Heading out? Don't forget this to-do list!

In our previous blog we focused on the plan phase of the plan-do-check-act process. In the do phase, it's time to – you guessed it – start doing.

1. Get Doing

Get in, start driving. It's called the 'do' phase for a reason. So.

2. Document It

Document what you do, and do it in such a way that you can still use that data later. More on that in a later blog.

3. Let Go

Last week, we visited a new branch of a large, reputable logistics company. That branch is being set up entirely top-down. Everything is super tightly organized; everyone knows exactly what needs to be done, when, and in what order. Operational excellence to the max! So they think. We don't. It feels like you're turning Google into a pull-down menu. That's how you keep everything nicely under control. Stop with those pull-down menus! Why? Read on…

4. Beat the System

Give your drivers the freedom to become better than the system. To stay in touch with our market, we regularly go out with couriers. For example, some time ago, I was in the car with a – to put it mildly – difficult driver. He absolutely hated that the order of his route was fixed. He started experimenting, trying to beat the system. And he was quite good at it!

5. Beat Yourself

Let your people improve themselves. In games and sports apps, it's not just about beating someone else; it's also about how well you perform compared to yourself. For example, look at sports apps. (Or if you don't like sports, check out Red Dead Redemption. Version 2, that is.) Letting people improve themselves is also more motivating. If you have to beat someone else, there are a thousand reasons why someone else scores better. If you have to beat yourself, those reasons don't exist. This is also just like with Google. The more you Google, the better you understand which terms to use to get better results. Let your couriers compete with themselves, and they will become the best version of themselves.

6. Improvise

Planning is dynamic, and that dynamism is reflected in the do phase. In our previous blog we already said it. If you don't plan, you're winging it. If you do plan and you have to adjust your schedule, then you're improvising. If you're on the road, you need to make adjustments. If it's a one-off, leave it. If it becomes structural, then you need to fix something. Just re-read point 2: to know if it's structural, you first need to record it.

7. Communicate

Every situation is different. That's okay; you can use that information for the next planning. Because real planning is done based on knowledge, facts, and experiences you've recorded. But respond to those changes. If you can't make a time slot, communicate about it. Let them know you'll be late, and preferably why. Flat tire, wife in labor, or stuck in traffic? Let them know. Chances are your customer will understand.

8. Make a Choice

Now the choice is yours: step out or unsubscribe.

Step out of your car and out of your ingrained patterns. Go back to start and try again tomorrow. Every day, you and your drivers will be better prepared.

Do you hate this story and have you been dreaming of Google with a pull-down menu for years? Do you like a plan where everyone knows exactly what needs to be done, when, and in what order, but especially not why? Then quickly unsubscribe from our blogs. Then we will never bore you with our stories again.

Are you sticking around?

Great! In a few weeks, we'll zoom in on the check phase. Do you want to know more now so you can get through the holidays calmly? Feel free to contact us via the contact form or call us at 030 – 7600 018. In the meantime, our advice is: trust your people. Nobody starts a job to mess things up. Everyone wants to become the best version of themselves. Give them that trust.