Running warehousing Supply Chain Management (SCM) efficiently is no cakewalk. But, if you took a step back, you might realize there are fewer variables. 

For instance, running a profitable hotel needs a good location, well-designed rooms, not too much competition in the area, honest housekeeping, great chefs, a procurement team that negotiates like they’re sourcing with their own capital, excellent revenue management software… 

Similarly, a successful retail venture calls for the ability to source or create exactly what is in demand, and just enough of it. The retail brand or outlet must be seen (and by the right people). Excellent communication, optimal pricing, and excellent after-sales service are all part of the game. One may need to pivot to new product lines at the right moment… 

Meanwhile in warehousing supply chain management, while you have countless challenges (that increase by the hour), your variables boil down to two factors: 

• Your people: If they’re motivated, honest, and efficient, you’re very likely to run an efficient warehouse operation
• Space and flow management: The better you manage your space, processes, and inventory flow, and the more business you can take on. Additionally, improved space management also contributes to team efficiency. 

In this blog, we drill down on moves to strengthen these pillars of your warehousing SCM operation. We will take apart top operational challenges under people and space management and look at realistic ways to overcome these. We’ll also explain how digital signage for manufacturing can help you achieve these moves. 

3 Simple Moves for Fixing Your Team’s Efficiency Levels

Move # 1: Coach 

Your challenges: Even if Corporate were to sign off a bigger training budget, you know it won’t make a difference. The fact is that in supply chain warehousing, people switch jobs far too quickly. As a consequence, investing too heavily in training becomes a gamble. Besides, what does extensive training do for your biggest challenge when it comes to people: getting new hires to hit the ground running? 

How to overcome these operational challenges: Replace extensive training programs with live, real-time instructions that new hires can follow as they work.

Fix this easily with digital signage: 

• Display step-by-step instructions, safety protocols, and workflow processes in real time.
• Eliminate the need for employees to carry manuals or rely on supervisors for constant guidance.
• Ensure consistent communication across the warehouse, reducing errors and improving productivity.

Pro tip: Position newbies right in front of the screen. 

Move # 2: Motivate 

Your challenges: You know the truth as a leader in warehousing SCM: At the frontline worker level, work is repetitive and monotonous. On some level, blaming people for losing focus or “zoning out” isn’t going to fix the problem. Everyone jumps to attention for a few hours or a few days, and then things go back to slack. 

How to overcome these operational challenges: Make things interesting (and even exciting) with gamification. Have leaderboards and weekly, and monthly awards. You might even want to try a points system that ties into your appraisal cycle. 

Make this happen with digital signage: 

• Use digital display screens to showcase employee achievements, performance metrics, and team goals.
• Display motivational messages, progress trackers, and KPIs to keep your team aligned with warehouse objectives. You might also want to try quick explainers on how a given job affects your warehouse’s overall performance or the eventual customer experience. Often, people do not realize how crucial a small task may be in the larger scheme of things, or may not realize the consequences of poor work and inaction. 
• Foster a sense of competition (but also camaraderie) by celebrating your top performers.

Move # 3: Fix 

Your challenge: Visibility mainly. Who is a bottleneck and why? Do they need training? Are they just not motivated? Did they recently suffer an injury? Is someone bullying them? 

You haven’t got eyes everywhere, so it might be hard to answer these questions. 

Moreover, people know you haven’t got eyes everywhere, and not everyone’s as diligent as your star employee, Jim. Bullies will bully. Slackers will slack.

You’re going to have to find a way to have eyes everywhere. Moreover, this isn’t a warehousing/ SCM problem/solution only. Management everywhere is investing in better visibility

How to have eyes everywhere: Very simply, invest in real-time monitoring systems 

Make observations known with digital signage: 

• Team-level managers can get visibility with workflow status, inventory levels, and task completion rates in various zones. 
• Dashboards can help supervise and visualize performance data, thus enabling them to identify issues or slow performers that may need personalized attention. 
• Broadcasted data not only helps top performers as discussed in move # 1 but also pushes lagging performers to do their best. 

2 Easy Measures for Optimizing Your Warehouse Space

Measure # 1: Plan 

Your challenges: Inefficient use of space can lead to overcrowding, misplaced inventory, and slower operations. Plus, poor layout planning can increase travel and processing time for employees, reducing overall productivity (and frustrating them even more).

How to overcome this operational challenge: We’re not going to leave you with the obvious “plan your space better”. (We get that this is not only insultingly obvious, but also impossible when things are changing every minute). Instead, try to optimize flow and space utilization and SCM within your warehouse with AI tools, and invest in technology that directs workers to the right location in real time. 

Offer no-brainer directions with digital signage: 

• Use digital signs to display warehouse maps, inventory locations, and optimized travel routes.
• Guide employees to the right locations quickly, reducing time spent searching for items.
• Update layouts dynamically to accommodate changing inventory needs or seasonal demands.

Measure # 2: Pivot 

Your challenge: Traditional static warehouse supply chain management and layouts may not adapt well to sudden changes in inventory or demand. Moreover, delays in responding to these changes can lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. 

How to overcome this operational challenge: Just like we discussed vis-a-vis people management, invest in tools that give you real-time data on space utilization, to make quick adjustments.

Manage change warehouse supply chain fast with digital signage: 

• Use digital signs to display real-time inventory levels, order statuses, and demand forecasts to planning teams
• Enable quick decision-making by providing supervisors with up-to-date information on stock levels and workflow status.
• Communicate changes to floor workers 

Conclusion

Optimizing warehousing SCM operations doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on your team’s efficiency and your warehouse’s space management, you can tackle the most critical challenges head-on. With the power of digital signage software for manufacturing industries, you can streamline communication, improve workflows, and create a more productive and motivated workforce.