Despatches May-June 2014
reallygoodcouriers.com
Cheap aint good & good ain’t cheap Sailor Jerry
I had a very interesting conversation with a new client the other day. He retails very expensive shirts and had asked me in to see him after yet another one of his customers had called, saying his shirt had finally been delivered, late and was left unsigned for, in his wheelie bin. Needless to say my client had lost another customer. I asked what courier he used - and when he told me I said that choice alone was the reason why - he had used the cheapest courier available. Needless to say we do not use this carrier! I am reminded of the John Ruskin quote... The Law of Business There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It is unwise to pay too much, but it is also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.
It can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.” John Ruskin, 1819 – 1900 Who you choose as your courier or carrier is important. They interact with your clients, deliver your promises and are often the make or break element of your relationship with them. If you use someone who is not fit for purpose the damage is huge. All the work you have done researching your clients, marketing to them, manufacturing your goods, or creating your product, finding your clients, and then finally getting the sale is COMPLETELY wasted if you fail to deliver. A really good way of evaluating your carrier is to ask what your clients think. Indifference is good - because if they have a grudge it is often already too late. But at least ask, you may be surprised - for good or bad reasons. Make your courier reflect your brand. If the courier is poor that may well be the first and last impression your client has of you. And you have worked very hard to get that client. So take care, choose wisely, and don’t be cheap. The price you pay may FAR exceed the cost of paying for a decent supplier.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot...
Team Diamond Profile p2 21 in 21 update
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Kate & Jim’s Book Club p2
Franchise Focus: Sheffield
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Client Focus: Corporate Baby
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Team Diamond Profile What do you like about Diamond Logistics?
Their can do attitude. We are a team of likeminded individuals that want & are changing the perception of logistics for the better.
What is your history?
4 Years sales and marketing exposure in IT, Hospitality & Retail Sectors .
Where do you work? Diamond HQ.
What experience do you have?
3 years’ experience in email and marketing communications. Managing and supporting a range of client projects for the likes of STA Travel and Prezzo Restaurants.
What is your job title? Marketing Manager.
What new marketing concepts are we likely to see this year?
Introduction of Diamond University. A webinar workshop for existing and prospect customers to understand why logistics should be the number one priority for their business
What do you want Diamond to become?
A globally recognised brand, that companies use as the go to logistics provider in the UK.
Things you enjoy outside the world of Diamond: I am a big fan of quality restaurants and like to play the odd round of golf when I can. I love wine and have passed two industry recognised courses at both levels 1 & 2.
21in 21 Update Kate & Jim’s Diamond donates monthly to a variety of charities around the world - donating at source to maximise return.
Book Club This month they have mostly been reading: Who Moved The Cheese?
Tiggywinkles
B1G1
The world’s busiest animal sanctuary caring for sick and injured hedgehogs, badgers, wild birds, foxes, even reptiles and amphibians.
Encouraging small business to give regularly to aid projects around the world
Each month we donate up to £250 to charities that are both secular and apolitical. If you would like to nominate a charity close to your heart for the remaining months of this year, please email me kate@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Franchise news
Derby opened with a splash
A great short read to help you deal with change in your life by Spencer Johnson The Art of Thinking Clearly A must read for those interested in why humans make the decisions they do and how to improve your own decision making process by Rolf Dobelli
New Depots opening this month: Chelmsford and Southend, East London, Slough, Motherwell, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Bolton, Coventry, Preston, Lichfield.
Franchise Focus: Sheffield Steve’s Diamond Franchise has been trading for the past 3 months. Our marketing department caught up with him to see how he is getting on. What is your Diamond Story?
Up at 06:30. Set off to work 7:15 - 7:30am open up at 0800hrs. Check to see if there are any exceptions, then move on to sales calling prospects to set up appointments. Follow up recently quoted prospects and attend meetings that have been set up. In the afternoon check exceptions and begin collections.
I have been selling forklift trucks for a number of years and whilst in the early days I could earn good money, it became harder and harder to sell £15,000 pieces of capital equipment and so commissions became less and less. So I began looking for the right opportunity to become self-employed and provide a good lifestyle for my family.
Deal with any issues that have arisen through the day and process manifests for carriers. Finally deliver any consignments to the carriers. But during that day there could be something to pick up in Dorset for delivery to a London Address or a customer wanting to send out 570 letters that day. Then home. All in a day’s work at Diamond.
Why Did you choose a Diamond Logistics Franchise?
If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Diamond Logistics came onto my radar in September 2013. I liked what I heard and had seen of the company so I made an enquiry to Kate. We had a long chat about what was expected of me and what I expected from Diamond. After talking it over with my wife we decided to meet with Kate. To say we were impressed was an understatement. I liked the way Kate talked about shared success and the company values and how we could make money. The next step was to meet Dan and some of the other franchisees which I did at the Franchise show at the NEC. This was a great insight into the business and to hear other people like myself talking about how it was working for them so I decided to invest in mine and my family’s future.
I would love to meet Richard Branson. I think what he has done for British business is amazing.
Tell us something interesting about yourself? I am qualified to teach you how to drive an Armoured Fighting Vehicle 432 and CVRT
No two days are the same here in Sheffield and that’s why I love it.
Client Focus: Corporate Baby Corporate Baby believe in having great customer service. By offering this and a high level of attention to detail in their gifts it means they are able to stand out from the rest.
Diamond Logistics have worked with Corporate Baby for the past year on helping them expand their delivery network. The trackable delivery service that Diamond provides means that Lara and her team can know instantly the status of a delivery. They can also pass on competitive rates to their clients supplied through Diamond’s unique multi-carrier solutions software.
To work in mutual benefit, delivering time-critical delivery solutions to our clients. To provide great career opportunities to our team and subcontractors. To contribute positively to society on local, regional and global levels. To be a really good company to trust, work for and to belong to.
Describe your typical working day as a Diamond Franchisee?
Corporate Baby creates unique and practical baby gifts for corporate companies and the public.
Our Mission Statement
Lara says ‘When we were choosing a logistics provider we wanted a company that shared our excellent customer service principles and it was comforting that Diamond could provide that for us. We are growing very fast and we are looking forward to increasing deliveries and working with Diamond for many years to come’ If you have a specific requirements or have any questions about their gifts, Lara can be contacted on 07843 246730 or info@corporatebaby.com.
www.corporatebaby.com
In-depth Service Profile Actual Warehouse The equivalent of a warehouse, despatch manager and delivery driver all rolled into one. The perfect outsourcing solutions to the very modern business.
pack your goods and then deliver direct-to your customers, engineers or back to your office - same day or overnight.
• YOUR stock stored in safe hands from one pallet to an entire warehouse
We will grow with you Flexible storage solutions to match your business from a single pallet to a fully racked warehouse
• YOUR goods despatched using the best carrier options • YOU do what you do best concentrating on your core business • WE do what we do best - running your warehouse and making sure your goods get to your customers Whether you require remote storage to supply your local engineers, traditional storage to save your office space or the most up to date and integrated fulfilment for your online business, Diamond has a solution for you. Our simple Actual Warehouse Stock Management System can integrate with your processes, whether traditional or E-tailbased. We can work with your on or offline ordering system to make any transaction a seamless part of your fulfilment. You can rely on us to keep an accurate inventory of your stored goods, pick and
Keep in touch! Surrey
Unit 9, The Pines Business Park Broad Street, Guildford Surrey, GU3 3BH t: 0845 591 7334 e: info@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Sussex
7b Durban Road South Bersted Industrial Estate Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 9QT t: 01243 885729 e: russell@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Southampton
Unit 30, Claylands Road Bishops Waltham, Hampshire SO32 1BH t: 02380 988919 e: nathan@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Norwich
Brooke Industrial Park, Norwich Road, Brooke, Norwich, NR15 1HJ t: 01603 859401 e: kevin.baker@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Actual Warehouse - The Facts
Simple FREE storage software for start-ups, or integrated systems for the serious E-tailer Stock control, management, pick creation and despatch inclusive options Integrated with our Multi Carrier Solutions Choosing the best despatch provider automatically Online booking,track and trace Easy to use online monitoring of consignments Proactive customer service We monitor all your despatches so you don’t have to Assured delivery
Case study - easy outsource fulfilment with Actual Warehouse Our client: A medium sized Internet based retailer selling prestige European motorcycle helmets Their speciality: Selling premium, funky, quality European helmets at a knock down price. Their problem: Their business can run from their home office BAR the import of pallets of helmets and sending orders from their online purchasers.They want to specialise in buying and marketing their product not running a warehouse and pick and pack function. Our solution: To provide an Actual Warehouse for their Virtual Business by providing storage, goods in,stock management, pick and pack, and despatch all rolled into one. Result: • Freed from the need to run a warehouse, despatch or stock management system or employ ANY staff for this function
We don’t rest until we know your goods are successfully delivered
• Easy to budget fixed per item despatch and low cost fixed monthly storage charges
South Devon
Birmingham
King Charles Business Park, Old Newton Road, Heathfield, Newton Abbot. Devon, TQ12 6UT t: 01626 817 975 e: southdevon@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Sheffield
Unit 6, Carbrook Industrial Estate Dunlop Street, Sheffield, S9 2HR t: 0114 299 4844 e: sheffield@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Scotland
Unit 9/10 Bigger Road Industrial Estate, Cleland, Motherwell, ML1 5PB t: 01698 442 336 e: cscotland@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Basildon
1 Noble Square, Courtauld Road, Basildon, Essex, SS13 1LS t: 01268 857 854 e: basildon@diamondlogistics.co.uk
• 100% breakeven on logistics costs
Unit 31, Evans Easy Space Middlemore Road, West Bromwich, B21 0AL t: 0121 667 8283 e: birmingham@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Slough
914 Yeovil Road, Slough, Trading Estate, SL1 4JA t: 01753 257 299 e: dean.russell@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Bolton
Unit 2, Moses Gate Workshops, Manchester Road, Bolton, Bl3 2QG t: 01204 896 359 e: asad.ullah@diamondlogistics.co.uk
Derby
Unit 5C Sinfin Industrial Estate, Sinfin Lane, Derby, Derbyshire, DE24 9GL t: 01332 897 674 e: derby@diamondlogistics.co.uk