Product pickup and delivery
Do you know about online stores? Of course, we all do, except if you live outside this digitized age, you should understand what an online store is.
But do you understand how the whole process works? From the production to the delivery stage, its all handled by individuals like me and you. For those of us who think its a computer that does most of the work, I'm sorry but you're wrong. All the computer does is to accept and save images and prices, calculate your order fee and notify your seller/store merchant. Every other process till you get your ordered product is handled by individuals.
We now live in a digitized age where online markets are getting bigger and securing more patronage than physical brick and mortar stores. The major cause of this drift is CONVENIENCE PURCHASE and the most important feature of convenience purchase is home delivery. Online payment, pay on delivery, compare price and the likes are all under the back bone of HOME DELIVERY. Home delivery is done by logistics firms/agents.
Some facts about logistics.
* Its in high demand
* You can be a freelancer and start small
* Its very lucrative, regardless of fuel scarcity or fuel price
* There are so many platforms that can aid your success
* It has a steady market
* It requires good pressure management and accounting skills
The good news is you can start your own logistics firm and begin receiving orders soonest.
You would need a bike or bikes to start with. For a small starter, that's probably the most important machine you would need. The next stage is to make your self known to merchants on online stores and website owners. A good way to do this is to register yourself as a logistic firm on online stores. A couple online stores even grant you the leverage to list yourself on their seller services such as Konga-seller-services etc. You should also send mails to websites that sell products that need to be delivered. You would be surprised at your feedback rate.
You might also want to consider making business cards to you give your customers for professionalism. V-connect is also a good place to register yourself as a logistics merchant.
Note# you must know how to arrange customer accounts in order of product type, delivery contact, seller contact etc.
If you would be the one doing the delivery yourself, then you must know how to navigate yourself very well within your state of location, but if you will be employing a rider/riders, make sure they are conversant with the state they reside in. You should also make sure you have adequate information about your riders and if possible, a surety who can stand for them should in case something goes wrong. God forbid there is a case of a rider fleeing with goods to be delivered, the surety would be your insurance.
Don't overlook insurance for a logistics business. Products could get damaged, delivered to the wrong address or any other mishap, so the expenses don't get out of hand, make sure you have insurance company watching over your business. Logistics could be risky business, but business is all about risks. Ask questions, research and learn all you can before going into this business. If your service is remarkable, growth in this business would surprise even you. Don't be afraid to take risks, be afraid to remain the same. I wish you success.
Think WITTEE! Think Intelligence
You're probably wandering why this business idea is the first I'm posting.
Well, this is a very lucrative business many people overlook, and I must stress that it is very profitable also.
At different nukes and cranies in communities accross Nigeria, we all know a couple of people who have been doing this business for years.
I remember while in school, there was a woman I and a couple of friends used to patronise, she even diced pepper into her puff-puff which made it more entising. Then, we used to call it, 'African fries'. People who heard us mention this word always thought we were talking about something more western and luxurious.lol
I also remember while I had a Job at Ikeja, African Fries were the number one choice for many employees during launch time.
A couple of facts about this business that might interest you
* It is not seasonal
* It cuts accross all age groups, sexes and class
* There is a steady market for it
* It is easy to engage in
* It requires little capital
Surprisingly, for those who like fried yam, plantain and the likes, they know that Its actually filling and they would also know that if they don't get to their customer in time, the caterer might be out of stock sooner than expected.
If you feel you have too much ego to 'stay by a road side and fry Akara', like most people do it, you can be creative and let your ego stand you out.
There are so many ways you can build a niche around this business for yourself.
- You could employ someone to stay by the road side to fry it for you.
- You could package it and supply offices, banks, police stations etc. You would be surprised that even your boss in the office doesn't mind hot akara inside AC.
- You could supply them at parties like a normal caterer. For this, you might want to consider including western fries such as samosa, spring rolls etc.
- You could choose to sell them only at special occasions or at specific venues on specific days, such as: church, seminars, meetings etc.
In food business, cleanliness would always attract customers, so you should take special care of this fact.
Most importantly, be innovative when implementing your niche. You could invent your own kinda fries or even improve your menu with things such as Boiled plantain (Boli), ground nut, fresh fruits, etc. But make sure you know what you're doing and be great at it. Greatness is a choice
Think WITTEE! Think Intelligence
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