Welcome back! 2024 is moving fast. 💨 As July slips into our rearview, the Red Sea crisis continues to tug at the seams of international trade. There's never been a more important time to focus on supply chain resilience. In this week's edition of The Backorder:
- Senate report reveals 45% of warehouse workers get injured on Prime Day
- Your pre-purchase checklist for buying new business software
- How Rebecca Caughey launched a successful food import business
- Job opportunities from ALDI, Instacart, and more
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In supply chain headlines
- Nearly 50% of Amazon warehouse employees get injured around Prime Day. A recent report, produced by the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, says the rush around Prime Day deliveries results in a high number of workplace injuries at Amazon's warehouses, writes CNN.
- Commercial fleet industry set to transform 'beyond recognition' by 2040. A convergence of new technologies, services, and greater connectivity will radically reshape the fleet sector according to Shell's latest Future of Fleet report.
- Assaulting a shopworker to become a standalone offence in the UK. Retail industry bodies are praising the amended Crime and Policing bill, announced in the King's Speech, which aims to protect shop owners and staff from attacks and thefts, explains Talking Retail.
How to shop for business software: Investigation Checklist
Automated business solutions are inevitable when it comes to business growth. But for each category, there are countless software options available. To be sure you’re investing in the right tool, use this checklist as a cautious buying guide:
✅Know your needs: Needs identification should inform which type of software you invest in and when. Before you start looking for solutions, ask, “What problems am I trying to solve?”
✅Ask your stakeholders: Speak to all key members of the company – from the people who will be using the software to the people deciding your budget – to outline the types of solutions you require and can afford.
✅Chat with a business advisor: Accountants and business consultants typically have experience with many software solutions and can usually recommend systems best suited to your company.
✅Consider your existing tech stack: If you’ve already got a few systems in place, look for solutions that integrate with these tools to provide a holistic flow of data across the business.
✅Review sites: Read user reviews and product feature comparisons on software review websites like Capterra, GetApp, and G2.
✅Can they be trusted? Check out websites like Trustpilot and TrustRadius to learn about the reliability, customer support, and transparency of the software provider.
✅Case studies: Read customer stories from businesses similar to yours that have used the software to solve the same problems you’re facing. These can usually be found on the software provider's website.
✅Compare competitors: Compare features, pricing, accessibility, and customer reviews between similar products to determine which is the better fit for you.
✅Watch a demo: Most software vendors will be able to provide live or pre-recorded demos of the software that gives you an idea of how it works, how it looks, and how easy it is to use.
✅Take a free trial: Some solutions will offer a free trial that allows you to explore the software and get accustomed to the functionality for free before you commit to a monthly subscription.
Championing bold brands – meet Rebecca Caughey
We sat down with Rebecca Caughey, Co-owner of Cook & Nelson – a food import business that imports and markets brands that are challenging or creating categories. Their product range includes Seedlip, McClures Pickles, Tony’s Chocolonely, NON, and True Gum. She shared her thoughts with us about what goes into building a successful brand.
Why did you decide to launch Cook & Nelson?
"My husband Nick and I decided to start a business together when our kids were very young so we could be there for them – that was 9 years ago, and we’re still building! Nick has a true passion for food, and I love marketing, so we started importing products and learnt everything as we went!"
What are the best parts of being a business owner?
"I love the feeling of fording new paths, climbing mountains, having your career rest on your shoulders and not living someone else’s dream."
How do you deal with fear and doubt?
"Fear and doubt become part of daily life when you're a business owner. I believe that if you have an amazing team around you, products that excite you, and a legion of people who you trust and support, you find a way to just keep on moving forward. You need to trust your instincts and determine whether it’s fear and doubt because you’re doing something you’ve never done before, or just your inner voice asking if you’re truly on the right path."
What have been your biggest learning experiences?
"Every day is a learning experience! But we always remind ourselves of two things: relationships are everything, and don’t sweat the small stuff."
Who is your greatest role model?
"My family are my greatest inspiration and role models. My Dad is an incredible businessman, my sister is my voice of reason, and my Mum is always cheering me on from the sideline. They are the reason I keep forging my own path."
What are your top 3 tips for success working in the supply chain?
"1) Work with incredible people who understand supply chains – I’m very creative and light on detail, so this is essential for us! 2) Try to get as many efficiencies as possible in your systems so you can spend more time growing your business and working on the bigger picture. 3) Review everything constantly to make sure you’re getting the best results."
On the lighter side
Who's hiring?
- B&M is hiring a Replenishment Manager (Reading, UK)
- ALDI is hiring a Purchasing Officer (Minchinbury, NSW, Australia)
- Bunnings is hiring a Merchandise Planner (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Instacart is hiring a Senior Retail Insights Associate (Remote, Canada)
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