Recommendations

        As an established transportation broker, the operations and processes at Fast Track Logistics are extremely well developed.  With a specially designed and created information system, Sanford, excellent delivery times, high quality, and a high level of customer satisfaction, there are few recommendations to be made. 

            One of the first recommendations to come to mind when thinking of about a shipping company would be to recommend ways to prevent delays caused by the operational processes of the carrier, to prevent delays caused by incomplete paperwork, to prevent delays caused by miscommunications between the parties involved (including Fast Track, UPS Freight, the customer, and the receiver), and to prevent the damage or loss of items during shipment due to negligence by the carrier.  While there is always room for improvement in each of these areas, Fast Track is currently doing a more than adequate job in each.   In terms of delays due to actions of the carrier, UPS Freight, as Fast Track carefully evaluated the carrier prior to selecting the company, and has an excellent line of communication with them in communicating the orders that are to be picked up and confirming which items were actually picked up, it helps to prevent delays caused by items that were forgotten to be picked up.  Additionally, due to UPS Freight’s well established presence and operations in the shipping industry, delays caused by their actions are rare.  The same well established presence and operations of UPS Freight also helps to reduce the risk of items getting damaged.  

            Another recommendation that one may think to make would be for Fast Track to expand to another location, or to add more employees.  However, during the interview at Fast Track with owner and manager, Steve Turso, it was made clear that there are no plans of expansion in terms of the number of locations or in terms of the number of employees, although the company has received over one thousand resumes.  Instead, the company is looking to grow through technological improvements, allowing the company to do more work with the same number of employees; for instance, the increase in capacity that became possible from the use of Sanford. 

            Additionally, Mr. Turso, is the main one responsible for estimating the rates as the rate quote cannot be automated due to the freight class and rates.  It may be beneficial for Fast Track to consider training another employee in rate quotes in the event that he is out of town or unable to process a quote.  Another potential problem can arise from Fast Track’s carrier (supplier), UPS.  Although UPS Freight has an excellent reputation and service record, in the event that something was to happen with the company and they were unable to fulfill shipments, it would negatively impact Fast Track’s operations.  

            Furthermore, although Fast Track currently receives a large amount of orders per month, in interested in increasing the amount of orders received, Fast Track may want to consider increasing the marketing and advertising associated with their service.  For example, many potential customers may not be aware of the company or the services provided; however, the same people may have a need for Fast Track’s services.  By increasing the amount of advertising and marketing, the company may be able to increase their customer base and thus generate benefits from the larger number of orders through economies of scale.  

             Lastly, as Fast Track already has a well-developed website, it may be worthwhile for the company to consider expanding into social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.  By using Facebook, through the creation of a company page it can allow the company to better interact with customers and to further humanize the brand, while at the same time allowing various customers to interact with each other.  In terms of Twitter, it would again allow the company to have another means of interaction with the customer.  It would also allow the company to share with customers any news related to the company and/or the industry. 

            Overall, one of the greatest recommendations to be made for the Fast Track Logistics is for them to continue what they are currently doing.  While the company may be extremely well developed, the field is ever-changing; the need for modifications to the existing operations and processes are inevitable and must continue to be constantly monitored and addressed as is being done currently.