Avoid Fulfillment Woes

Before you begin an overall assessment, know that the basis of real improvement must always be the result of actual measurement. Without the metrics for what’s being done, an assessment can’t serve as a basis for advancement.

Internal operations reports are indispensable. A serious audit should include weekly productivity reports from all departments — including receiving; quality assurance; inventory control; replenishment; picking, packing and shipping; personalization
and gift wrapping; and back-order handling — in terms of units of work processed per paid hour and reporting of errors.