How to Overcome the Challenges of Self Employed Courier Jobs

Challenges in the workforce need not ring bells of negativity. They can hone and sharpen not only your experience of work, but also yourself as a worker. In fact, most people report that a lack of challenges in their workforce is as de-motivating as the inability to overcome problems!

Every industry offers unique challenges, and knowing how to overcome them puts you not only on the road to success, but also to greater job satisfaction. This certainly holds true in the age-old industry of transportation.

Managing routes

Routes are the bread and butter of transportation work. If you are earning a living through self employed courier jobs, the majority of your time may well be spent managing routes, either in the planning or execution. There are particular challenges to route management, but the heart of the matter rests in your needing to be aware of the most efficient routes. With the multitude of options available and the number of clients you service, you will need to organise your routes in such a way that minimises time spent on the road.

Managing time

This leads us to another pivotal challenge, namely time management. Route management and time management go hand in hand when you work in self employed courier jobs. It is imperative that each client receives the timeliest service, yet you will also feel the pressures of time as you must maximise your client list and keep a full schedule. The challenge lies in finding clever and reliable ways not to pack your schedule to a point where your time management slips, but at the same time make sure you don’t find yourself with time to kill.

Managing return loads

These challenges are not isolated to the transportation industry, but if you work self employed courier jobs you will face more unique problems, like the issue of managing return loads. Dead mileage is the threat that emerges from the endemic issue of having a client book you on a route and then struggling to find a way to fill your vehicle for the return leg. An empty truck means a waste of time and money, hence finding inventive ways to kill dead mileage, such as the use of online exchanges, by use of return loads is an essential challenge of this field.

Managing competition

All industries, big or small, face competition. If you work in self employed courier jobs you need to approach competition as a healthy challenge. It can certainly swamp you, since good competition may steal routes and clients from you, but it also forces you to tighten up your operations and exercise your best skills. By developing a solid reputation and a viable marketing platform, you can compete with other people in the delivery industry and make your mark.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day self employed courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.