OnFulfillment Blog | Marketing Asset Management

It’s certainly no secret that the supply chain is currently under some serious stress. A combination of multiple factors, including supply and demand issues as well as growing staffing shortages, are already wreaking havoc, causing shipping delays and fulfillment problems. These disruptions are impacting everything from consumer electronics and paper goods to toys, automobiles and more. And one area where experts believe will see a significant shortage is in name-brand products.

As we go through the sales and onboarding process with our customers, many will say, “sorry, but IT will have to send over a questionnaire.”  

While some might see this as a roadblock, our answer to this statement is, “Great!” The reason why is simple. 

“Fulfillment” is a funny word. When you hear it, you might picture something soothing that relates to personal fulfillment – anything that brings you closer to complete happiness. (Can we get an “Om…..”?)

But “order fulfillment” is a whole other story. In commerce, it describes a company, department or service that processes orders for products and delivers them.

If you’re the one placing an order, and the company providing this service gets it right, you get what you ordered when you expect it, and it’s in pristine shape.

Some might say that’s also a kind of “complete happiness.” For sure, if you don’t get what you’ve ordered, or get it too late, or it’s damaged, it’s often a complete nightmare. 

You likely outsource your graphic design, your web development, your marketing automation system support, and maybe even your PR function.  But there’s one thing  you just can’t outsource—yourself.

Most companies are already managing physical marketing assets, such as printed collateral, sales sheets, booth and event materials, and branded promotional items.  These physical materials are likely being managed by various marketing team members.  Outsourcing your physical marketing materials can lead to tremendous benefits in saved time and increased revenue.

As we head into the "new normal," it may be the right time for marketing teams to review the cost of shipping.  [Ok, yes we said it, we said the 'new normal'.  And, yes, we know it's a huge cliché.  But it's hard to find another way to describe our current marketing environment.]

We all know that for the foreseeable future, physical events are canceled. But smart marketers are not slowing down because pipeline won't build itself. They are pivoting to virtual events, digital engagement, and the only physical marketing left in their arsenal–direct delivery to customers, prospects, and employees.

If your marketing plan includes delivering promotional products to

• engage virtual event attendees
• drive prospect meetings
• make webinars more interactive and fun
• thank loyal customers
• reward or engage hard-working employees
• celebrate company milestones

And if those customers, prospects, or employees are located not only in multiple cities across North America but around the world, than it may be time to review your FedEx or UPS bill and find ways to cut your shipping costs.