Virtual Dispatch

The stage is set and the audience is quietly anticipating the starting of the song. The performer is ready. And then, the unthinkable occurs. The performer, falls into a faint! Flat on the floor.

Not only is it a surprise, but also a cause for alarm. The audience is surprised and uncertain if this is a part of the show. The performer is on the floor of the stage, oblivious. However, the show must go on. The performer snaps awake and saves the show!

Whether or not the preceding event actually takes place, isn’t as important as the recovery and follow through. The unthinkable occurs, and the moment is embarrassing, and the show went on. The performer recovered from the embarrassing moment. Barely.

A courier will have embarrassing moments while doing the job. It’s a given with the job, especially when things get busy. Embarrassing moments are a part of the job. The trick is recovering and following through.

Got Through

This is of interest because the details of the delivery scene are changing again. It was once given that almost every delivery would be contactless. This has changed. The once common (leave at the door) instruction, is becoming (meet at the door), once more.

My ratio is half of all deliveries are (meet at the door). Leaving cargo at the door, and snapping a pic, is easy and quick. The courier can be back in the ride before the pic has finished uploading. In contrast, the (meet at the door) delivery takes a little more TLC.

Doorbells and door knockers, as well as a good old fashioned hand knock on the door is the calling method at the door. The goal is to get the cargo handed off as quickly as possible. If the courier feels as though the wait has been long, it is ok to knock again or ring the doorbell again.

Most delivery apps allow the customer to track the courier. So, it is reasonable to think the customer will know the courier has arrived. However, anything could happen. Including the customer falling asleep or lounging by the pool out back. Without a phone.

A good technique for every delivery is the courtesy call, one mile out. For the answered call, I feel more confident they will be readily available at the door, once I’m there. If the phone is unanswered, the customer will get the doorbell. And my smiling face on the camera! 😁

The embarrassment goes away a little more each time that door is knocked on, or that doorbel is rung a second time! Stay safe out there!