Michael Levitt's Blog, page 12

Top Tips for New Pharmacists Starting Out

source: @nci

There was once a time that the malls and the superstores took over all of the smaller pharmacy businesses, but when you have been through school, and it’s now 2022, those once-eradicated smaller pharmacies are making a comeback. To move all the way through pharmacy school and have taken on a load of student loans means you have the chance to strike out on your own rather than wait for somebody else. 

Opening your own pharmacy business, a smaller and more independent business, you can get to know your clients and your clients have a lot more confidence that they are being taken care of. It’s easy to forget that pharmacists are a part of the healthcare team, that they need pharmacist liability insurance and they need to follow the law. So, you need to consider how you can get started with your pharmacy business. It’s not very easy, given the rules and regulations that govern pharmaceuticals, so how do you begin? Let’s take a look.

Do as much research as possible. No matter what kind of business you start, you need to do research but when it comes to pharmaceuticals, research is a must. Not only do you need to ensure that you research the location of where your pharmacy business will be, you need to consider how much space you need, how many other employees you want to hire, and whether you are in a position to open a business in the first place. As a graduate, you need to get the facts so go to the sites that offer tips and talk to current pharmacy owners. There are plenty of organizations that can help you directly in this field and it’s important to learn what you are taking on before you get started.

Think about the kind of pharmacy you’d like to open. Yes, there is more than one kind. You can buy a franchise, or you can buy a store and open your own pharmacy. Sometimes it’s easier to start out with a pharmacy that already exists, by taking over the lease and the business deeds from somebody else. Some doctors take over practices and inherit patients but pharmacists often take over the pharmacy and inherit the clients from that. You already have an established customer base and vendor relations, and you can guarantee that you will be able to get to know the area in a more intimate way. If you know the kind of pharmacy you’d like to open it’s a good place to begin.

Get acquainted with an attorney. Any business owner needs a good legal mind to help them to navigate their new world. Meeting with an attorney is just smart because you’ll be able to take the right legal direction. You need to know all the legalities that are involved in a pharmaceutical business, as you are going to be handling very confidential and very sensitive information. You will also be handling medications, and while you would’ve learnt to do that in college, that doesn’t mean that you know the legal side of things. Meeting with a good attorney is going to help you to get a foot in the door and insure that you are handling your business the right way.

Take a deeper look into business loans. What business out that doesn’t need loans to get going? If you already have the money to start a business whether that be from family or an inheritance, you still need to make sure that you speak to the banking manager to help you to manage your finances. Most individuals need to take out a business loan of some kind so make sure that you are shopping around for the option that best meets your needs. You also need to have a good business plan to take with you to the bank so that you can convince them that giving you a loan is a good idea!

Make sure you hire appropriate staff. If you’re planning to build your pharmacy team, you shouldn’t be handing out jobs to family friends, and your best friends. You need a licensed pharmacist which would be you if that’s your occupation. It could also help to have a second set of hands if the pharmacy location is a busy one. It will help you to have support staff and they should all be trusted, trained, and accountable individuals. You also need to consider an accountant, and an insurance agent. This is because you need to have pharmacist liability insurance, this could be a big help for you as you move through your business.

Build up your product base. Get to know the companies that you’re working with for your pharmaceutical business, and how you want to stock the product. Think about the quantities and the needs and how quickly you can get something if you need it. You should also take a look over any clients and their particular prescriptions so that you know which medicines to have in stock.

Ask as many questions as possible. While you are in your research phase for your pharmacy, make sure you are asking questions so that people understand that you are new to the business. You may have gone through school and landaulet you can, but that doesn’t mean you know everything yet. Having a pre-existing relationship with patients can really help you out.

Take as many possible opportunities to learn. As a pharmacist, you’re going to learn a lot about pharmacy then you do it in the business that you did in school. There are going to be things that you are challenged with, and there are going to be questions that you asked that you don’t always know the answers for. It’s a good idea to ensure that you are doing all that you can’t keep up with your education even beyond college.

A new business is an exciting venture - just ensure that you are fully prepared for what it takes to run it and you’ll do well!

To What Extent Can We Help Train & Develop Our Staff?

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When business advice blogs or columns suggest that investing in your people is essential, they do so because there are many benefits that come as a result of that effort. To begin with, skilled staff feel satisfied when developing their profession further, as this potentially increases their earning potential and helps them grow as people. On top of that, the skills can be utilized within your business and are more likely to stick around with lowered staff turnover.

However, it’s not always clear what the advice of ‘invest in your people’ actually means. Does this mean making sure they have access to worthwhile training? Of course, but what kind of training? For instance, would your receptionist, a valued part of the team, really get much benefit in their career path from attending public speaking lessons? Possibly, but might there be better uses of your time and investment?

So, to what extent can or maybe should we help train and develop our staff going forward? What will make the most difference? In this post, we hope to discuss all of that and more, and perhaps hope to levy some advice:

Sales Training

Sales training can be a great investment, because ironically enough, this kind of skillset provides much more than just being able to get people to buy things. It increases your interpersonal information, helps you establish the pain points a particular client needs resolved, and also allows you to become an advocate for all of the decisions you make while selling ideas properly. This can help anyone move forward in their careers and enhance their productivity.

Sensitivity & Workplace Candor Training

Of course, the modern workplace is filled with people, and those people all have different perspectives, considerations, willing approaches, and cultural differences. This is why it’s good to make sure that sensitivity, diversity and affability are all essential principles in your brand. Does this mean brow-beating about never having conflict in any capacity? Not entirey. But it does mean learning to be purposeful for our words, to take responsibility, and to mediate as much as possible. Put simply, this approach helps teams understand one another more readily.

Technical & Compliance Training

It’s always good to consider technical and compliance training in a given field. We might use an example for this, such as training your staff to use the latest software suite update that may change how their workflow is processed and the new standards adopted in the industry. For instance, many office workers are now having to learn about the essential nature of cybersecurity and what it means, preserving and protecting your systems in equal measure. Compliance can shift over time, but it’s true that the foundational elements of any professional outlet will always conform to these necessities, which is why it’s essential for this regular education and updating that knowledge to take place, on top of audits that help you ensure your team is following the correct protocol.

With this advice, you’re sure to train and develop your staff in the best possible light going forward!

How To Improve Your Workplace Security

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Workplace security is paramount as it is the level of security and in turn safety that your workplace can provide its employees, equipment, and building. It is essential for ensuring that all employees are protected and feel safe in their working environment and ensures that the building, equipment, and goods are safe and protected from damage or burglary. 

Taking the security of your workplace seriously will have a hugely positive impact on your day-to-day operations and is a preventative measure you can take to ensure you keep your expenses down and your business running and functioning. Take for example your stock, should it be damaged or stolen it will cost you not only to replace the items but will also impact the productivity of the workplace until the items have been replaced or restored. What is more, it will negatively impact your employees who may be left feeling unsafe and vulnerable in their place of work.

Alarm systems 

Alarm systems are an easy and effective way to step up your workplace security. Alarm systems act as a deterrent to potential intruders making it less likely your business will fall victim to a break-in or burglary. This in turn will promote the safety of your employees and business assets. Further to this, should an alarm system be sounded during a break in it should alert the intruders and stop them from proceeding thus further protecting your business. 

Alarm systems come in many formats and have different capabilities. You can have a basic model which sounds like an alarm or one that is linked up to a monitoring system or alerts the police or security personnel who attend the scene once triggered. 

CCTV

CCTV is another incredibly effective means of enhancing your security protocols. CCTV will catch intruders or trespassers on video, which will act as a deterrent in itself and make criminals more prone to being caught or identified. CCTV can also help to catch suspicious behavior and put a company on alert should anything untoward be detected. 

Another by-product of installing CCTV, other than preventing break-ins, is that it can help to identify any risks or flaws in security that are currently experienced by your business or staff. CCTV can be used to provide evidence of safe or unsafe business practices or help to settle internal disputes arising from workplace related accidents, injuries, or incidents 

Regular maintenance of your security systems 

Whatever means of security you opt for, whether it is alarming, CCTV, or both, you should always stay on top of the maintenance of these systems to ensure they are working effectively. Any form of technology can fall victim to system faults, downtime, or poor security so by carrying out regular maintenance checks you should be able to minimize the chance of your security system letting you down when you need it most. 

ID badges

Employee ID badges are particularly useful in larger organizations or businesses that involve a high number of staff, a lot of foot traffic, or a high turnover of visitors and guests. Allowing anyone to roam around the interiors of your business could pose a real security risk to staff, equipment, and visitors. Every effort should be made to provide anyone on the premises with ID badges or a means of identification. They should also be required to sign in and out of the premises to ensure that a record of their presence is kept. Finally, if your ID badges double up as access keycards then be sure that you grant only necessary access to necessary personnel.

Employee education  

Another key component to ensuring the security and safety of your workplace is ensuring that all the employees who are in the workplace are fully au-fait with safety and security procedures in place. Establish a written procedure or list of responsibilities that employees have to ensure they are fully aware of what is expected from them. Having a written resource that employees can refer to can avoid key security steps, such as locking away important products or enabling the alarm systems from being missed, forgotten, or overlooked.

However, before doing this it is important that your employees undergo the relevant training to ensure that they fully understand, know, and appreciate the safety and security standards expected from them and how they can achieve them. Training should be to a high standard and offered continually to ensure it is always up-to-date and relevant to the workplace. 

What Are Employers Looking For In A Resume?

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Did you know that the average job seeker sends out 21-80 applications before receiving an offer?

Of course, sometimes this is beyond your control. For example, you may be one of one hundred applicants for a role, or be less experienced than another candidate. However, there are certain factors that you can control, such as the quality of your resume/CV. As a result, and to avoid burnout during a job search, you must know exactly what employers are looking for in a resume. This could include:

Buzz words

Hiring managers will often detail precisely what they are looking for in the job description itself, particularly in the section where they describe their “ideal employee”. This section will often feature a range of buzz words such as experienced, motivated, and creative. As a result, you should go through the job description and highlight these keywords/phrases and ensure they find their way onto your CV. This helps to prove to the hiring manager you are right for the role! 

Formatting. 

In some cases, the formatting of your CV is just as (if not more) important than the content. This is because hiring managers usually only spend 15-20 seconds on a resume they believe is poorly structured, formatted, or hard to read. As a result, you should ensure you select a user-friendly format. Alternatively, you could use one of these professional resume templates. This will ensure you cover all of the necessary bases clearly and concisely., giving you the best chance of success. 

Transferable skills

Many job applications will list a range of necessary/essential skills that hiring managers will use to narrow down the applicant pool when hiring new employees. However, this does not mean that other, transferable skills should not be featured on your CV, as they still speak to your professionalism and credibility. 

Furthermore, many businesses are crying out for in-demand skills such as analytical reasoning, AI skills, affiliate marketing, and emotional intelligence. As a result, you should have a separate section set up on your resume where you list 10-15 key skills. Try to include a mixture of those in the job description and transferable ones you think will be particularly useful in this role. 

A willingness to learn

You may be tempted to lie in your resume (this is something that 40% of people admit to). However, while you may get away with this for a little while, you will regret this later should you be assigned a task that you find impossible to complete without asking for outside help or assistance.. As a result, you should be honest when putting together your resume. If there are any noticeable gaps, explain why you took a break. You should also demonstrate a willingness to learn in your CV - such as by detailing any extra classes or courses you have signed up for. This shows an employer that you’re always willing (and eager) to develop new skills that will not only further your own career but improve the company too.

Why You Need a Robust IT Infrastructure for Your Small Business

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Small businesses need the same IT infrastructure as larger companies to grow and remain competitive. Even so, small business owners have fewer resources than their counterparts who operate large enterprises. As such, they often have to make IT investment choices with a smaller dollar value in mind. This article will discuss why you need an IT infrastructure for your small business and how you can start building one immediately.

Why You Need a Robust IT Infrastructure for Your Small Business

Every company that wants to grow in today'stoday's digital economy needs a robust IT infrastructure. The same holds true for small businesses that want to compete in the ever-shifting landscape of the SaaS economy. Whether you own a one-person consulting firm or a 30-person manufacturing company, you need a solid IT platform to succeed in today's business climate. The same goes for your IT strategy for small businesses—you need a robust IT infrastructure to make your business competitive. In the ever-changing digital economy, an IT platform that is not robust will be unable to support your needs as your business grows. This may result in inefficiencies, reduced productivity, and a need for costly upgrades and replacements in the future.

The Benefits of Having a Robust IT Infrastructure

No matter your industry, having a robust IT infrastructure will help you stay competitive and achieve your business goals. Here are just a few benefits of having a robust IT platform for your small business;

Increased Performance - The faster your employees can complete tasks, the more work they can do. A robust IT platform will help employees complete tasks faster with fewer errors. This will increase productivity, allowing you to achieve more work per hour with fewer resources.

Improved Data Security - You must protect your data to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated hackers. A robust IT platform will help you achieve data security by enabling data segregation, backup, and protection.

Improved Efficiency - Studies have shown that an integrated IT platform can increase the efficiency of an organization by as much as 15 percent. This can reduce the number of administrative staff required and reduce costs.

The Requirements for a Robust IT Infrastructure for Your Small Business

The benefits of a robust IT infrastructure are clear, but they don't mean much if you don't have the proper requirements. For example, you need a robust IT infrastructure for your small business if you want your technology to support the business needs of your employees. Among the essential requirements for a robust IT infrastructure for your small business are:

A robust IT architecture.

An effective business continuity plan.

An effective disaster recovery plan.

A strategic approach to cloud services.

Where to Find the Experts and Resources Needed?

Many companies provide outsourced IT Services for small businesses, and you can easily find them online through a quick internet search. However, it isn't as easy to choose the first company that pops up. You should be asking around your peers for their recommendations or consult the Better Business Bureau for more details on service providers. 

Ask questions when you contact to ensure that what they offer suits you. Questions can include;

What services do you offer?

How many staff do you have?

What is your plan for emergencies?

Do you back up data?

How do you work with clients?

What are your core competencies?

How do you work with clients?

Conclusion

Your IT infrastructure is the backbone of your business. It must be robust enough to support the needs of your employees, enable productivity, and protect data. However, building a robust IT platform from scratch is a significant investment for which most small businesses don't have the resources. 

6 Profitable Careers That Are Not Online

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It's no secret that the internet has revolutionized how we work and conduct business. With so many jobs being transferred online, it can be easy to forget that there are still many profitable careers that do not require a computer or internet connection. In this blog, we will explore six of the most lucrative non-internet careers out there. So whether you're looking for a career change or simply curious about other options, read on to discover some great opportunities!

Lawyer

There is no doubt that lawyers are in high demand, and with good reason. A successful lawyer can earn a very comfortable salary, often much higher than the average worker. In addition, the job satisfaction rate for lawyers is quite high, making it a great career choice for those who enjoy helping others and working with people. Of course, becoming a lawyer requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You'll need to complete an undergraduate degree followed by law school, which can be a challenging and time-consuming process. But if you're up for the challenge, there's no doubt that it will be worth it in the end!

Doctor

Like lawyers, doctors are in high demand and can command a very comfortable salary. They also have the added benefit of being able to help others and make a real difference in people's lives. Becoming a doctor requires completing an undergraduate degree followed by medical school, which is a lengthy and challenging process. But once you've completed your training, you'll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career!

Teacher

Teachers play a vital role in society, and there is always a need for good teachers. In addition to the satisfaction that comes with helping others learn, teachers also enjoy a good salary and job stability. Of course, becoming a teacher requires completing an undergraduate degree followed by a teaching certification. But once you've completed your training, you'll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career!

Accountant

Accountants are in high demand, and with good reason. They play a vital role in businesses of all sizes and can often command a very comfortable salary. In addition, the job satisfaction rate for accountants is quite high, making it a great career choice for those who enjoy working with numbers and solving problems. Of course, becoming an accountant requires completing an undergraduate degree followed by passing the CPA exam. But once you've completed your training, you'll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career!

Engineer

Engineers are in high demand, and with good reason. They play a vital role in businesses of all sizes and can often command a very comfortable salary. In addition, the job satisfaction rate for engineers is quite high, making it a great career choice for those who enjoy problem-solving and working with their hands. Of course, becoming an engineer requires completing an undergraduate degree followed by passing the FE exam. But once you've completed your training, you'll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career!

Physical Therapy 

A career in physical therapy offers a great way to help people recover from injuries and improve their quality of life. In addition, physical therapists often enjoy a good salary and job satisfaction rate. Of course, becoming a physical therapist requires completing an undergraduate degree followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. But once you've completed your training, you'll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career! Alternatively, you can do physical therapy classes, which are online learning.

As you can see, there are many great non-internet careers out there that are both profitable and satisfying. So if you're looking for a career change or simply curious about other options, be sure to consider some of the options on this list!

Pros and Cons of Living in New Mexico

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If you are looking for a change when it comes to where you live and are looking to move in the near future, you may previously have overlooked the benefits of living in New Mexico. Living in New Mexico also has its drawbacks, though, and so here are an assortment of pros and cons to living in New Mexico that you should know before you move there. 

Low Cost of Living

One of the major pros of living in New Mexico is the low cost of living, with most people able to live well for less there. You will be able to get a large house for a low price, and you may find that buying groceries and other essentials does not break the bank. However, the cost of living depends a lot on the city that you live in, and so you should be wary when choosing where to live in New Mexico if you want to find the cheapest place to live. However you live, moving is still incredibly expensive. Then, if you are struggling to get the lump sum that you need to move together, you should consider looking at loans in New Mexico to see whether these could take the strain off of your finances for the foreseeable future. 

Little Career Progression 

Depending on the industry that you work within, living in New Mexico can mean that you struggle to move your career forward. Even if you do manage to find a job that you love, this may be lower paid or you may not be able to progress in your career in the way that you would like, even though it is possible to find the occasional high-paying, in-demand job. Many people move out of New Mexico or head to the larger cities to find work, and so, if your career is one of your priorities, you may have to rethink whether New Mexico should be on your list of places to move. 

Great Weather

New Mexico has great weather, especially in the North and in the summer season, with moderate temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only this, but if you love skiing, then winter in New Mexico might be the place to be, with locations such as Taos Ski Valley ensuring that you can hit the slopes whenever you want to. However, you should be aware that it can get surprisingly cold during the winter months, depending on the area that you live in. 

Beautiful Scenery

There is nothing so relaxing or life-affirming than living in a place with beautiful scenery all around you. If you are planning to move to somewhere where you can fall in love with the scenery, let this place be New Mexico, with its mountains, deserts and forests that can take everyone’s breath away no matter what type of natural environment they like best. Even if you do not live near one of these beautiful places, it is easy to travel to them at the weekend or on vacation.

What Is a Folder Gluer and Why Do You Need One?

When you’re starting a new business, it’s crucial to spend your funds on things that will help your business grow. With all the different options for workflows and operations available, it can sometimes be challenging to know which choices are most efficient for your business. Here’s what a folder gluer is and why you need one for your warehouse.

What Is a Folder Gluer?

A folder gluer is a machine that (you guessed it!) folds and glues things, especially the cardboard boxes that most businesses use for shipping and storage. If you combine a folder gluer with a die cutter, you can automate the entire process of making, folding, and gluing boxes. Some folder gluers can make up to 400 boxes in one minute.

Increased Productivity

Now that you know what a folder gluer is, let’s talk about why you need one. The most important thing about a folder gluer is that is speeds up your warehouse’s workflow by an incredible margin. Even an experienced line worker can’t keep up with a folder gluer’s speed and precision.

Cut Operational Costs

When you have a machine as efficient as a folder gluer, you don’t need to hire people to cut and put together boxes, which can be tedious. If you get low on boxes, you don’t need to pull staff away from their jobs to help make them—the machine does all the work for you. Though a folder gluer costs more up front, it will save you money in the long term.

Optimization Tricks

One of the best tricks for getting the most out of your folder gluer is using the right kind of belts, preferably urethane or PVC belts. Proper maintenance and high-quality belts will help you avoid folder gluer belt problems, further lowering overhead costs.

We know that starting a new business can be overwhelming. Hopefully, this overview of folder gluers helps you make important decisions about your business operations.

Making All of Your Employees Feel Valued

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As an employer, you have a lot of responsibilities. But perhaps one of the most important is making sure that all of your staff are happy and well catered to. This is a moral imperative. Think about it. Your staff are individuals who work hard for the sake of your company and your profits. They ensure that your business stays a float and keeps progressing, ultimately making you more money and guaranteeing you a good quality of life. It’s important that you do what you can to make sure that they are compensated, rewarded and feel happy and safe in their place of work. This is also important from a logical perspective. The happier your team are, the better they will perform, the less likely they are to leave and the more money your business will make in the long run. But what can you do to ensure that your employees feel cared for and valued at all times? Here are some suggestions.

Good Pay

One of the areas that most businesses try to spend as little as possible on is staff. Sure, staffing costs may be the largest outgoing for your business, even if you pay everyone minimum wage. But at the end of the day, your staff are the driving force of your business and you need to pay them well to keep them on board. The better you pay your staff, the more comfortable their lives around work will be and the more grateful and appreciative they will be of their role. Other companies will have a harder time poaching your staff, as they may not be willing to pay the rates that you’re offering. Make sure to pay above market average rate wherever you are able to.

Inflation Matching

The rate of inflation is going up and your employees may be struggling on their previous wages, even if their previous wages were fair at the time. Consider implementing a scheme that provides staff with an annual pay rise to match inflation in your country. You can find official inflation rates online.

Diversity and Inclusion

Making sure that your workplace is a diverse and inclusive space will make sure that all employees feel valued. Prejudice, unfortunately, is rife nowadays and many studies have shown that individuals from more minority backgrounds, on average, tend to earn less and hold lower positions than their counterparts. This should be avoided. Make sure that you are being genuinely fair in regards to pay and promotions. You can find out more about this through a survey titled Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Do Americans Really Care?

Feedback

Provide positive feedback on your team’s work when they are doing well. It’s important to recognise individuals or teams who are going above and beyond for the sake of your business, its sales, fostering a positive and productive workplace or any other area that helps out.

These are just a few starting points to focus on. Give them a go and you should see a positive improvement in your workplace, with happier and more satisfied employees.

Top Ways To Improve Efficiency in the Warehouse

You may assume your warehouse is efficient when customers receive their products on time and the shelves are full. But actually, there’s room to make adjustments to create the most efficient warehouse possible. No matter what size warehouse you have, finding ways to improve efficiency is vital. It can save you money, create a better work environment, and improve customer service.

Utilize Warehouse Technology

Warehouses need updated technology to survive in today’s world. Technology is an excellent way to streamline your operations and stay current. Implement RFID technology to track items that leave the warehouse. Cloud-based warehouse management systems have features to display real-time data, efficiently manage inventory, and automate scheduling and accounting.

Automate your case packing to save time. Offer headsets or walkie-talkies to employees to alleviate back and forth communication. Purchase mobile-powered carts to help workers fill orders.

Learn Lessons, Make Adjustments

Issues, accidents, and mistakes happen. Track your data to learn where your warehouse can improve, then adjust accordingly. Utilize the right technology to discover the lacking areas in your warehouse. There’s always room for improvement within your business.

Is inventory sitting too long in your warehouse? Is a truck taking too long at the dock? Measure specific performance indicators to create benchmarks and make adjustments.

Improve Warehouse Design

It goes without saying that the most efficient warehouses are the ones with the best designs. Your warehouse should work with the flow, not push against it. Adequately plan the layout to address issues such as:

Lengthy picking times

Shipping and receiving bottlenecks

Lost inventory

Unsafe storage practices

Turn to your warehouse management system to discover the highest volume products and place them near the shipping and receiving area.

Optimize Warehouse Storage

A warehouse can become quickly congested if you’re not utilizing the space correctly. There are several reasons you may run out of storage, such as more oversized products, poor inventory control, and items that are sitting on the shelves and taking up space.

Go vertical to utilize the higher areas of your warehouse. Create skinnier aisles to help create more floor space—just ensure your equipment can still fit through. If you need to, get temporary extra storage. Temporary storage is excellent for seasonal surges such as Christmas.

These ideas will help improve your business’s warehouse efficiency in no time. Find what works for your warehouse and make adjustments.