Tom Ward’s Post

5 days before Christmas and consumers are looking for ways to get their gifts on time... but the truth is that supply capacity is limited How do supply chains prepare to avoid customer dissatisfaction? 🎄Setting cut-off times ➡ Determine when you'll stop taking orders based on your capacity 🎄Postponing delivery dates ➡Incentivizing consumers to push their required delivery date 🎄Maximize visibility ➡Sharing order status is key, but additionally you can share the WHY If you prep to have this level of visibility your customer support team's time How can we be better consumers? ❄ Plan our gifts in advance (take advantage of sales deals like black friday) ❄ Giving gifts after the 25th of December (no one dies if you do this) ❄ Rethinking our motivation for giving gifts: is it because of our love language or because we have been pressured to do so? What would be the worst thing that would happen if you, as a consumer, didn't get your gifts on time? I bet you the world won't fall appart ☃ Remember supply chain professionals have families too and they'd love to enjoy these holidays too

Company Spotlight 🔍 (Shopping Season Series 🛍 ) As we approach the shopping season, starting with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’d like to share a few words about our portfolio company, PDQ (PrettyDamnQuick), which released an e-book, guiding online retailers to success during the biggest shopping events of the year. How PDQ Is Revolutionizing E-Commerce Fulfillment and Delivery In the fiercely competitive e-commerce space, logistics efficiency is not just a necessity—it's a major profit generator. Giants like Amazon and Alibaba have dominated this realm by leveraging their massive fulfillment networks to provide the ultimate shipping experience. But what about other online retailers struggling to keep up? PDQ (PrettyDamnQuick) comes in with a robust solution that levels the playing field. PDQ seamlessly integrates with e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, and Warehouse Management Systems like ShipBob, enabling retailers to optimize delivery options and manage fulfillment as efficiently as their larger counterparts. At the core of PDQ's solution is the logistics engine that enables retailers to prioritize orders, manage delivery tiers, and offer a range of shipping options that were previously out of reach for most online retailers. With PDQ, retailers can now provide top-tier checkout experiences, which is essential for conversion, and customer retention and satisfaction year-round, especially during the busiest shopping time of the year. We're excited to back PDQ's journey in redefining the e-commerce logistics landscape. #ecommerce #logistics #supplychainmanagement #BFCM

🛍️🌟 Ever wondered about the roots of Black Friday? Beyond the frenzy of discounts, it originated in the late 19th century, marking the start of the holiday shopping season. The term itself gained momentum in the 1960s, signifying the shift from red (loss) to black (profit) for retailers. Today, it's evolved into a global phenomenon, an annual tradition for consumers and businesses alike. While it's about scoring deals, let's also cherish the essence of togetherness and gratitude during this time. Let's make this Black Friday not just about savings, but about shared moments and connections that truly matter. #BlackFridayOrigins #ShoppingTraditions 🌟🛍️

On Wednesdays, most of us working Walmart's holiday campaign wear pink. It's not just because we like Mean Girls. It's visibly showing a badge of pride that together we've done it, we've launched the most extensive campaign of the nation's biggest retailer -- and we didn't do it alone. Working on Walmart Holiday is akin to taking a sip from a fire hose. It's hula hooping. One hula hoop is easy. Two is fun. 1000? Impossible. But we did it. In the middle of the heads-down work, accompanied by elbow grease, sweat, and a couple of tears, it's fantastic to see the work of 100s of people come together in a culturally relevant moment. Advertising isn't just selling products. Marketing is more than identifying the ideal customer and their needs. It's the collaboration of hundreds if not thousands of voices and hours to make fetch happen. Cut the mush. It's hard work. On Wednesdays, we see the fruits of our labor, we wear pink, we change our profile images and Zoom backgrounds, and of course, we shop Walmart Black Friday Deals (which happen on a Wednesday).

"Via in-store organizing and actions, Black Friday strikes, small group meetings, community outreach, national gatherings of workers, and online conversations with thousands of employees, Walmart workers built a new labor movement that compelled the retail giant to make changes, but not without setbacks. The film follows four Walmart employees as their movement grows worker-by-worker, store-by-store, and state-by-state, pushing for an historic win in 2015." "Their advocacy and mobilizing helped to forge a new model for building power for workers in the retail sector. Now more than ever, Walmart workers say they want a safe workplace, respect on the job and pay that reflects the truly essential nature of their jobs." "This film charts the birth of a national movement, powerfully revealing how the act of standing up and standing together not only transformed the characters in the film, but may transform the future of the company's workforce as well." Rent or buy the fim: https://lnkd.in/eRz5qMn

"Via in-store organizing and actions, Black Friday strikes, small group meetings, community outreach, national gatherings of workers, and online conversations with thousands of employees, Walmart workers built a new labor movement that compelled the retail giant to make changes, but not without setbacks. The film follows four Walmart employees as their movement grows worker-by-worker, store-by-store, and state-by-state, pushing for an historic win in 2015." "Their advocacy and mobilizing helped to forge a new model for building power for workers in the retail sector. Now more than ever, Walmart workers say they want a safe workplace, respect on the job and pay that reflects the truly essential nature of their jobs." "This film charts the birth of a national movement, powerfully revealing how the act of standing up and standing together not only transformed the characters in the film, but may transform the future of the company's workforce as well." Rent or buy the fim: https://lnkd.in/eRz5qMn

Dive into the Ultimate Black Friday Extravaganza with Caribou Cargo from 20th to 24th November! We've locked onto your favorite brands like Takelot, Ackermans, Woolworths, Zara, Makro, and more, bringing you EXCLUSIVE deals that'll make your shopping dreams come true! If you use our Assisted Purchasing Service, you will enjoy an EXTRA 5% off on top of the incredible discounts. Here's the plan: Share your Black Friday shopping list with us. We'll take care of the ordering process. Sit back, relax, and let the magic happen as we deliver straight to your doorstep. Don't let this Black Friday slip away without seizing the hottest deals and massive savings! Let's make this Black Friday the BEST one yet! #BlackFriday #CaribouBlackFriday #ShopSmartWithCaribou #DealsOnDeals"

Prime Day is over, what next? I don't know about you, but I always felt like working in e-commerce keeps me somehow disconnected from the present moment. I always have to think one step ahead, think about the next big event or holiday. And now that Prime Day is over, I feel like I already have to be in the mindset of the festive period. Prime Day for me was always a sort of warning that Q4 is approaching, and if you haven't finalised your strategy for that period, this is your cue to do it. I'm curious, how much of your strategies for Q4 are fixed and how much are they flexible? How do you re-consider your strategy after seeing the results and performance of a prior event in the year, like Prime Day? Would love to see your thoughts. #PrimeDay #BlackFriday #AmazonStrategy

Mass-produced products with complex supply chains often come at a significant hidden cost and as a result, large product discounts are also offered to consumers at the expense of players and collaborators who are bearing these hidden costs. In light of these considerations, we, as a small business, have carefully reflected on our values and commitment to sustainability. While the allure of participating in Black Friday sales may promise a surge in short-term revenue before the year ends, we have chosen to resist this trend for several reasons. Discover why and how you can make thoughtful choices during the frenzied holiday shopping season. Read "Why Our Small Business Bypasses Black Friday Sales for Mindful Consumption" https://lnkd.in/d_sGKqZD

Today is April Fool’s day, but you knew that already. To join in on the fun, we mixed in some news items in our Monday Newswire that could or could not be true. Have a look at these headlines and take your best guess. ·        “Homeless” man uses reward points to live in hotels. ·        Starbucks finds profit in “Odyssey” closure. ·        IAG Loyalty campaign features e-foil surfers (one in a bathrobe). ·        Signing up for loyalty programs could be backfiring on you. #CustomerLoyalty #LoyaltyMarketing