How can you manage your distribution network during a crisis?

1 Assess your network

The first step is to assess your current network and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) that a crisis may pose. You need to evaluate your suppliers, distributors, customers, and competitors, and understand how they are affected by the crisis and how they respond to it. You also need to analyze your inventory levels, transportation modes, storage facilities, and quality standards, and see how they can be optimized or adapted to the changing conditions. A SWOT analysis can help you prioritize your actions and allocate your resources accordingly.

3 Innovate your network

The third step is to innovate your network and explore new ways to deliver value to your customers. You need to look for opportunities to improve your network efficiency, flexibility, and resilience, and leverage the technologies, tools, and trends that can help you achieve your goals. For example, you can use digital platforms, such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, or blockchain, to enhance your network visibility, traceability, and agility. You can also use alternative transportation modes, such as drones, bikes, or electric vehicles, to reduce your costs, emissions, and delivery times. Innovation can help you differentiate your network from your competitors and create a competitive advantage.

4 Monitor your network

The fourth step is to monitor your network and measure its performance and impact. You need to track your network activities, such as inventory levels, transportation routes, delivery times, and quality indicators, and compare them with your pre-crisis and post-crisis benchmarks. You also need to evaluate your network outcomes, such as customer satisfaction, loyalty, retention, and profitability, and see how they are influenced by your network decisions and actions. Monitoring can help you identify your network strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your network strategy and tactics accordingly.

5 Learn from your network

The fifth step is to learn from your network and capture the lessons and best practices that can help you improve your network in the future. You need to review your network performance and impact, and identify the factors that contributed to your success or failure. You also need to solicit feedback from your stakeholders, and understand their perspectives and preferences. Learning can help you recognize your network opportunities and threats, and prepare your network for the next crisis or opportunity.

6 Share your network

The sixth step is to share your network and showcase your achievements and challenges to your stakeholders and the wider community. You need to communicate your network results and impact, and highlight your network innovations and learnings. You also need to acknowledge your network partners and collaborators, and appreciate their contributions and support. Sharing can help you increase your network visibility, credibility, and reputation, and attract new customers, suppliers, or distributors to your network.