Do you find that sometimes, your business inventory is just hard to manage? Maybe you feel as though things are getting out of hand and that you just aren’t keeping track of things like you should be. Either way, if this sounds like you then you are not alone. It’s more than possible for you to make a positive change for your business if you know what steps you need to take today.
Choosing your Software
The first thing you need to do is choose your software carefully. You need to find something suited to your business and you also need to explore different review sites. With so many recent developments, especially in the cloud computing industry, you now have access to a range of software for a very affordable fee. If you invest in software then this will give you the chance to check stock levels in real-time, and you can also get an idea of how much you need to order. Start by doing your research early to choose a robust inventory management system that suits your needs and requirements.
Know your Inventory
When managing your inventory, it’s so important that you have access to key information. If you can’t accurately and easily find the answers you are looking for then now is the time for you to get that sorted out. Find out how much of X you have in stock right now, and also take the time to find out how much of Y you have sold in the last six months to a year. If you can do this, and if you can take the time to learn your best sellers then this will help you to understand your business so you can make a solid change for the future. You can also start to draw comparisons and make reports so you can understand how much you think you are going to sell off a particular product going forward.
Streamline your Work
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time for you to think about how you are going to prioritize your workload and how you are going to deal with various scenarios at work. Have guidelines in place for how you intend to deal with situations that may arise, for example, your busiest months. Having some guidelines in place means you can create a more streamlined process and this will help you out a lot going forward. Having a resolution process will help you out a lot too, as it will help you to stay efficient while also helping you to make the most out of your growing company.
Conduct Manual Stock Counts
Whether your company has invested in inventory management or not, undertaking a regular stock count will help you to confirm the items you have right now. This is very important if you know that your product has a short shelf life. While this may sound like a very tedious job, it helps you to come across stolen or obsolete goods. It also means that if there is ever a glitch in your system, you still have a very rough idea of what you have, so you can resolve and identify issues going forward. If you need some help with your inventory then one thing you can do is look into self-storage. That way you can keep certain products away from others, which could help you out a lot going forward.
Drop-Shipping
Drop-shipping companies can be run from almost anywhere. The only thing you need to do is make sure that you have an internet connection. Any products you have will be sent from the manufacturer right to your clients if you adopt a dropshipping model. Traditional companies have to store their stock in a warehouse, but if you opt for the dropshipping model then you will be able to send your products directly so you can significantly reduce your overheads here. At the end of the day, all you need to operate this kind of model is a phone and a laptop. If you can make sure that you have either of these options then you will be able to access stock from anywhere else in the world. With that in mind, you’ll need to keep track of things and you will also need to adopt good drop shipping software. If you don’t then you may find it much harder to keep track of things, because you won’t be able to see what has been sent out and what hasn’t, which is the last thing you need.
Creating a Standardized Process
Many businesses identify what works for them through trial and error. This happens over a period of time. If you don’t have a lot of experience mapping out your process, then make sure that you put a lot of time in here and also plan everything. Think about what structure works for you and also consider your staff, your space and your environment. Current demand is also very important. Try and avoid doing tasks as and when they are due, because if you do this then you may find that you end up struggling as you will be constantly playing catch-up. If you can adopt this process then it will help you out a lot in the future, especially if your business gets to the point where it can expand.
Organize the Stockroom
Be strict when the time comes for you to organize your storeroom or your warehouse. It may feel like a monumental task but it will help your company to operate in a way that is much more efficient. If your warehouse is disorganized and chaotic then you may find that you end up losing inventory, revenue and even customers. If you want to help yourself here, then self-storage is an option. With that in mind, you need to try and make use of vertical space. Put all of your best-selling items in clear sight and invest in good storage units, as mentioned above. Having a labeling system is also very important. If you haven’t done so already.
Build a Relationship with Suppliers
When mistakes happen, it is a very good idea for you to rely on your suppliers. They may mean the difference between losing customers and establishing valuable trust. If you want to build your relationships then one thing you can do is make sure that your level of communication is both friendly and clear. If you stay on top of your relationships and if you take the time to manage your inventory then everything becomes easier. In addition to being able to build a solid rapport, it’s so important that you monitor your suppliers. Make sure that you are getting a good price and that they are not making your life harder. It’s worth knowing if your vendor has dropped the quality of their products as well because if they have, then this will make things much more difficult for you when it comes to customer complaints. You may find that you are not able to give them the support they need, because you didn’t know that the vendor had changed recipes or the way the product is made, so be mindful of this as it could help you a lot in the future.
So as you can see, it’s now easier than ever for you to manage your business. You simply need to make sure that you keep track of your inventory and that you take steps to work with people who can be trusted.
