LDR Consulting

Want to build strong relationships with vendors and manufacturers? Here's what they REALLY appreciate when you reach out: 1. Do Your Homework First Clear understanding of their minimum order quantities, lead times, and production capabilities BEFORE reaching out shows respect for their time. Nothing says "professional" like coming prepared! 2. Clear Communication & Documentation Detailed tech packs, precise specifications, and organized documentation make vendors' lives easier. Include everything they need to quote accurately - dimensions, materials, packaging requirements, etc. 3. Realistic Timelines & Planning The best partners give reasonable lead times and understand that quality work isn't rushed. Share your long-term forecasts when possible - it helps vendors plan capacity and secure materials. 4. Professional Payment Practices Prompt payment of deposits and invoices builds trust. Being upfront about payment terms and respecting credit agreements goes a long way in establishing credibility. 5. Value Their Expertise Successful partnerships happen when you view vendors as collaborators, not just suppliers. Listen to their suggestions for improvements - they often have valuable insights that can enhance your product! 💡 Pro Tip: Building strong vendor relationships isn't just good etiquette - it's good business. When supply chains get tight, these are the relationships that ensure your orders get priority. Read more on the topic here: https://lnkd.in/eskPyJGR #BusinessRelationships #SupplyChain #Manufacturing #Entrepreneurship #BusinessTips #VendorManagement

In the dynamic world of beauty and cosmetics, peak seasons can make or break your annual performance. Whether it's the holiday season, the sun-soaked summer months, or the back-to-school rush, these high-demand periods present both immense opportunities and significant challenges. As a company that’s well aware of these periods, we've partnered with numerous beauty brands to navigate these crucial times successfully. As we approach the busiest season of the year in retail, we hone in on how to navigate this time in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/efk4-ku5 #retail #holidayseason #businesstips

5 Must-Ask Questions Before Choosing Your 3PL Partner Running a small business? Don't sign with a logistics partner before asking these crucial questions: 1️⃣ "What tech integrations do you offer?" Your 3PL should work seamlessly with your existing systems. Period. 2️⃣ "What are your accuracy rates?" Because 99% accuracy sounds great until you're dealing with that 1% of angry customers. 3️⃣ "How do you handle volume spikes?" Peak season can make or break your business. Make sure they can scale with you. 4️⃣ "What's your communication style?" Good logistics partners are like good friends - they always write back (but with better shipping updates). 5️⃣ "Show me ALL the costs" Hidden fees are like surprise party guests - nobody wants them. And LDR won't show up with any costly surprises. Ready to find your perfect logistics match? Let's talk about scaling your business the right way: 📞 503-428-7144 📧 info@ldrconsult.com #SmallBusiness #Logistics #3PL #SupplyChain #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

Brand taking off? Time to rethink production. Growing pains: You've outgrown your initial manufacturing setup. Now what? • Buy equipment? • Team up with a co-packer? This decision is pivotal for your brand's trajectory. We dive into what your options may look like in our blog post: https://lnkd.in/ejruMfEW #ManufacturingDecisions #BrandExpansion #3PL #FractionalServices

As an entrepreneur you wear multiple hats to get your brand off the ground.  From product development to design and sales to shipping, you are responsible for doing it all! When all your hard work increasing brand awareness pays off and your daily order volume increases exponentially, it’s time to take a serious look at how to process the larger order volume while you focus on generating more sales. Should you hire your own team or outsource to a 3PL (third party logistics) provider who specializes in order fulfillment? Here's what we think: https://lnkd.in/eUEvG8TB

As the number of start ups continues to increase, the term “fractional” has become increasingly popular in the entrepreneur sphere of influence.  In simple terms, it means seasoned individuals or companies serving an integral business function within a company on a part time basis at a significantly lower cost than hiring a high caliber individual to fill the position. Are you looking for a mentor who can help you navigate critical business decisions? Or someone who will act on your brand’s behalf to execute crucial activities while you focus on your brand direction? Before deciding which route to go, conduct a self-analysis of yourself and your brand. Even though these types of roles are temporary, they will have a significant impact on your future. Read all about our fractional services: https://lnkd.in/eNGt3hre If you are contemplating fractional services, reach out to us for a free 30-minute introductory call, we're here to help!

Is Your 3PL Holding You Back? 5 Signs It's Time for a Change At LDR Consulting, we know that choosing the right Third-Party Logistics (3PL) partner is crucial for your business's success. Here are five telltale signs that it might be time to explore new options: 1. Service Shortfalls:   - Shipments consistently arrive later than promised   - Products frequently go missing in transit or arrive damaged   - Order fulfillment errors become the norm rather than the exception 2. Escalating Expenses:   - Your logistics costs keep climbing without any noticeable improvements in service or efficiency 3. Tech Lag:   - Your 3PL's systems can't keep pace with your evolving needs   - Lack of seamless integration with your e-commerce platform hinders real-time tracking and transparency 4. Customer Frustration:   - Your social media channels are flooded with delivery-related complaints   - Negative reviews increasingly cite shipping issues as a major concern 5. Response Time: - 3PL's are notorious for not getting back to customers in a timely basis. Urgent requests for shipments that need to go out same day or an issue that needs to be resolved may take days. Our team typically gets back to customers within a few hours. If these scenarios resonate with your current situation, it may be time to reassess your logistics strategy. At LDR Consulting, we specialize in helping businesses find and implement optimal 3PL solutions. Ready to chat about how we can revitalize your supply chain and boost customer satisfaction? Shoot us a message or visit our website www.LDRConsult.com #Logistics #SupplyChain #3PL #3PLPartnership

Heading to MakeUp in New York this week? If you want to learn about our services, message us, we’d love to meet you. We will be on the floor connecting with exhibitors tomorrow and Thursday; see you there! #makeupinnewyork #javitscenter #tradeshow #indiebeauty

As an entrepreneur or CPG brand owner, it's tempting to think you can handle everything yourself. We get it, It's your vision, your passion, and your business. But trying to do it all alone can easily lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and stunted growth. The honest truth? Collaboration is key to success in today's competitive business landscape and in the beauty industry, this can ring true more often than not. On our latest blog, we explain why going at it alone can be detrimental to your vision: https://lnkd.in/edFdRtcc #EntrepreneurshipTips #3PL #Operations #Logistics #BusinessPartnership #IndieBeauty #SmallBusiness

Our sustainability initiative with NexTrex is in full swing! We’re on a mission to collect 1,000 pounds of soft plastics by March 2025, all to be recycled into a bench for a local Los Angeles school. This challenge is crucial as we experience the environmental impact the beauty industry has on our wonderful planet 🌏🌲🍃 and we’re proud to share that we’ve collected 224 lbs so far! #ecofriendly #recycling #nextrexrecycling #carbonfootprint #beautyindustry #softplastics #indiebeauty #3pl #environmentallyconscious #beautywaste