Perhaps every employee once begins to think about starting his own business. Currently, despite the apparent saturation of the markets, there are still loopholes thanks to which you can open and successfully develop your business. But which direction to choose? What is promising today and what is not? In our material, we would like to tell you about how to open a logistics company.
When is demand ahead of supply?
The development of markets and production unwittingly generates large volumes of goods that need to be delivered to customers in different parts of the world. On the way, the cargo can be repeatedly reloaded. Therefore, there is a need to create the most simple and at the same time cheap routes.
Logistics is a business that just determines the most optimal transport option for a particular product and the shortest route. In addition, specialists are working to ensure that the cargo is correctly handled, remains intact, and arrives to the client on time.
Starting from $ 10,000
Entrepreneurs who have already earned capital in this case, note that logistics is an extremely profitable business. Moreover, the demand for it significantly exceeds the real supply. In order to start this business, it is enough to have an amount of $ 10,000. With this money, you can start thinking about how to open a logistics company.
It’s worth starting with documents. You need to open an LLC, then you can recruit staff. In order for things to go uphill, of course, it is advisable to have experience in this area. You should be at least a little aware of what difficulties you have to overcome. If you have money for the business, but there is no experience, then in this case it is reasonable to take a good logistician as a co-founder or partner.
Have to fork out
We mentioned recruitment. Let's dwell on this issue. Logistic companies are valued by customers in that they can solve the problem with the minimum cost of money and on time. Therefore, your employees will be required to communicate at the customs, government agencies and forwarding companies. The minimum wage threshold for this specialty is $ 250.
If a person has real practical experience and has connections in the above structures, then in this case he can count on a salary of $ 2000 and above. The obligations of the logistician include the execution of the purchase of goods, careful control of documents, various customer contracts, shipments of suppliers, monitoring the timing of transactions.
Some companies are experimenting and accepting even former law enforcement officers as logisticians. They say that such an experience is justified. "Siloviks" have many connections in government agencies, and their ability to think analytically and compare various facts allows delivering goods to customers with minimal time and money.
Entering the market is not easy
It is worth noting that the revenues of really serious players in this market can amount to tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. True, a serious problem is precisely wedging oneself on the market of a young company. The fact is that large customers do not run the risk of working with one-day organizations, to which your company will probably be ranked for the first time.
They give their preference only to proven mastodons of the market. In addition, experienced companies must insure the cargo and bear full financial responsibility for it.Beginners often simply cannot provide this. However, the demand for logistics today is such that customers often cooperate with young companies if they have positive reviews and can offer affordable prices.
Competition is the engine of everything
The development of this business is greatly facilitated by competition. It forces suppliers and manufacturers to reduce the cost of their products, due to which they have to earn on the volumes of goods sold. As a result, the volume of work that falls on the logistics business is significantly increasing.
It is worth noting that many companies specifically appeal to large organizations in order to maintain the image of their brand. Against this background, experts predict a further increase in demand for logistics. In order to open a logistics company, in addition to registering your company, you will need to find a good office.
It so happened that customers judge the reliability of a company by where it has an office and how luxurious it is. Agree, if the organization has a lot of problems, it is unlikely to give the latter to the maintenance of luxury apartments. If you are just starting a business, you can rent a small room, but preferably in the city center. In addition, you will need several computers, office equipment and experienced staff. You must understand that their success will depend on their professionalism.
How to open a logistics company: a business plan
However, do not immediately rush into the pool with your head. Before you start investing in this business, be sure to consider all the risks. Evaluate your capabilities and estimate the estimated profit. Be sure to make a business plan. Thanks to him, you can always understand what you have already done and what you still have to do.
The first thing to do when developing a business plan is to compile a summary of your project, where its goals are analyzed. Next, you need to describe the company. At the same time, statistical data are used on points of sale, which require the effective operation of the entire logistics structure. In addition, the whole range of goods that the company will deal with is determined, its analysis against the background of the current consumer market.
The description should include marketing research. They are carried out on the basis of quantitative and qualitative analysis and information gathering with the help of a deep structured and, of course, expert interviews, basic telephone interview. The purpose of research is to identify the real situation of a particular market segment and its prospects.
Location matters
Experienced entrepreneurs say that special attention should be paid to the location of your company. Determine the class of the complex, its area, construction time. It is equally important to enter into a lease, if the construction of a logistics center will be carried out by other persons. When working in the field of logistics, you must understand the possible risks.
Economists say that in this type of project there are about 50-60 different risks. At the same time, 18% of them are the so-called "high" risk, then comes the "medium" - 66%, and only 16% can be attributed to the "low". The level of integral risk is within 17.7%. During the construction period, legal, entrepreneurial, financial and construction risks must be taken into account.
Speak loudly about yourself
Experienced entrepreneurs say that in order to successfully start work, you need to organize a good advertising campaign for your business. Create your own website, advertise in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television. Social networks work very well in this regard. To really start talking about you, think about what to call a logistics company. It should sound simple and clear. In the future, this name may become a brand. Therefore, call your “ship” ambitious so that it will sail to the right harbor.
