Top 5 Ways Small Businesses Can Protect Themselves During a Dock Workers' Strike
Photo by Simon R. Minshall
When dock workers go on strike, small businesses are often hit hardest by disruptions in supply chains. While large corporations may have contingency plans in place, small businesses may not always have the same luxury. If you were unable to plan ahead, here are five ways to minimize losses and keep your business running smoothly during a dock workers' strike.
1. Leverage Local Suppliers and Shorten Supply Chains
Flexibility is key in a crisis. Small businesses can mitigate the impact of delayed imports by sourcing products locally or from domestic suppliers. Even if your usual suppliers are overseas, shifting to local alternatives—even temporarily—can keep you stocked up. Many businesses have succeeded by shortening their supply chains during past strikes, reducing reliance on vulnerable ports.
Pro tip: Reach out to other local businesses and collaborate to find alternative supply sources. This can build resilience in your community and help secure materials more quickly.
2. Adjust Your Product Line
If key materials or products are delayed, consider temporarily pivoting to items that are easier to source or produce. During a strike, some products may be impossible to get, but others may still be available through unaffected suppliers. In past labor strikes, businesses that adapted their product offerings were able to keep sales steady.
For example, a small retailer could focus on items already in stock or shift to promoting services over physical products during the disruption. Highlighting products made in-house or sourced from unaffected areas can keep your sales flowing even when imports stall.
3. Implement Real-Time Inventory and Shipping Updates for Customers
Clear communication with your customers is essential during a crisis. If planning ahead wasn’t possible, use real-time updates to manage expectations. Tools like automated shipping notifications, email alerts, and social media updates can keep customers informed about delays, helping to maintain trust and avoid cancellations.
Being transparent can also give you some leeway with customer expectations, as they’ll appreciate being kept in the loop. Many small businesses in the past have avoided customer backlash by proactively communicating about delays and offering alternatives, such as pre-orders or discounts on late deliveries.
4. Collaborate with Other Small Businesses
Teaming up with other small businesses in your area or industry can offer new solutions during a strike. Sharing transportation resources, pooling orders, or even negotiating group deals with suppliers can reduce costs and delays. This approach was used effectively during past dock worker strikes when small businesses banded together to weather the disruptions.
Additionally, connecting with local co-ops or wholesale groups can grant access to alternative supply channels that aren’t as reliant on international imports.
5. Offer Flexible Payment Options and Discounts
To minimize potential revenue loss from delayed shipments or reduced stock, consider offering your customers flexible payment terms. Payment plans, discounts for pre-orders, or free shipping for delayed items can help maintain sales momentum during a challenging period. This is a tactic that has helped small businesses retain customer loyalty even when products were delayed in past strikes.
If you’re unable to deliver a product on time, offering partial refunds or store credits can also help maintain goodwill. Customers are more likely to remain patient if they feel valued and informed.
While dockworkers' strikes can have severe consequences for small businesses, quick adaptability and strong communication can help you manage disruptions. Even without advance planning, strategies like sourcing locally, adjusting your product line, and maintaining transparency with customers can soften the blow. By staying flexible and proactive, your small business can navigate the uncertainties of a dock workers’ strike with less disruption.
