In the world of B2B commerce, shipping is far more than a inal step in a transaction; it is an integral part of the professional relationship. While much of the conversation around delivery expectations focuses on eCommerce, the stakes are often higher in B2B logistics, where alate pallet can stall a production line or leave a retail partner with empty shelves.

There is no shortage of reasons why a shipment may be delayed, and primary among them, especially during the winter months, is weather. While weather-related shipping delays are something that are ultimately out of anyone’s control, how you choose to handle them can help you take an inevitable unfortunate situation and thrive in the face of it.

Why Weather is a Primary Disruptor in B2B Freight

No entity in the supply chain wants to see a shipment delayed. However, the reality of moving large-scale freight across North America means contending with diverse and often extreme geography.

Weather remains the most common cause of significant delays, often resulting from large-scale events that impede travel across entire regions. For example, the torrential rains and landslides that impacted British Columbia in late 2021 decimated infrastructure and halted freight movement for weeks.

It is important to remember, and to remind your partners, that these delays are rarely the fault of the carrier or the shipper. During these times, all parties are working to ensure shipments are delivered not just quickly, but safely.

Strategies for Managing Weather Delays

While you cannot control a snowstorm or a hurricane, your response to these events can actually improve your business relationships. A study by Mitto found that 91% of consumers are more patient regarding delays when they experience excellent customer service. Here is how to maintain that standard in a B2B environment.

1. Proactive Communication and Real-Time Data

The sooner you communicate a potential delay to your partners, the better. In B2B shipping, getting ahead of a storm allows your clients to adjust their own production or sales schedules.

The most effective way to keep all parties informed is by providing real-time tracking on shipments. This provides updates on estimated delivery times from point-of-sale to the final destination, even when the weather turns. If your current process doesn't offer this, sending an immediate email as soon as a delay is detected is the next best step.

2. Maintain Radical Transparency

In professional logistics, being upfront about issues is a sign of respect toward your customer. Avoid vague explanations. Instead, be honest about the weather conditions and the carrier's safety protocols.

This honesty mitigates immediate frustration and helps boost long-term retention by positioning your business as a transparent and reliable partner.

3. Keep Communication Lines Open

When a business is waiting on a critical shipment, they need answers fast. Ensure your support email is clearly visible on all communications and that your team is prepared to handle an influx of status requests during regional weather events.

4. Offer Strategic Compensation

Offering perks or compensation is not just for retail; it is a valuable tactic for B2B retention, especially when dealing with new accounts. A 2018 study in the Journal of Marketing showed that even a low-to-moderate discount can increase retention by over 7%.

Providing a credit or a markdown on a delayed shipment acts as a sign of good faith. It demonstrates to your client that their continued patronage is more valuable to you than the immediate revenue of a single shipment.

How Freightcom Helps Minimize the Impact of Delays

The occasional shipping delay may be inevitable, but the pain points don’t have to be. Freightcom helps you stay resilient with a shipping platform designed for the modern business:

Discounted Rates on More Services: Get heavily-discounted real-time rates on LTL, FTL, parcel, and more and book in minutes.

Real-Time Tracking: Many of our partner carriers offer real-time tracking on both pallet and parcel services, keeping you and your customers in the loop.

Diverse Carrier Network: We partner with North America’s leading LTL and parcel carriers, giving you the flexibility to pivot at all times.

Expert Support: Our shipping experts are available to help you navigate the complexities of freight delays.

Zero Fees: You get access to our multimode platform with better rates and real-time updates for zero upfront or monthly fees.

Contact one of our shipping experts today and see how Freightcom can help you give your customers the experience they deserve, rain or shine.