The sky-high price of ‘we've been doing it this way for years’

Written by: Kendra

Excuses against route optimisation unravelled

As a wholesale logistics planner, you may have occasionally said, ‘We've been doing it this way for years’ when it comes to optimisation. This phrase seems innocuous, but appearances are deceptive. It is a common excuse for maintaining the status quo and rejecting change, such as route optimisation. But why is there such resistance to change? By sticking to old ways of working, you not only run the risk of inefficiency, but you also waste time and money that could benefit your organisation in other ways. In this article, we take a look at three excuses against optimisation and explain why they are no longer sustainable.

‘’Our drivers are so attached to it‘’

With staff who have been loyal to your company for years and drive the same routes every day, attachment to traditional ways of working is understandable. It can be challenging to motivate drivers to change, especially if they are used to their own routines. This can lead to resistance and reduced efficiency. However, change can actually lead to greater efficiency and less stress. Training and communication can help drivers see the benefits of optimised routes, such as shorter working hours, fewer delays and lower fuel costs. As the person in charge, you also certainly understand the value of satisfied staff, which is why you want to maintain the relationship with your drivers. One way you do this is by making their work as easy as possible, so they experience more job satisfaction and can be home earlier.

‘’We have manual route planning on paper‘’

Do you find yourself daily among piles of papers of orders, packing slips, routes and rosters with available drivers and vehicles? And do you then put these papers in different piles to hand out to drivers? While manual planning on paper can feel familiar, it is often time-consuming and error-prone. This can lead to inefficiencies, resulting in higher operational costs and dissatisfied customers. Many logistics staff feel the pressure to reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction. If that is one of your goals, manual route planning is not going to succeed. Digital solutions offer opportunities for real-time adjustments, better data processing and analytics that manual planning simply cannot provide. Investing in technology can increase productivity and reduce errors.

‘’But we've been doing it this way for years‘’

With technological developments, changing customer expectations, globalisation and sustainability, such as zero-emission zones, the logistics sector is always on the move. Despite this, many logistics workers use the excuse ‘we've been doing it this way for years’ when it comes to route optimisation. With this information, you would expect them to be aware of the need to change with the times to stay ahead of the competition. It also appears that tradition does not guarantee efficiency. What worked in the past may no longer be suitable for current conditions, such as changing customer expectations and rising fuel prices. Innovation and optimisation are crucial to stay competitive. By embracing new methods such as route optimisation, companies can adapt and grow.

The benefits of route optimisation

Change remains exciting, but without friction no shine. In this case, without optimisation no efficiency. Sticking to the above excuses wastes an awful lot of time and financial resources. This is a waste and makes the company a thief of its own wallet. Route optimisation, on the other hand, offers a simple way to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs. Modern route optimisation software uses sophisticated algorithms to calculate the most efficient routes, taking into account variables such as traffic information, delivery times and vehicle capacity.

By applying route optimisation, you can reduce fuel costs, reduce drivers' working hours and increase customer satisfaction. This leads not only to direct cost savings, but also to improved competitiveness. Companies that operate efficiently can often deliver faster and cheaper, which is a strong selling point in a competitive market. The savings can be reinvested in new technologies, improving customer service or expanding the fleet to serve more customers. Some of the savings can also be used to support sustainability initiatives, such as switching to electric vehicles or reducing CO2 emissions. This not only strengthens the company's image, but also makes it better prepared for future regulations and market developments.

Conclusion: time for change

The real cost of ‘we've been doing it this way for years’ is high, but fortunately there is a solution. By embracing route optimisation, you can reduce these hidden costs and prepare your business for further growth and success. It is time to say goodbye to outdated methods and invest in technologies that make your work easier, more efficient and more profitable. Your organisation deserves not only to keep up with the times, but to be at the forefront of the market.

Why sticking to ‘we've been doing it this way for years’ is an expensive mistake

We understand that sticking to old ways of working is tempting because it is familiar and comfortable. But in a fast-changing industry like logistics, this comfort can cost you dearly. Not optimising your routes means wasting money, time and opportunities. While you stick to ‘we've been doing it this way for years’, your competitors may already be implementing technologies that give them an edge.

It's time to take a critical look at the way you work. Ask yourself: how much is it actually costing my organisation to stick to this way of working? What savings and benefits am I missing out on by not optimising? By answering these questions, you can pave the way for improvements that not only increase efficiency, but also reduce your costs and make your business stronger for the future.