The SMB’s guide to integrating a new delivery partner before peak season

Ready to onboard a new delivery partner before peak shipping season? Here are steps to take now to ensure a smooth, successful transition. 

While “peak season” means a large influx of revenue for many small and midsize businesses (SMBs), it can also mean a season of high stress for those with insufficient final-mile delivery plans. 

Maybe last year’s approach didn’t work out as planned, or perhaps it’s just time to test out a new strategy with the help of a reliable delivery partner. 

Whatever the reason for integrating a new delivery partner, the time to initiate and build that new relationship is now. You don’t want to be in the throes of peak season when you realize you need a more reliable final-mile delivery partner in your corner. 

Peak season: Goldmine or nightmare?

Most years, peak season starts in October and extends through December. Order and shipment volumes increase, which means SMBs must stock up on inventory and ramp up their transportation strategies. It’s also a season of constrained carrier capacity and/or higher-than-usual costs.

Peak season can be a goldmine for SMBs, but it can also spiral into a logistical nightmare if you haven’t planned ahead. By integrating a new partner now, before the peak holiday rush starts, you’ll position yourself to fulfill and manage the higher volume of orders that start to stream in this time of the year with ease and efficiency.

Five keys to success 

Here are five steps you can take now to ensure this year’s peak season runs smoothly:

1. Prioritize integration, simplicity and reliability. Find a partner that’s ready to integrate with your operations, that will be there when you need them, and that has experience working with SMBs. It’s important that your delivery partner “ease into” their new role, versus making you jump through hoops to get the relationship on track. 
2. Know your needs. Will you be handling a high volume of orders daily, or is your business more apt to “spike” at certain times? Do your customers expect ultra-fast, same-day deliveries? Do you ship a large number of big and bulky items that require special handling? These are some of the questions to ask yourself as you look for a final-mile delivery partner that can handle your anticipated order flow during peak season (and beyond).
3. Create a “must have” shopping list. Your list of must-haves should include factors like delivery speed (same-day, next-day), coverage area (will it be enough for your customer base?), pricing and company reputation. Also consider package size and weight and at what times of day your order flow generally spikes or wanes. 
4. Set clear expectations of your new delivery partner. Once you’ve researched different options and selected a partner, you’ll want to set some clear relationship expectations. Discuss how they’ll keep you informed about deliveries and management of special instructions, as well as how they will train their team members on your company’s protocols and processes.  
5. Explore scalable, crowdsourced delivery options. A good partner helps SMBs meet customer expectations throughout peak season. When order flows normalize, the crowdsourced provider will be on deck, ready to help when called upon. This scalable approach gives SMBs the flexibility to “act big” without having to invest in more labor, equipment or vehicles. 

It’s time to make your move. 

In today’s dynamic shipping environment, peak season preparation isn’t a “one and done” exercise. To avoid unexpected surprises, arrange regular check-ins with your final-mile partner to exchange feedback, identify opportunity areas and make good supply chain decisions. 

With a national market reach and convenient business model, a reliable crowdsourced delivery partner like Roadie can be your best team member throughout peak season. Roadie’s robust network of independent drivers and technology systems will help ensure good visibility across the supply chain and pave the way for a successful peak season for your company and its customers.