Truck & Trade Trends

Logistics is not broken. People are.

In an age of instant connectivity, global supply chains, and AI-driven optimizations, you’d think freight would move smoother than ever. Yet, shipments still get delayed, warehouses still hold cargo hostage, and logistics professionals still scramble to find answers.

Why? Because somewhere along the chain, someone thought sending another email was the solution instead of picking up the phone.

If you’ve worked in logistics for more than five minutes, you’ve seen it happen. A shipment is delayed, and rather than taking immediate action, the problem spirals into a series of never-ending email threads, while everyone waits for a response that might never come. Meanwhile, demurrage costs climb, customers grow frustrated, and reputations take a hit.

The Reality of Logistics Today

With supply chain disruptions becoming the norm whether from geopolitical tensions, port congestion, or labor shortages; companies can’t afford inefficiencies. The logistics industry has evolved technologically, but poor communication remains a massive roadblock.

Just look at current trends:

• 2024 Port Congestions: Delays at major ports have increased due to labor strikes and regulatory changes, making real-time communication crucial.
• Supply Chain Digitalization: AI, IoT, and automation have streamlined operations, but human decision-making is still at the core.
• Driver Shortages: The American Trucking Associations still project a shortage of over 80,000 drivers, making every delayed shipment even more critical.

Yet, despite these advancements and challenges, the simplest, most immediate solution – direct human communication is still overlooked.

The Problem: Email Culture is Killing Efficiency

The biggest reason freight is stuck?

Over-reliance on emails.

Emails have become a safety blanket. They feel official. They create a record. They protect people from accountability. But they also slow everything down.

Logistics is a real-time industry. Cargo doesn’t wait. Trucks don’t wait. Customers don’t wait.

Yet, I’ve watched shipments sit idle at warehouses because someone was waiting for a reply to an email they sent two days ago. I’ve seen contracts lost because a simple miscommunication wasn’t clarified in a quick phone call. I’ve witnessed carriers, brokers, and shippers play email ping-pong while demurrage fees piled up.

It’s not technology that’s failing. It’s decision paralysis, fueled by an obsession with documentation over action.

The Solution: Stop Hiding Behind Emails, Take Action

So how do we fix this? It’s simple:

1. Call First, Email Later
   • If something is urgent, pick up the phone first.
   • Follow up with an email only if documentation is needed.
2. Empower Teams to Make Decisions
   • Many delays happen because people fear making a call without “approval.”
   • Train your team to take responsibility and act swiftly.
3. Use Real-Time Communication Tools
   • Slack, WhatsApp, or internal logistics platforms should be used for immediate updates.
   • If you’re waiting for an email, you’re already too late.
4. Set Clear Escalation Policies
   • If a shipment is delayed, who needs to be called first?
   • Create an escalation framework that ensures urgent issues aren’t buried in inboxes.

Final Thoughts: Logistics is About Speed

The most successful logistics teams don’t wait. They don’t hide behind emails. They act.

In an industry where time is money, unnecessary delays kill profits. The best logistics professionals know when to stop typing and start talking.

So next time your freight is delayed, ask yourself:

• Did you send an email and “hope” for a reply?
• Or did you pick up the phone and make things move?

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