Businesses are competing against each other regardless of their size, potential and capacity. Often the small sized businesses are at a disadvantage when facing a larger competitor. This edge allows large scale companies to offer more services at a lesser cost while maintaining their desired profitability. So how can a level playing field be established as far as business competition is concerned?
Large logistics firms make news as they work with huge shippers. Meanwhile, other logistics firms are serving small and mid-size clients with results that can be even more profound. The reason this is possible is a 3rd Party provider can use their technology and leverage in the marketplace to level the playing field. It can give smaller companies the same transportation advantages as their large competitors.
These transportation advantages effectively include freight management, warehousing, carrier selection, pricing analysis and negotiation, technology, market expertise and risk management. These functions are vital to all manufacturing concerns in order to make their products readily available for their customers. If handled by a third party supply chain management company, the services are not only bundled intelligently and take advantage of the provider’s expertise in all areas of the transportation process (as it is their core competency and most likely not that of the company utilizing their services).
On top of this, the transportation advantages from third party supply chain management companies not only reduce costs, but streamline processes and optimize procedures. This cost effectiveness eventually translates into higher profitability for the company. In other words, the small business concerns get a chance to compete with the large scaled businesses on more equitable grounds with similar services provision involved.
By turning over their logistics details to someone who specializes in this field, business owners eliminate time-consuming responsibilities. They don’t have to worry about keeping track of the effectiveness of carriers. They need not invest in transport software, which now has an expected life cycle of about 18 months before something more robust is available. They don’t have to keep constantly on top of regulations and trends. They can keep their eye on what’s most important – their business.
There is a saying applicable to this type of strategic alliance – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Small businesses have the power to alter the playing field in their favor. It is not size that puts them at a disadvantage but rather the resources available. By outsourcing the logistics concerns to supply chain management companies, they are able to devote more time and effort towards the core business functions and thereby focus on things that are central to their profitability.
Outsourcing logistics functions can also help in expanding business realms beyond the conventional borders. By partnering with the right logistics provider, a small/medium size business can work through an intricate distribution strategy. This allows the company to grow and compete against the large scaled enterprises effectively and efficiently. This gives all businesses the level playing field to showcase their true potential across all ventures.
