When things work out as planned, it feels as if you are on the right track!
For example, customers walk into a store and immediately find what they were looking for or they place an order online and receive the delivery within a couple of days.
Customers have become used to this level of comfort offered by most businesses. However, when supply chains are disrupted due to local and global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, established processes can go right out the window.
Supply chain disruptions tend to be challenging for both businesses and customers. This makes it crucial to have a disaster recovery plan in place to ensure business continuity.
At Doorway Services we have put together a list of 5 ways you can address the supply chain issues during a pandemic.
Let’s take a look!
1. Be Transparent with Your Customers
At Doorway Services, we firmly believe that open communication with customers is key at a time when observing social distancing is crucial.
You have to be transparent about the waiting period and the reasons for the delay. This will ensure that your customers are on the same page as you are. If you are running out of stock, have changed the delivery speed, or are reducing the number of purchases, share the details with your customers as soon as possible.
Your communication doesn’t have to be limited to just your customers. Make sure you are consistently in touch with your team and other distribution partners as well to ensure that the supply chain is as smooth as it can be.
2. Analyse Every Critical Element of Your Supply Chain
Present supply chains have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ design, assuming that materials are available for production on a global scale. Though it has created an inexpensive ‘Cost to Serve’ model, the current pandemic has thrown a huge curveball on the logistics industry.
As a business, you need to figure out what’s necessary for workflow continuity along with the origin of supply. You also have to streamline the capacity of your supply chains with dynamic operational capability.
For instance, for an automatic door installation company such as ourselves, we’ve had to look at diversifying our product range to meet demand, whilst also ensuring we don’t compromise quality.
When you stick to a single source to reduce your expenses, it affects your customers as they aren’t directly linked to the vendor; but you are. To avoid this, consider looking for suppliers situated at various locations to easily reroute your shipments.
3. Evaluate Stock Availability
It is important to have a complete list of your available stock at all times! Having a comprehensive understanding of your inventory is crucial especially when the supply chain has disruptions to deal with.
It will be a good idea to physically check the available stock and audit not just the number of completed products, but also the required spare parts and components to ensure your production is up and running!
4. Determine Logistical Flexibility
You have to be flexible now more than ever.
Determine the areas where it’s possible for you to hit the brakes and opt for an alternative delivery channel or slower delivery time.
This also takes you back to the significance of open communication. Ensure that you’re reinforcing the bond with your suppliers and appreciating the efforts they have been putting in to help you maintain business efficiency.
5. Adopt a People-First Approach
As a business owner, it is essential to have a people-first approach, especially during this period of uncertainty. As far as the supply chain is concerned, you need all hands on deck. Irrespective of whether you’re an automatic door supplier or essential service provider, the safety and health of your customers and employees has to be prioritised.
Allow your employees to work from home wherever possible and execute a proper communication plan within your company. This will ensure your staff is well-informed which means you can prevent major supply chain disruptions. Prepare your suppliers for the work procedures so they are ready to deal with the surge in demand that’s likely to happen once things go back to normal.
6. Plan Your Response Beforehand to Steer Through Disruptions
Local and global events as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are unpredictable. It is therefore important to have a long term plan in place as it helps you cushion the impact of Coronavirus and other similar crisis.
As a business, you need to have a contingency plan in place as you carefully assess the potential risks at hand. This way, you will be more than prepared to stabilise business functions as you adjust to the new normal!
Similarly, once the pandemic is behind us, we all will have to embrace innovative ways to ensure business continuity and the safety of your employees. You can get automatic sliding doors installed by professional door installers, as this will help curb the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Doorway Services for Commercial Door Installation
We are professional commercial door suppliers and installers offering bespoke services to businesses of all sizes.
Give us a call now, to know more about the door installation, servicing and repair services we offer!