Use Mobile Apps to Improve Efficiency of Courier Jobs

Technology is becoming more advanced by the day, and with the easy availability of new systems and mobile applications for tracking, capturing data and performing safety checks, anyone working in the courier industry is in luck. It’s an exciting time…
If you’re a fleet manager in the transport sector and you’re looking to find more efficient ways to keep track of your workers – and make sure they can manage themselves – here are some of the best and simplest technologies in the business.

Remembering Safety Checks

Courier jobs always involve vehicle safety checks, and most drivers are expected to perform these either daily or weekly. Since these checks are often done manually, paperwork including important information can often go missing (or not get completed at all).

Fleet managers can now provide electronic forms for their drivers to fill out via a mobile application. This will allow operators to check whether mandatory procedures have been carried out without having to riffle through papers. Plus, minor issues such as small bumps or other damages to the vehicle can be logged, meaning maintenance staff can be more aware of any pending required jobs. Completing safety checks with this system will improve the efficiency of your business in more ways than one, so it’s certainly recommended to make a start by investing in this kind of mobile app.

Minding the Mileage

Differentiating between a worker’s personal journeys and the time they spend on the road doing courier jobs can be a tricky business if they own their own vehicles, but only if you don’t have the technology to do it for you. Savvy tech-smart fleet managers are now using an application which allows drivers to confirm their purpose for a journey with the simple click of a button. This accurate representation of used mileage not only allows companies to significantly reduce their administration processes, but also means that fraudulent fuel expense claims can be avoided.

Submitting Performance Feedback

Most companies use tracking systems to assess the performance of their drivers, but few have found a solution for effectively notifying the driver of any relevant feedback. Anyone working on courier jobs is faced with daily challenges and sometimes danger on the road and, without regular assessment and helpful driver feedback, some workers may find themselves involved in costly on-the-job incidents.

Using a mobile application to record and log progress is becoming a favoured method of more and more fleet managers. The app calculates an individual score for the courier, based on telematics data, alongside company averages. Behaviour like harsh acceleration, fast cornering, braking issues and speeding are also broken down in the report. This data both encourages employees to improve their driving style and notifies operators which of their employees are the highest performers.

If you’re an owner driver looking to improve the efficiency and safety of your business, it’s clear that mobile apps are the best way forward. Take a step forward and make your courier jobs easier to manage by taking advantage of the modern technology at your disposal.

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Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.

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Debunking Driving Myths: Laws Every Courier Should Know

If you’re someone who works in the courier industry, you’re probably out driving a lot – which means it’s likely you know the lay of the land and the laws of the road like the back of your hand. However, no matter how familiar you are with something, a little revision never hurt anyone. That’s why we’re here to give you a refresher course on what you can and cannot do behind the wheel.
There are a lot of driving myths out there, so many so that it can be tough to distinguish road fact from road fiction… what’s a courier to do? We’ll tell you: read on so you can get the lowdown and stay safe on the roads.

Can You… Eat?

Munching on a snack while behind the wheel isn’t illegal – however, distracted driving is. That means if you’re paying more attention to your meal than you are to the road, the police could pull you over and write you up for careless driving (the penalty is three points and a fine of £100).

If you’re going through a drive-thru to pick up some fast food, make sure you’re paying by cash or card. You can potentially get fined if you use your mobile phone to pay while your engine is still running.

Can You… Use a Sat Nav?

The short answer is yes (don’t worry, you can still Google Map your way to your courier deliveries). However, your sat nav – whether you’re using an app on your phone or a separate device – must be set in a fixed position on either your dashboard or your windscreen, and your view of the road should be uninterrupted.

If you’re using your mobile, make sure that you do not touch it while driving – interfering with your phone could earn you a £200 fine and six penalty points.

Can You… Make a Phone Call?

Have you got a hands-free system? Then yes! However, you’ll have to program your device so that you won’t need to touch it to take calls. Interacting with your phone in any way – even just to answer it – is a punishable offence. You should also bear in mind that even if you follow these rules to a T, the authorities can pull you over if they think you are being distracted by your mobile… so it’s really best to only use it for emergencies.

Can You… Use Headphones?

There are no specific laws against using headphones while you drive, however it’s something that is unadvisable even if it is technically legal. It can be unsafe not only to yourself but to others, as you may not be able to hear your fellow road users, level crossing warnings or emergency vehicle sirens; you could get charged with dangerous driving because of this. Our advice? Stick to the radio instead.

Whether you learned something new or already had these rules down pat, keep them in mind for all of your future courier work and it’ll be nothing but clear skies (and roads) ahead.

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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. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange company in the UK.

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Drive Away Distracted Driving with These Top Tips

For every motorist, safety on the road should be of the highest priority. However, if you do courier work for a living, the potential problems and risks become magnified simply because of the amount of time you spend behind the wheel. It’s not easy staying alert and vigilant to your surroundings all day every day, but it’s absolutely vital to your own safety and well-being – not to mention that of other road users and pedestrians.
If you’re in need of a little help to keep your attention on the straight and narrow while you’re doing courier work, these tips will steer you in the direction away from distraction.

Get Enough Sleep

This one is obvious, but it’s probably the most important tip. Make sure you get your eight hours the night before you’re doing a full day of courier work so you don’t feel the effects of sleep deprivation (tiredness, lack of concentration, delayed reactions). Simple.

Prevent Dry Eyes

Keep those peepers well moisturised by keeping some drops in your glove box and applying them whenever your eyes feel itchy or even a tiny bit dry. All those hours concentrating on the road means your poor eyes have to work that much harder, so show them some extra love.

Essential Scents Make Sense

Filling your van with the aroma of essential oils will not only make you popular at the roadside cafes, it will also serve to keep you more alert – as long as you choose the right ones! Scents like grapefruit and other citrus will stimulate your senses, and are far less fattening than a couple of Mars Bars for that late afternoon hit.

Stay Fed and Watered

Speaking of which, hunger and thirst both have the ability to rapidly decrease your concentration levels without you even knowing it. Make sure you keep on top of hydration and healthy snacks, so your body temperature remains constant and keeps you at optimal performance. And by the way, hydration ideally means water (not sugar-loaded soda drinks or endless cups of coffee) and healthy means, well, healthy – not sugar-loaded chocolate bars and endless packets of crisps.

Chew on it

Chewing some gum is a fantastic way to keep your brain active and ensure you don’t get distracted by daydreaming or zoning out when you’re driving for a long time. Just make sure you choose a sugar-free variety and don’t blow those bubbles too big that they obscure your view…

Entertain Yourself

Just how you do this is up to you – within reason. The point is to keep yourself amused and therefore alert, so choose something that will do that but not serve as another distraction. We get it: it’s a fine line. But one really good idea to do is sing – that’s right! Create a playlist of belters, plug in and sing your heart out. After all, nobody’s listening except you (and possibly some bemused motorists at the traffic lights). Another idea is to listen to comedy podcasts; all that laughing not only keeps you alert, you’ll also get an endorphin rush that will lift your mood and allow you to cope with anything that gets thrown at you in the course of your day’s courier work.

See – keeping distraction at bay while you’re doing courier work can be fun! Take these tips on board and you’ll find yourself zipping around the streets like the energizer bunny – within the speed limits of course!

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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. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.

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Is Courier Work Right for You? Find Out Here

If you’re considering getting stuck into the world of courier work, it’s important to know exactly what it entails. This is a fantastic career choice for many people, but you should be aware of all the details of the job before you begin, from the skill sets you’ll need to your daily tasks. This article will give you an overview of this kind of career so that you can better assess what you’ll need to achieve your delivery dreams.
What is Courier Work?

Couriers pick up documents, packages, messages, etc. and deliver them to customers. It’s a fairly simple concept but it does have many variations.

A Day in the Life

One of the best things about the job is the fact that no two days are ever exactly the same. You will be driving a lot (obviously) and working from your vehicle much of the time, so you should ensure that you are comfortable with this. It’s also important to note that your job environment and some of your tasks (such as moving packages) may be physically demanding, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is required.

Some of your daily duties might include:

• Ensuring your delivery records and other paperwork are up to date • Getting signatures as you deliver packages and signing for them when you pick them up • Completing a schedule of addresses and pick-up points from your depot • Finding the fastest way to reach an address • Sorting packages and planning routes

Skills and Other Requirements

To do courier work you’ll need to have had a full UK driving licence for at least twelve months. It goes without saying your driving record should be good, and you should have (or acquire) a license for the particular type of vehicle you will be using. In most cases your employer will provide you with a delivery van, however, if you are self-employed or looking for a job as a motorcycle delivery driver you will have to procure your own vehicle or motorbike respectively.

Other skill sets you will need are as follows:

• Customer service skills • The ability to verbally communicate well • Time management and organisational skills • The ability to work on your own and with others • Attention to detail • Transport costs, benefits and knowledge of operational methods • The ability to stay calm in stressful situations • The skills to complete basic tasks on a handheld device or computer

By the Numbers

Those in courier work tend to make between £14,500 (when you’re just starting out) to £40,000 (when you’re very experienced) per year on average. Your hours will likely be between 44 and 46 a week, and you may be asked to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

There you have it – an overview of what a courier driver is and what you will need to become one. If you think you have what it takes, why are you still sitting here reading this? Get out there and make your delivery driver dreams a reality!

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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. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.

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The 5 Hidden Aspects of Courier Work

If you’re in the logistics industry that means you probably know exactly what goes into doing courier work. However, that may not be the case for your friends, your family or even your significant other. If you find yourself getting lots of questions about what exactly your chosen profession involves, just show the person asking this article. It’s sure to shed a light on what the general public may not know about being a courier.
1) You Need People Skills

Believe it or not, this kind of work takes seriously good interpersonal skills. The job requires you to interact with a variety of people from all walks of life on a daily basis. It’s common knowledge that you’ll need to confirm the package’s contents and check with both the recipient and the sender that the relevant paperwork has been completed, so it won’t benefit you to be shy or withdrawn. In fact, it’s very helpful to be comfortable with small talk and making conversation with strangers, as this is a career where you meet new people just about every day.

2) You’ll Get to Use Many Different Types of Vehicles

Courier work isn’t necessarily confined to a van or a car. You may get to complete your deliveries using a motorbike or a bicycle (especially in urban environments), or even a boat or light aircraft if you’re working in one of the world’s more remote regions.

3) You’ll Need to Have Excellent Navigational Skills

Sure, Google Maps, sat navs and GPS may be commonplace in this day and age – but those with a career in courier work should have top notch navigational skills nonetheless. There will be times when you won’t have service or your device will die, and you’ll often have to be able to figure out the quickest route somewhere – all while you take weather and traffic conditions into account.

4) You’ll Be Required to Have Specialist Insurance

Drivers who use vans, motorbikes or cars will, of course, need standardised vehicle insurance – however, you may need to supplement that with courier insurance to make sure you are covered for all eventualities. Professional drivers are exposed to different risks than those who just use their vehicles to commute to and from work, so it’s important you make sure you’re properly protected.

5) You’ll Be Delivering All Sorts of Packages

If you decide on a career in courier work, you’ll be required to deliver all sorts of packages. Your cargo can include DVDs, books, purchases from online shopping, watches, jewellery, letters, furniture… the list goes on and on. You may even play a role in saving a life, as some non-standard deliveries can include transporting organs and blood to those in need.

For many, being a delivery driver is the dream job. After reading this article, hopefully those who are not familiar with the logistics industry will have a better understanding of what this career entails.

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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. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.

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