More Than One Right Turn

The New York Times had a great article recently about how a seemingly mundane change can make a huge difference in an organization. In Left Hand Turn Elimination, they detailed how the folks at UPS used their delivery software to optimize their trucks’ routes even further by eliminating unnecessary left hand turns. By finding more efficient routes and not waiting at stop lights to turn left, the “software helped the company shave 28.5 million miles off its delivery routes, which has resulted in savings of roughly three million gallons of gas and has reduced CO2 emissions by 31,000 metric tons.”

All that by turning left less often!

Of course, UPS impressive use of technology does not stop there. When I just ordered a couple of items online, I was given a tracking number for each. What a great idea that is! It completely personalized the shipping process for me as I watched my items leave the distribution center in the Northeastern U.S. and make it all the way to my home. They were even nice enough to email me when my packages had been delivered!

It was not that long ago that – it seemed – you dropped a package off to be shipped and it somehow magically arrived, usually after it seemed like it had taken too long. By letting people watch their package make its way through their New Jersey distribution center, UPS has done something incredible: increased their communication with the customer and therefore increased the level of trust.

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