Download Transportation Consulting Best Practices

Renowned business strategist Tom Peters once highlighted, "Leaders win through logistics. Vision, sure. Strategy, yes...but then there's that tiny, yet crucial, matter of execution." Pertaining to execution, an elemental aspect calling for due diligence is Transportation Management, which can markedly enhance Strategic Planning, Change Management, and Operational Excellence.

Role of Strategic Transportation Management

In a highly mechanized and globalized market, it is paramount for organizations to not just comprehend, but also capitalize on the potential of superior transportation management. According to recent data from Gartner, companies that excel in transportation management achieve a freight spend savings of 5%-20%. The same study underlines the contribution of best-in-class Logistics, including transportation, towards a sustainable competitive advantage and improved bottom-line.

A Proactive Approach

Proactive Management is pivotal in transportation. We've seen the traditional air, road, sea, rail transportation networks evolve to employ IoT, predictive analytics, and AI/ML solutions. Accenture affirms this trend by revealing businesses that have proactively adopted these Digital Transformation solutions have jumped ahead in their service delivery standards, knocking down their operating costs by as much as 30%.

Implementing Advanced Supply Chain

The implementation of advanced Supply Chain Visibility platforms can provide Real-Time data on delivery status, shipment location, and even tracking and tracing of raw materials. McKinsey’s 2020 Report on Supply Chain 4.0 emphasizes the ability of these platforms to handle Black Swan events, thereby endorsing it as a necessity for Risk Management.

Regulatory Compliance

While streamlining operations, it is critical to consider Regulatory Compliance. Governments across the globe establish directives to ensure safety, prompt service, reasonable pricing, and environmental sustainability. Bain & Co's Global Logistic Trends Report, showcases businesses maintaining clear record-keeping and compliance, carving a niche for themselves amongst Fortune 500 companies.

Emphasis on Green Logistics

Sustainability and Green Logistics have subtly moved from being just an industry buzz to execution in full throttle. The Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) research estimates that by 2030, approximately 80% of all logistics providers in the developed world will switch to sustainable options, thereby linking transportation to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Partnering gains momentum

DHL’s Logistics Trend Radar for 2021 furthers the insight regarding a growing trend of shippers and carriers partnering to pool resources and tackle the challenges of capacity, cost, and carbon footprint. These collaborations can lead to significant savings in the freight sector and behave as a crucial element of business transformation. The logistics partnership of Amazon with Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, for 100,000 electric delivery vehicles, underscores this aspect.

AI in Transportation Management

AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data Analytics are transforming transportation management beyond recognition. Goldman Sachs projects the value of AI in Logistics can reach a whopping $52.3B by 2025. Predictive analytics, automated route planning, demand forecasting, and smart contract management are few practices where AI has revolutionized efficiency.

Workforce Training and Development

Last but definitely not least, talent management, training, and staff development are central to achieving Operational Excellence. Deloitte’s 2021 Global Human Capital Trends report indicates the importance of investing in soft skills—adaptable, resilient, and collaborative—becomes more significant in a world relying heavily on digital platforms and autonomy.

In a rapidly shifting environment, strategic management of transportation can not only act as a catalyst for effective change management but also amplify operational excellence and risk management. Embracing emerging technologies, ensuring compliance, maintaining partnerships, and investing in workforce skills reinforcement, all under the broader umbrella of Strategic Planning, can augment and capitalize upon current and future opportunities in the transportation sector.