3 Wrenches That Can Ruin Your Business

 

 

Running a business requires a lot of balance to keep things running smoothly. Even when things are going well, it doesn’t take much to derail a company’s processes, especially when it comes to smaller businesses or non-profit organizations. There are quite a few “wrenches” that can get tossed into the mix, causing smaller speed bumps to mushroom into mountainous problems for you. Watch out for the following potential issues, and make sure you’re taking precautions to avoid larger setbacks down the line:

1. When a particular transportation need does not fit your organization’s routine operations.

When a company gets this wrench thrown into the mix, its routine can get discombobulated. Some examples of this are when there’s a special order or unusual circumstances that are not “business as usual.” One of the most important steps to a successful business is having a schedule and sticking to it. Don’t miss out on potential business opportunities because they don’t align with your normal way of doing things. Those lost business opportunities could be the difference between failing and prospering.

2. When you run into problems managing your own fleet.

Owning and maintaining your own truck or fleet can be more time and money than it’s worth. While you’re trying to manage this aspect of your business, there are several problems that could suddenly arise. Expensive vehicle maintenance, overworked employees, and drop off mistakes are just the start of the problems you can encounter. These can be a headache at best and detrimental at worst.

3. When You Lose Focus on Your Company’s Mission

Thinking about all of the tasks, both small and large, that your company has to juggle every single day can be overwhelming within itself. So one of the worst things you can do is take your eye off  the ball. When you attempt to execute unnecessary tasks into your business plan, you can overload both yourself and your employees. The best practice is to focus on your mission. If you can outsource a task that is bogging you down– do it. If not, you could be draining your resources dry on tasks that aren’t directly focused on your mission.

Thankfully, there are resources you can rely on to help deal with the wrenches that get thrown into your business operations. Mission Logistics can help your business flourish by handling some or all of your transportation and logistical needs by eliminating your need to manage your own fleet of vehicles, handling your needs that fall out of routine, and helping you focus on your mission. The best part is that we work with you and cater to the needs of your business or non-profit. It’s our mission to let you focus on yours.

3 Characteristics of Every Innovative Business

Innovative Business

What makes for an innovative business? While innovation is often characterized by the ability to turn a vision into new products or services, it also is the ability to re-imagine things that already are. Therefore, being innovative can sometimes mean  taking something familiar and making it better in a way that it isn’t traditionally done by the competitors. These three qualities of every innovative business can help you determine where your business is exceeding and where you may need to change up your strategy.

It Fills a Gap

No industry is perfect, but this comes as an advantage to business owners. When gaps in an industry exist, innovation comes into play. Finding gaps to fill is easier said than done, but rest assured that no industry is flawless, and there is always room for improvement. For example, when it comes to transportation and logistics, you might think that there couldn’t possibly be a gap to fill in the industry. However, here at Mission Logistics, we found there to be many company and non-profit transportation needs that weren’t being met, including less-than-truckload deliveries and low-budget transfers.

It Has a Greater Good

Innovative companies know that there is a greater good beyond business. In this case, you get what you give. Taking the time to give back to your community in any way helps your business be innovative because it brings perspective and a good reputation. Just like its parent company, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mission Logistics works to create employment opportunities for deserving individuals.

It Has and Executes a Clear Vision

Here at Mission Logistics, our vision is to support your vision. We strive to handle your transportation logistics so that you can focus fully on accomplishing your mission. It is not enough to just have a clear vision, it must be executed. This means that your company or non-profit needs to be concentrating on your vision so that it can be executed effectively. After all, what is a vision worth if it never gets fully off of the ground? It can be tempting to want to handle everything internally, but at the end of the day, innovative businesses know how to stick to what they do best. Outsourcing jobs like transportation gives you the time and energy your team needs to build or continue your innovative business objectives.

Businesses that strive to put innovation at the forefront of their strategic goals foster success naturally. By filling a gap, focusing on a greater good, and executing a clear vision, your company can be on it’s way to bringing innovation to your industry in your community.

 

3 Tips for Running Your Business

Mission Logistics, business tips

Every business wants to be successful. The tricky part is getting all of the many pieces that make up a business running smoothly as one. These three tips can help you and your team reach your full potential, whether you are a for-profit or non-profit company.

1. Focus on your objective

This tip may seem obvious to some, but time and time again businesses lose track of what they are really trying to accomplish. When businesses lose focus on their objectives, it is often because they are trying to be too many things at once. Businesses that attempt to handle all aspects of their business internally instead of outsourcing tasks such as logistics and transportation needs often find that they aren’t allocating their resources efficiently. Success comes when your eye is on the ball. Here at Mission Logistics, we know that it’s in your best interest to focus on your mission and let us manage your shipping and logistical needs.

2. Treat your employees well

Sometimes good employees aren’t found, they’re made. Your employees have an astronomical impact on the success of your business, and how you treat your employees has a big reflection on their work ethic. This isn’t to say that you don’t need to bring good people to your team. However, it’s important to treat them well in order to keep them with your company and get the most out of them for your business. Good employees respond well to being respected and valued. Provide them with the pay and benefits that they deserve, foster a positive work environment, and lighten their workload from unnecessary tasks. This last one ties back to tip number one. Your whole team needs to be focused on your mission and not overburdened with work that could be outsourced.

3. Shoot for good enough

Perfection has no place in the business world. What truly matters is that your business is getting things done. Once you are focused on your objective and fostering great employees, you will be tempted to strive for perfection. However, perfection is a goal that no business can achieve. Instead, settle for concentrating on your mission and getting it done, even if the means embracing a few bumps on the road.

Running a business or non-profit is complicated. Focus on your objective, treat your employees well, and shoot for good enough. Finally, when you need help with your transportation and logistical needs, give us a call. Here at Mission Logistics, we thrive on being a dependable partner and aiding in the success of your business.