Every year companies start doing business in the new year the same way they ended up doing business. They get busy and focused on putting together budgets that appease upper management, while allowing for slack in their individual silos.
Many companies keep their same suppliers and the same routine the suppliers have with them. They continue to allow their suppliers to do business “as is” and not force them to change and present cost-effective packaging design options.
In today's business world, and with the tremendous growth of e-Commerce, it's more critical than ever before to have the right company focusing their efforts to help you. And as a possible entrepreneur in e-commerce, you may only have one chance to "wow" your customers and you will need to get that right the first time.
Whether in e-Commerce or not, isn’t it time to finally break your routine and see what your packaging partner can really do on your behalf? Here are 8 packaging resolution ideas we came up and I’m sure you can think of a lot more!
NEW Year’s Packaging Resolutions:
- Meet with your supplier early on and re-establish the goals you identified when you first started using this packaging company.
1. It is critical to listen to a company’s needs and goals and not have your supplier push what they think you need. That supplier then confirms those needs and goals and develops action plans before taking any further steps. Further meetings should be scheduled as follow up to ensure those plans are in place and results are as planned.
- Ask your packaging supplier if they understand your “supply chain” and all facets of it and how would they handle any change to that chain without disrupting supply.
- A creative product packaging design supplier in your company’s supply chain must take into consideration how high the product package is stacked, the humidity conditions of where it is stored, the amount of time it will sit, how the packaging is handled, how it is shipped and where it is shipped to, and any other conditions your end retail customer impose on your company.
- Reduce your raw material floor inventory.
- If your packaging company doesn’t maintain and manage the inventory at their facility, or if they refuse to, consider a second source that is willing to work with you. Your floor space is valuable and should be utilized for work in process and finished goods, not raw materials.
- Spend less time with a multitude of suppliers and consolidate your packaging to more of a “one-stop-shop”. Put the puzzle pieces together!
- Many packaging suppliers can do more than just provide wholesale shipping boxes or packaging supplies, and in many cases, can do it better than you are having it done now through your current source.
- Allow yourself more time to focus on your products and increasing your sales and profits.
- Increase your unique product brand awareness in your markets.
- What changes can be made to your packaging that will allow your branded product to stand out in the market and have more customers identify with your brand? Your packaging supplier should provide options and have answers for you.
- Ensure your products are packaged with recycled materials that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, with minimal fillers and easy-open features.
- Some major box stores are insisting on certain %’s of recycled materials and eliminating waste in the corrugated packaging box.
- Amazon has a program going with their suppliers that will penalize companies that have wasted space in their packaging and using materials that aren’t eco-friendly. Amazon has become the trend setter in the eCommerce business world!
- Have your packaging supplier develop a Case Study that includes testimonials and pictures of your packaging on their websites,
- Case Studies, Portfolios and Testimonials are informative and reflect a customer’s products, allowing for "free" advertising on your behalf.
- Suppliers and companies you might work with in the future can get an idea of your company and the ease of doing business with you.
- Improve your sales and profits!
- A good supplier won’t succeed if you don’t and they use your success as a barometer of their success. If your packaging partner will manage your packaging, it will allow your company to focus on your core-competencies!
The above packaging resolutions are by no means a complete list of all you can do this New Year to improve your costs and eliminate useless work, but it’s a good start and one you shouldn’t avoid to kick-start this New Year! Stay tuned to our website for more ideas and packaging tips that WILL help eliminate waste, improve sales and increase margins for your company in 2023!
If you have already decided that 2023 will be the year your packaging will be more efficient and user-friendly than ever, and you feel you could use some help making that happen, without any obligation, please schedule a brief meeting with our experts to get discussions going today! Keep in mind you can always call us immediately at 877-522-6937 to get answers!
Bill Madl 440-488-2022 (cell)
Trainer, Coach and Consultant to the Packing Industry since 1950.