Secrets to a Successful Final Mile Delivery
The finish line. The last leg. The ending. The final mile.
The culmination of a lot of hard work, sweat, and hopefully no blood and tears. (Unless, of course, we’re moving medical deliveries!)
There is so much to love about the final mile. Here at Eagle Express, we love getting to meet our customers, and seeing their faces as we hand over an impeccably timed delivery. Getting to make someone’s day with the right machine part or delivering a truckload of food to an eager chef, or even moving a lifesaving organ for transplant- that’s what we love about the final mile.
While there’s a lot to love about a successful final mile, there is also a lot about it that’s concerning.
As one writer puts it- failures in the final mile usurp all the successes that occurred in the supply chain before it.
No matter how quickly you picked up the cargo, or how expertly you packed it, or how intuitively you avoided traffic delays, if you fail to deliver in the final mile, you failed. After all that work- success is eluded! If only there was a magic formula for a successful final mile…
Well. There isn’t a magic formula, or a top secret to do list, but there are a few tips that can make your final mile a sweeping success, win over customers, and boost your Google Business reviews. We’ll spill the tea:
Solid GPS and Tracking Systems-
Customers expect their deliveries fast, but also in accordance with their own schedule. It’s a tough crowd, we tell ya! The ability to move cargo quickly relies heavily on taking the right route and following the directions. Avoiding traffic, slowdowns, construction, and other hazards make for a smooth ride that arrives at a specified ETA.
Speaking of ETAs, customers definitely don’t appreciate a 4 hour delivery window. A successful final mile means an accurate delivery estimate that respects the time of the courier and the client. With state of the art GPS and tracking systems, users are offered an estimated arrival down to the minute. Couriers can plan their deliveries, and customers can plan their day, knowing an accurate delivery window and constant communication will keep everyone on track.
Maintained and Available Vehicles-
Another factor that affects the final mile are the delivery tools, specifically the vehicles. Moving sensitive cargo on that last leg could require a refrigerated vehicle. Large cargo needs a straight truck. Heavy products require lifts and hand trucks. The success of the final mile depends on whether or not these tools are available when a customer requires them.
This means couriers need to plan ahead. Preventative maintenance and superior fleet scheduling means vehicles are available when clients need them. These speeds up the delivery process and makes for a successful final mile experience.
Courteous and Knowledgeable Couriers-
Couriers that deliver the final mile are first line customer service for organizations. Does your courier make a great first impression? If your cargo arrives as disheveled as the person handling it, your final mile experience won’t be labeled a success. Instead, couriers should be knowledgeable, professional, and courteous. As they hand over your cargo, they should make a fantastic first impression on your customers. The final mile isn’t just about what is delivered, it’s about how it’s delivered and who is delivering it.
Full Suite of Insurance-
Last, but certainly not least, it’s important to consider what could go wrong in a final mile delivery. Like we said above, the final mile carries room for error. At Dallas Courier, the secret to our success can also be attributed to the way we deal with failure. While we plan and execute successful deliveries nearly 99% of the time, we have a backup plan.
We offer a full suite of insurance with every delivery, protecting your cargo, our vehicles, and our drivers. Should an error occur during that final mile, our couriers have the means to make reparations quickly, which helps build trust with our clients.
It’s really no secret at all. The successful final mile is contingent upon the right courier.
Eagle Express is your secret to a successful final mile!
Call us today to discuss your options for final mile logistics. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, weekends, holidays, and every day in between. We look forward to building a relationship with you!