Top 3 reasons why inbound courier work will continue even in a recession

Not everyone loses in an economic recession—those who take on courier work, for example, still stand to gain in a situation where almost everyone else is scraping the bottom of the barrel. But just how, exactly, do these workers endure and even triumph in a bad economy? Here are three reasons.

Companies Rely on Them to Stay Afloat

An economic recession compels business organisations or companies to rethink their strategies and adopt certain techniques, not only to streamline their operations but also to ensure that even the smallest aspect of their business is in line with the goal of turning in profit. That’s why those who regularly take on courier work can expect to stay in good business even if certain industries somehow get crippled or decline; at the very least, there will still be small organisations that need to ensure their packages arrive safely at their destinations on time. Moreover, during tough economic times, companies cannot afford to maintain their own in-house delivery drivers, which is why hiring the services of outside drivers actually becomes more viable as companies tighten their budget strings. Outsourcing such a vital operation keeps the operational costs down, which means steady inbound work for drivers.

They Are Instrumental in Keeping the Economy Vibrant

Companies or business organisations do not often mention it, but they rely on couriers to ensure their day-to-day activities and transactions are flowing smoothly and like clockwork. Moreover, there are also those enterprising individuals who run small businesses from their homes—they sell crafts or home-made products online, and guess who they turn to when their products need to reach their customers? That’s right: from the biggest corporations to the smallest one-man business operations, they all rely on the expert services of those who take on courier work. Ensuring that packages are delivered safely and on time is the job of delivery drivers, and this in turn has a significantly positive effect on the overall economy. This steady flow of economic exchange provides a fertile bed for growth and a chance for declining companies to regain lost profitability.

The Job Requires Minimal Overhead

Those who take on courier work as a source of income are usually people who drive their own vehicles or bikes and know their area like the back of their hand. In other words, they don’t have to spend much in terms of capital or overhead—one only needs enough motivation, any vehicle that can reliably take you from point A to point B, a mobile phone and a computer. The mobile phone, of course, is vital for you to stay accessible to your clients or customers, especially the repeat ones. The computer is a necessary tool for keeping track of your invoices and other business records, plus, when connected to the Internet, it can help you find more new clients. (There are highly dynamic exchange websites that help facilitate transactions between clients and couriers.) With these minimal requirements, delivery drivers are practically ‘protected’ from any recession—they can still eke out a good living from delivering parcels and packages no matter how bad the economy gets.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work 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.