The Most Important Factors to Consider when Selecting a Fulfilment Partner

Success has a price. It’s the price of busy-ness, instead of business – unless you find the ideal partner who can take care of your orders and ensure they are fulfilled with you having no worry about the quality, quantity, and cost of the service. Sounds like a dream come true? Not at all – that’s the beauty about specialisation. That’s the beauty about outsourcing your needs. Most owners and managers agree: leave it to the experts; that’s how you become successful. You build on what’s great out there. You create time to focus on your own needs and tackle the most immediate problems one at a time. If you are in this position, then this one’s for you: here are the most important factors to consider when selecting a fulfilment partner.

Is it done right?

Find out what you need first. This is a critical point, because when you start guessing or are unsure of your own requirements, the door to miscommunication and misunderstanding is open. List it down, in terms that are as specific as possible – then see how your potential partner can help you with it. You want it to be done right, and it starts with you.

Background checks

Never be afraid to do a background check. On the Internet you may be able to find a lot of testimonials and wonderful phrases from customers, but you want to make sure they’re real and that the company truly does have that reputation. Do it the old-fashioned way; make some calls.

How advanced are they?

The modern business expects (rightfully so) that there is a certain standard of automation and efficiency. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and see how fast they can get the jobs done. Ask about the technology they use, what their efficiency rate is, and how often mistakes happen.

Location

Depending on their location, a fulfilment company may be able to help you in more ways than one. Or they may be able to recommend a great logistics partner, as well.

Cost and communication

Make sure you do your homework, read the fine print on the contract, and have open communication lines that are clear and transparent.

Last, but not least, you should also make sure the turnaround time fit your standards. Everything might be happening on time, correctly, and in a cost-efficient manner, but it should also happen fast – or at least at the speed you require. In the modern world, this usually means: the faster, the better (as long as it doesn’t diminish the efficiency and no mistakes are made). There’s no doubt getting the right fulfilment partner is a great choice, for any business. But do you research and make sure you do get the right one.