March Madness: Is Your 3PL Game Day Ready?

For someone who attended the University of Kansas (KU), March Madness holds immense significance and excitement. The NCAA tournament represents a time to come together and cheer for our favorite teams. It celebrates the under-dogs, dynasties, and Cinderella stories.  

For those of you new to March Madness, it is the annual NCAA college tournament that starts in March. It is highly anticipated, steeped in tradition, and it all began in 1939. The tournament begins with 68 teams competing down to the Final Four. It is one of my favorite times of the year.

March Madness and 3PLs

Believe it or not, there are many parallels between basketball and logistics. Consider how third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses can gain insights by analyzing their competition, improving efficiencies with teamwork, or adapting operations when you really need to score and make a customer happy.

Here are my top takes on how 3PLs can use game day tactics to keep and win new business:

Build Relationships and Meet Customer Expectations

The University of Kansas has a rich basketball tradition. The Jayhawks boast a storied history in college basketball, with numerous conference championships, Final Four appearances, and NCAA tournament victories. This tradition builds anticipation and pride among students, alumni, and fans during March Madness.

Your 3PL is the same. So many 3PL businesses have long and lasting relationships with customers. Their job is to anticipate client needs and effectively manage their processes for maximum efficiency in handling goods. This includes optimizing storage layouts, streamlining picking and packing procedures, and minimizing transit times for inbound and outbound shipments.

The goal is to always strive for the best results, maximize opportunities, and minimize errors. Teams who master successful customer relationships can expect their customers to keep coming back with the hope of going all the way!

Propel Accuracy and Efficiency with Technology

March Madness serves as a rallying point for many college fans. I want to see my Jayhawks shoot with precision, make accurate passes, crush defensive maneuvers, and score lots of points.  

This requires practice and enhanced tactics based on the game situation, opponent's strengths, and other unknown factors. For 3PLs, this requires coordination and technology.

3PL warehouses operate most efficiently when all elements—inventory management, order processing, shipping, and receiving—work together seamlessly. Just as players need to communicate and coordinate on the court, warehouse staff must collaborate to ensure smooth operations.

3PLs need to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate changing customer demands, seasonal fluctuations, and unexpected disruptions in supply chains. When utilizing supply chain technology, such as Collaborative Visibility Platforms, 3PLs can see:

• 3X savings
• 60% reduction in order processing times
• 40% reduction in carrying costs
• 20% decrease in stockouts

Technology is a game changer for sure and I can hear Stuart Scott yelling,

"Just call [you] butter cuz [you're] on a roll."

Get Ahead of the Competition

March Madness epitomizes the competitive spirit. For KU fans, watching the Jayhawks compete against top-tier teams in the NCAA tournament is exhilarating. Each game is filled with anticipation, drama, and the potential for an unforgettable victory.

3PL warehouses must also consider their competition and how they plan to advance their business. Warehouses must engage in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. This requires leveraging resources and technology such as warehouse management systems (WMS), barcode scanners, and automated equipment to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and visibility throughout the supply chain.

The importance of teamwork, efficiency, precision, adaptability, technology, and continuous improvement are all relevant when looking to beat out the competition and meet customer expectations.

Make Memorable Moments

From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella stories, the tournament never fails to deliver excitement and drama. For this KU alumni, reminiscing about past victories and championships during March Madness evokes a sense of nostalgia and pride.

The same can be said when speaking with 3PL owners and operators about their business. 3PLs have some of the most loyal customers. When 3PLs take initiative, build lasting relationships, and invest in technology to improve their bottom line, beating the competition will feel like making it to the finals every day. 

Reach out to learn how your 3PL can partner with Osa. Let’s work hand-in-hand to relay a sense of community and camaraderie with your customers and partners so you can stop supply chain chaos and be one step ahead. 

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU!