Shippers and carriers have re-evaluated their respective procurement, project management and sales processes and strategies in the post-pandemic world. Recognizing there is now a ‘new normal’, many employees are now working from home permanently, and that means ongoing video conferencing (versus face-to-face meetings) and virtual events (versus in-person.)
“These situations are not reverting to the old normal any time soon, and that means our pre-pandemic strategies will likely never be effective again. This is particularly true for customers that manage large Mission Critical heavy haul projects that have previously been facilitated with a lot of face-to-face interaction” says David Hoppens, leader of the data center logistics team at Momentum Transportation, an award-winning Landstar agent.
Here are a few best practices that can better position your data center logistics team for success in the new normal:
#1: Design a Virtual Collaboration Environment That Creates Value
The number one way to sustain effective heavy haul project implementations across all customer, carrier, and construction site stakeholders, is to create a virtual collaboration platform. Utilizing Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, project management portals, or other similar programs will facilitate efficient, real time collaboration for key deliverables and enable your teams to manage Mission Critical projects more effectively. Key deliverables that are now managed virtually include:
- Exchange and validate cargo specifications and project shipment schedules
- Create virtual “face-to-face” connections via key stakeholder onboarding video meetings
- Conduct video tours at shipper and construction sites to validate proper access and routes
- Utilize daily or weekly team video sync meetings to adjust rapidly to sudden schedule changes
#2: Create Educational Content That Focuses on Solutions
Carriers that reach out to customers regularly through email newsletters, blog posts, videos, or webinars can now virtually provide:
- Regulatory updates
- Capacity demand updates
- Best practices information
Effective communication through these channels can help lower costs and reduce service risks during Mission Critical projects. This creates significant value for customers who previously gathered knowledge through vendor and site visits or in-person conferences that are no longer feasible in the new normal.
There’s good news: Engaging one another regarding our biggest challenges will elicit interest and a higher level of connection – and it can still be achieved virtually! For example, are you having conversations about:
- Top causes of expensive Mission Critical construction project delays and mitigation paths
- Prevention protocols for keeping projects on time and on budget
- Protecting your capacity as demand and supply chains rapidly shift
- The impact of planned & pop up highway construction projects on super-load transit time
#3: Now is the Time to Get Started
Waiting is not an option! We must move forward now in this time of uncertainty with strategies that will create value for all stakeholders, and virtual connectivity tools are a huge part of a winning strategy. Being transparent in our understanding of this rapidly changing environment fosters connectivity. Be bold and willing to discuss the most difficult challenges and risks faced during Mission Critical projects.
Are you ready to get on the road to improving collaboration and reducing costs within your data center operation? Contact one of Momentum Transportation’s knowledgeable data center logistics experts today for a consultation. When you work with us, we help you reduce costs through effective, real-time, virtual communication and project management tools that power through the new normal in the post-pandemic world. Get started today at www.landstar-agent.com.
About this blog’s contributors
An expert team of data center logistics experts at Momentum Transportation, an award-winning Landstar Agent, contributed to this blog post. Meet the team:
BECKY SCOTT, Key Account Manager
Becky came to Momentum Transportation 13 years ago with a background in sales and marketing. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of North Florida. Becky has held various positions within the company, allowing her to grow her expertise in domestic (truckload, LTL, heavy and specialized) and international (ocean and air) logistics. She is currently focused on further developing our mission critical business segment.
DAVID HOPPENS, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
David brings over 30 years of transportation and supply chain services experience to Momentum Transportation. His sales, marketing and business unit leadership at companies including CSX Transportation, Pacer International and U.S. Xpress, make him the ideal person to lead sales and marketing. He has served as President and Chairman of the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Florida.