
Faizan
In the modern world, our cities are becoming more populated than ever. In terms of entrepreneurship, there is also far more capacity to make money in the sprawl and congestion of an urban metropolis. So it is no accident many couriers find work in the urban jungle; but it is not nicknamed a jungle by accident! The competitive nature of delivery work in a city means you need to pick up very specific skills to survive and thrive.
Kill dead mileage
Most couriers who work for larger companies are moving constantly from job to job. But if you are an owner driver, and perhaps not part of an extensive network with thorough communication resources and a broad client list, you may find yourself spending a lot of time on the road driving to pick up a package rather than deliver it. This is essentially a waste of fuel and time, as such dead mileage is not covered by the client. It is therefore vital to coordinate your trips so you are also picking up deliveries from (or close to) your drop off points, thus killing of dead mileage and making a profit where you would otherwise be wasting resources.
Know the roads
The blessing of the city for couriers can also be its curse. The nature of high-density living means there is a greater need for deliveries to be made across the complex network of roads that criss-cross the urban sprawl. But the complexity created by this high-density living means couriers can find it hard to navigate the streets and forge the most efficient paths. Therefore it is vital for the successful owner driver to know their routes back to front and inside out. This will nullify obstacles to efficiency such as traffic, accidents, road changes or traffic infringements. The best couriers will take time to find the best routes for their clients to create the most efficient business model.
Build solid relationships
The work of a courier relies on people - and this is certainly the case for an owner driver. You are dealing with people from the moment you seal a deal with a client to the moment you hand over a package. Therefore it is imperative that you develop useful people skills. The ability to build rapport, negotiate, present yourself professionally, be assertive and not aggressive, and listen effectively will go a long way to not only sealing happy and repeat clients, but also to building a successful reputation in the tight knit city networks.
Kill dead mileage
Most couriers who work for larger companies are moving constantly from job to job. But if you are an owner driver, and perhaps not part of an extensive network with thorough communication resources and a broad client list, you may find yourself spending a lot of time on the road driving to pick up a package rather than deliver it. This is essentially a waste of fuel and time, as such dead mileage is not covered by the client. It is therefore vital to coordinate your trips so you are also picking up deliveries from (or close to) your drop off points, thus killing of dead mileage and making a profit where you would otherwise be wasting resources.
Know the roads
The blessing of the city for couriers can also be its curse. The nature of high-density living means there is a greater need for deliveries to be made across the complex network of roads that criss-cross the urban sprawl. But the complexity created by this high-density living means couriers can find it hard to navigate the streets and forge the most efficient paths. Therefore it is vital for the successful owner driver to know their routes back to front and inside out. This will nullify obstacles to efficiency such as traffic, accidents, road changes or traffic infringements. The best couriers will take time to find the best routes for their clients to create the most efficient business model.
Build solid relationships
The work of a courier relies on people - and this is certainly the case for an owner driver. You are dealing with people from the moment you seal a deal with a client to the moment you hand over a package. Therefore it is imperative that you develop useful people skills. The ability to build rapport, negotiate, present yourself professionally, be assertive and not aggressive, and listen effectively will go a long way to not only sealing happy and repeat clients, but also to building a successful reputation in the tight knit city networks.
Posted in: business
