J O M Contest-What we learned.
To be perfectly honest, I initially thought minimum required to qualify, 3 per week 8 of the 12 weeks, was a bit far fetched.. But with a reward that was worth it, I figured I would give it a full effort. The potential $5k prize, but also in order to be able to speak accurately on the obstacles faced.
It went a little differently than expected. 1) I expected it to get more difficult as the weeks went on. 2) I didn't really expect to qualify.
Starting the 1st delivery stop on the 1st day, I went in with a book of pros, and asked every single customer. It became entertaining to see what the customer reaction would be., as well as reason be for not shipping with us. Who will actually care enough to be bothered by the topic? Interestingly, quite a few were willing to discuss it. Some would even check their shipping docs to see what they could do. For a couple the seed was planted and they would call back later, doing me no good contest wise, but providing a benefit to the company in added shipments.
I didn't keep track of the exact numbers, but I can say the vast majority came from asking early in the day,while delivering, provoking the conversation, pointing out (to non shipping customers) that we can pick up outbound shipments too. Even snagged a UPS package shipment, just by asking early in the day. This time the answer was, “let me check", “this one can go UPS package, or FedEx Freight”. Well, even though it was prepared for UPS package, they strapped it to a pallet and wallah, JOM.
Most times this created some extra work, making room or working around a couple pallets all day. But it did contribute to a more efficient day, by not having to return later for the pickup. Regular customers with a 16:00 close time, for example, became a non issue, when I could snag the pickup early, before they called it in. Efficiency achieved.
Only a hand full of added shipments (maybe 25%) came from the actual pickup side of the day, where the decisions had already been made. But by asking, it did provide for a dialog, and on occasion an extra shipment, if we could wait and/or make room.
I could write a lot more on the topic, but the bottom line is the process provided a number of things. Entertainment value for me, interaction and dialog with the customer., and yielded the occasional ship. I did qualify 10 of the 12 weeks, some weeks in excess of the minimum.