5 Ways To Do Peak Well: A Guide to Success in 2024 with Zeelo

As we move further into 2024, businesses are faced with the challenge of navigating peak periods efficiently and cost effectively. At Zeelo, we understand the importance of managing peak seasons seamlessly, and we're here to share insights on how successful businesses made the most of their busiest months in 2023. Join us as we explore five key strategies to ensure you do peak well, with a focus on flexibility, staff transportation, talent acquisition, sustainability, and technology.

1. Build Flexibility Into Your Operations: One crucial lesson from 2023 is the need for flexibility in operations. Successful businesses embraced adaptable strategies to respond to changing market conditions and consumer demands. Zeelo's bespoke staff transportation solutions offer the flexibility needed to accommodate peak periods, ensuring your business can scale up or down as required. By having a dynamic approach, you can optimise resources and enhance operational efficiency during peak times.

Take Pertemps, for instance, who witnessed a remarkable success in their end clients' winter peak due to aligning shared transport solutions to flexible shift patterns. These shift patterns did not typically fall within conventional public transport timetables, making it hard for lower income candidates to travel to and from work each day.

2. Hire Top Quality Candidates Early: Employee satisfaction and retention play a pivotal role in navigating peak periods. Businesses that thrived in 2023 implemented robust staff transportation programs to attract and retain talent during demanding months. Zeelo's tailored transportation solutions not only make commuting convenient for your staff but also contribute to a positive work environment, fostering loyalty and reducing turnover.

A great example of the importance of staff recruitment was Majestic Wines who celebrated its most successful Christmas peak yet, witnessing an 8.1% increase in like-for-like sales. CEO John Colley attributed this achievement to the "monumental effort" put forth by colleagues throughout the company, including those in stores, commercial teams, the distribution network, and the support centre.

3. Ensure You Keep The Right People: Having the right team in place is crucial for success during peak periods. Identify key roles and skill sets needed to navigate the challenges of concentrated peaks, and ensure you have a workforce capable of delivering value to your business. Zeelo's expertise in creating bespoke transportation solutions can support your talent acquisition and retention strategies, making sure you have (and keep) the right people to drive success.

4. Address Concentrated Peaks With Strategic Planning: Some businesses faced unique challenges in 2023, dealing with highly concentrated peaks lasting four or five weeks, unlike historical trends. Zeelo can help you plan strategically, providing transportation solutions that align with your peak schedules and ensuring smooth operations during these intense periods. By understanding your specific needs, we can create tailored plans to optimise efficiency during the most critical times.

5. Build Sustainability Into Your Daily Operations: Sustainability is a key consideration for businesses aiming for long-term success. Zeelo supports companies in reducing their environmental impact by offering sustainable transportation solutions that contribute to the reduction of Scope 3 emissions. By aligning with supply chain ESG goals, you not only enhance your brand image but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

We like to boast that for every time Zeelo provides a transportation alternative to 100 riders, 403 kg of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reduced each day, amounting to 91 tonnes per year – the equivalent of planting 600 trees! But there is still so much more we can do!

And that is before you throw in the potential for fully net-zero transportation. Zeelo is actively supporting organisations in making the switch to electric vehicles and dramatically lowering their carbon footprint. 

Bonus: Work Smarter By Leveraging Technology: Embrace the power of technology to work smarter in 2024. Zeelo's advanced ai powered technological solutions provide real-time tracking, reporting, and optimization tools, allowing you to monitor and manage transportation efficiently. By leveraging technology, you can streamline operations, minimise disruptions, and make informed decisions during peak periods.

Take organisations like Next, who are already embracing AI technology to improve operational efficiency; analysing sales history and forecast what product volumes it needed, which served it well over Christmas 2023.  

We typically see retail business leaders approaching AI and other tech solutions by focusing first on cost reduction opportunities that require lower upfront investment yet have a significant impact internally and huge potential to scale.

As we navigate the uncertainties of 2024, opportunities for success abound. Zeelo is committed to supporting businesses in achieving their peak performance goals. By incorporating flexibility, staff transportation programs, talent acquisition, strategic planning, and sustainability into your approach, you can ensure that your business not only survives but thrives during peak periods. Embrace the future with Zeelo, and let's make 2024 a year of unprecedented success!

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