In general, without inventory organization, the risk of losing sales increases. Efficient control also helps reduce waste and unnecessary costs, providing a clear view of what sells the most, what gets stuck, and what needs urgent replenishment. This allows for more confident decisions regarding purchases and promotions. However, why do so many entrepreneurs still struggle to keep their inventory organized?
Although they understand the importance of this task, there is often a lack of time or manpower to keep the spreadsheet always up to date. Therefore, we have listed the 3 most common mistakes and the best way to solve them. A spoiler: keeping the inventory control updated is possible and becomes much easier with the help of technological tools that automate management more simply, without rework, and at a great cost-benefit.
Mistakes of ineffective inventory control
Relying on memory: relying on the team’s memory leaves room for errors. Items can be recorded twice, forgotten, or counted incorrectly. The fact is that when the product is not available at the right time, the customer simply gives up on the purchase. Therefore, the secret is to automate the inventory control. Today, there are smart systems on the market suitable for businesses of various sizes, such as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Promotions at the wrong time: a promotion at the wrong time can affect revenue and send the wrong message to customers. This strategic mistake has everything to do with the inventory control. In sectors like food, cosmetics, and medicine, leaving products sitting for too long can mean total loss. This often happens when there is no clear control of item inflows and outflows. To solve this, switching to an inventory control system means getting real-time reports that show which items sell the most (and which ones don’t), without forgetting to organize product rotation by expiration date.
Manual spreadsheets: manual spreadsheets work until your business starts growing and the time to manage organization becomes increasingly scarce. The result is that when revenue increases, many companies reduce service quality and end up failing due to management errors. In this scenario, a good inventory control system makes all the difference, as it automates processes, prevents errors, and ensures more agility in the entire operation. In the end, the company gains potential for sustainable growth without the need for major investments.
How to choose the ideal inventory management system
The lack of inventory control directly affects revenue and the company’s reputation. Few entrepreneurs know that there are already smart tools to simplify the entire process and ensure there are no errors that cause losses. When choosing a solution, it is important to look for platforms with easy integration with other systems, designed for businesses of all sizes.