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Archive for May, 2009
The Last Mile Solution – It Tastes Good
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
If you have ever had the pleasure of dining at a fine restaurant like the Palm or McCormick and Schmick’s, you may have wondered how they have such fresh seafood delivered that day for their special entrees of the evening. Now there are certainly many local food distribution companies, but I’m talking about the freshest lobsters, off the farm tomatoes and even beef. These restaurants have discovered the speed and effectiveness of using what is called the Last Mile Delivery option. Simply put, these restaurants can put the freshest food on their customers’ plates in a short amount of time because they ship this food “on-demand.”
Everyday in markets across the country my nationwide logistics company, Hot Shot Logistics, ensures that these restaurant owners are getting the most time to place the order and still get their food in time for the dinner rush that evening. We manage and coordinate the final delivery to their restaurant door.
Here is how it works: As a restaurant approaches a sell-out of a particular item, they simply place the order and within a few hours, it has been flown in at the peak of freshness and Hot Shot Logistics handles it from there. Or, suppose the chef hears of a recent catch that had an abundance of a particular type of fish. The chef has a great recipe that would compliment this fish. That morning, the order is placed, the fish is flown in and today’s special is printed on the menu as the fish are being unloaded. Talk about Fresh! The Last Mile Solution definitely tastes good.
Restaurant owners like this process because it keeps their product at it’s freshest, keeps them from wasting food due to over-ordering and can keep them from running an unprofitable special.
I use the restaurant business as an example, but this Last Mile Delivery option can be utilized by many businesses in multiple industries. Expedited shipping does not have to be more costly than overnight shipping. In fact, a faster supply chain often means more profit and more time for everyone.
If you want to get more information on how this process may work for you, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below and I’ll respond.
Until Next Time,
Eric
Why We Need Vacations
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
I recently had the pleasure of taking a few days off to head down to Galveston to spend some time with my family and a few days away from the hustle and bustle of my Houston Same Day Delivery Company, Hot Shot Delivery. I can’t stress enough the importance of taking a vacation – even a short one – several times a year. It boosts your economic well being along with your mental well being. It’s not something to be taken lightly – vacations are a must and here are 5 reasons why:
1. Stress Reliever – Sure, traveling with 3 young daughters can be seen by some as stressful, but, to me, it is a great time away from the courier service office. It’s a change of pace, a new scenery and the opportunity to take a deep breath and go with the flow. People often underestimate the importance of this time away and put it off until it is too late. The stress can pile up and with no release, you begin to jeopardize your health.
2. Physical Health – Getting outside, breathing the fresh air, soaking up some Vitamin D and moving around for a few days is going to be better than being hunched over behind a big monitor that is probably too close to your eyes. Juggling deadlines, customer service, human resource issues and the many areas related to running a business is a mental and physical drain on your body. You need to hit the reset button every few months.
3. Economic Health – Not only for the tourist economy, but for your own pocketbook. Sounds odd to some I’m sure, but there is proof behind this concept. Often, when taking the time to get away, you actually free your brain from being bogged down by the daily operations of your business and get back to the free-flowing ideas of the vacationing right side of your brain. You also take the time to read new articles or books and get in to discussions about business ideas without worrying about missing a deadline or dealing with a daily crisis. Some of my most profitable ideas have come when fishing with my dad in the middle of nowhere. You can’t always get that type of brainstorming in a room full of whiteboards and suits.
4. Family Time – I know that you are busy in your own life, but combine that with the lives of your spouse and your kids. My family alone is bouncing back and forth between schools, dancing, day care and tons of other extracurricular activities. I’m lucky to get dedicated time with one of my daughters at a time, much less all three and my wife. However, on a vacation, there is nothing else to do but spend time together. These are the memories that your children will have and think fondly of as they age. This should be a huge priority for you, if you want to maintain the sanity and love within your tight knit group.
The Beauty of A Vacation
5. Fun – Not much to explain here. Getting away is fun. Trying new things, re-doing old things, catching up with friends, making new friends… whatever. Get out there and do it.
As I close, I think of the fond memories from my short trip to Galveston, fishing trips with my dad, our recent trip to Disney and the many more that are in our future. Be sure to cherish this time with your family and don’t deny yourself the chance to unwind, relax and recharge. You will thank yourself later.
Until Next Time,
Eric
5 Ways To Ace An Interview
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
After last week’s blog about people who blow their chances at a job by making thoughtless errors and mistakes in an interview, I figured I should follow up with a list of ways to ace an interview. Like I said before, I have learned a lot about hiring and firing over the years in my Houston Courier Company, Hot Shot Delivery. Whether it is sales, customer service, operations, IT, accounting or courier delivery contractors, the process to get good help is pretty much the same each time. Taking the time to interview is a process that is well worth it. You reap the benefits by getting long term, loyal employees and contractors.
So, let’s get in to it…
5 Ways to Ace an Interview:
1. Talking Points – Any seasoned PR professional will tell you that the secret to a good media interview is to pick your talking points and stick to them as you communicate your message. The same is true with a job interview. Brainstorm 2-3 points that you want the interviewer to know about you and find ways to insert them in to the conversation.
2. Practice The Standard Questions – do an internet search for “common interview questions” and print that list out and start practicing. The easy ones are “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”, “Why do you think you are right for this job?”, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, etc… Have these questions in your mind and be ready to answer them with eye-contact and confidence.
3. Interview the Interviewer – People naturally like to talk about themselves and their interests. Use this knowledge to prepare a big list of questions for your interviewer. But, a word of caution, make sure these questions are relevant and intelligent. The way to do this is to do research about the company. Go through the website, find press releases, find information in forums, check in to social media/networking sites and more to get a good grasp of the company, the management philosophy and how you would fit in with this environment.
4. Mirror Tells All - 93% of what you are communicating in an interview will come from non-verbal cues. How you sit in the chair, what you do with your hands, eye contact, etc… These things will tell an interviewer how interested you are in the position, how familiar you are with the subject at hand and your level of confidence. If you are not sure how you look as you answer the questions, practice in front of the mirror. That will give you a good point of reference and an idea of what to work to fix.
5. Follow-Up – I know I’m only speaking for myself and my Houston Same Day Delivery business, but I have a feeling most business owners feel the same…. I’m VERY busy. You may be the most qualified candidate for the job, but I may have had a business issue that has pulled my attention away from the hiring process. It is your job to follow-up with me. You want the job, you should follow-up to find out how the process is advancing. Now, another word of caution, do not follow-up 10 times in one week. That takes persistence to a level of nagging and annoyance. Use your best judgment in this area.
Those are my bits of advice for people going through the interview process. I wish you all well and don’t worry – if you are looking for a job, the right fit will come along.
Till Next Time,
Eric
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