For the Small Business
Strategies For A Successful ERP Implementation
Every company that embarks on an implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project hopes that the implementation will be a success; on time and on budget. There are a number of critical success factors that could help ensure that success of a typical ERP project. This article highlights some of the most important strategies that...
SBA Business Financing
The Small Business Administration (SBA) was established in 1953 to help small businesses. They speak for small businesses in government and help with financing, education, and federal government procurement. This article examines the business financing programs offered by the Small Business Administration.
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)
Vendor Managed Inventory or VMI is a process where the vendor creates orders for their customers based on demand information that they receive from the customer. The vendor and customer are bound by an agreement which determines inventory levels, fill rates and costs. This article describes the VMI process.
Carrier Pricing and Rates
The transportation industry can offer a complicated price structure when it involves moving commodities from one location to another. Each carrier has a price to move a class of commodity to one specific point to another specific point. A number of variables can make the decisions for a transportation manager very difficult when finding the best...
SBA Business Counseling
The Small Business Administration (SBA) was established in 1953 to assist small businesses. The SBA has a number of focuses including assistance with financing, education, federal procurement, as well as be the voice of small business in government. This article looks at the counseling and training that is offered to small businesses by the SBA.
Customer Service
Customer service is an important element for making a successful business. You can have a wonderful product, but without excellent customer service the item will never be purchased. The customer interacts with a company through a number of channels and the level of service that is afforded the customer goes a long way to achieving customer satisfaction and in turn more orders for the company. This article looks at the key elements for a world class customer service strategy.
Dunnage
Dunnage is best described as material that is used to protect goods while they are in transit. This can mean packing material that is packed around an item in a shipping crate or dunnage bags that can be inflated to ensure that items to do not move when shipped. This article looks at the different types of dunnage available for shipping.
Contract Termination
When you negotiate a contract with a supplier the terms of the contract specify details such as the quantity to be purchased, pricing, discounts, and delivery instructions. The contract will also contain clauses on what the procedure is to cancel the contract for certain reasons. This article looks at the ways in which a purchasing contract can be terminated.
Small Business Definitions
Small businesses are of great importance in any economy. The US government recognizes a number of different types of small business, such as Minority Owned, Woman Owned, Veteran Owned, and Service Disabled Veteran Owned. This article looks at the various small business definitions used in business today.
Reducing Transportation Costs
Transportation costs can be a significant part of a company’s overall logistics spend. With the increases in the price of fuel, the proportion allocated to transportation can be upward of fifty percent. Transportation costs are a major target for company’s to reduce and there are a number of transportation strategies that can be used by...
Accounts Receivables
Every small business survives by ensuring that it is paid by its customers as soon the items are delivered or when the services have been provided. The accounts receivable is the amount of money that a company is owed by its customers, which is actually a form of credit that is extended to the customers. This article looks at the basics of accounts receivables.
Data Privacy for the Small Business
Small businesses, like large business will use data and so the issue of privacy is one that is extremely important and should not be overlooked. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates and oversees business privacy laws and policies that can impact consumers. Small businesses should comply fully with federal and state laws that cover data privacy.
Transport Documentation
When items are transported either domestically or internationally the delivery must be accompanied by the relevant documentation. The amount of documentation varies depending if the shipment is within the US or to another country. These documents include the freight bill, the bill of lading and the FOB terms of sale. This article examines these...
Secrets Of Good Customer Service
Customer satisfaction is key to any company's success, but it is even more important for a small business. This article will show you some secrets of good customer service that not only make common sense, they make good business sense.
Sales Forecasting for the Small Business
Sales forecasting is especially difficult when you don’t have any previous sales history to guide you. In this article the author provides a detailed explanation of how to use three methods of sales forecasting.
Strategic Sales Planning for the Small Business
Small businesses need to seek out every opportunity to win sales. They can do this by using their competitive advantage. Creating a strategic sales plan will allow the small business owner to have that advantage over other businesses. This article will help you to develop a winning strategic sales plan.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration develops and enforces rules and regulations that relate to drivers, vehicles, and the carrier. As well as the enforcement of regulations, the FMSCA encourages the education of drivers and carriers. This article examines the work of the FMCSA.
Compliance, Safety, Accountability
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) developed Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) to look at how data is collected, reported, and how it can improve safety for commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The CSA measures covers trucking companies, drivers, and shippers who hire third parties to move freight. This article examines...
Commercial Vehicle Size and Weights
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a part of the US Department of Transportation (DoT). It is responsible for the federal size and weight regulations for commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The regulations are found in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 23 CFR Part 658. This article examines the size and weight limitations specified in...
Commercial Motor Vehicle Licensing
To drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as person is required to have a commercial driving license. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 required that drivers of commercial motor vehicles were qualified to drive such vehicles to ensure greater safety on the highways of the United States. This article looks at different aspects of...
Commercial Motor Vehicle Classification
Commercial trucks that operate on US highways can be classified based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The classification is divided into eight classes, one through eight, although many people use the more generic terms, light duty, medium duty and heavy duty. This article examines the different types of truck classifications in the US.
Freight Forwarding
The main function of the freight forwarder is to act as an intermediary between the client who is hiring them and various transportation services that are involved in getting the product overseas to the customer. This article looks at the different services that a freight forwarder can offer.
Small Business Grants
Small business grants are usually only available for specific types of businesses or activities that the government wants to encourage. Examples of these activities include expanding child care centers, creating energy efficient technology, or developing marketing campaigns for tourism. These grants are awarded by state and local governments, not the Federal government - even if the funding is from the national level. The Federal government does not award grants to start or expand a small business.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is extremely important in an economy where the vendors are having to work hard to win new business and keep their existing customers. If a company fails to satisfy their existing clients there are many other vendors who would like the opportunity to win the business. This article looks at how vendors can win and retain...
Vehicle Fleet Costs
A company may make a decision to have an in-house vehicle fleet based on the needs of the company to get goods to customers as quickly as possible. However the convenience of having a vehicle fleet to transport items at a moment notice comes at a considerable price. This article looks at the cost of owning a fleet of delivery vehicles.
Small Business Loans
Small businesses create 65% of all new jobs. For this reason, loans to small businesses keep the economy functioning. However, banks require a business to be show signs of success before lending money. This makes sense, because the bank wants to get a return on its investment.
Why Small Business Needs Supply Chain Software
It is important for a small company to manage its supply chain in the most efficient, cost-effective and collaborative way possible. Small business is under pressure to reduce manufacturing costs and to help customers reduce their own costs. This article discusses the needs for small businesses to implement supply chain software.
Outsourcing for the Small Business
Small businesses can follow the lead of larger businesses by outsourcing their logistics function. This article examines why outsourcing logistics function makes sense when small and midsize companies grow larger or have special needs.
Reverse Logistics - Asset Recovery
Returns are not always due to products being defective. According to the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA), 75% of returns are not faulty. The RLA found that the main reason a product is returned is due to some kind of misinformation at the time of purchase. In this article, you'll see how returned material can actually help your bottom line.