The most important question customers ask leaflet distribution companies is this: “How do I know that my leaflets have actually been delivered ?” And the customer is right. In fact how do the managers and bosses in other distribution companies know for sure that every leaflets has been delivered by their distributors.
The traditional methods of control are two: close supervision and random back-checking. Recently vehicle tracking has beed added by many companies.
Harrow Leaflets is THE ONLY COMPANY IN THE UK to use 7 levels of checks and screening as listed opposites to guarrantee delivery itself, as well as accuracy and integrity of distribution. We are not satisfied by mere delivery. We also check that:
- Properties with (NO JUNK MAIL) sign, empty properties and addresses with full mailbox have been avoided
- Properties with more than 1 household had been delivered 1 leaflet per household
- Leaflets are not squashed in the letterbox but inserted as neatly as possible
- Leaflets are inserted inside and not left hanging from the outside
- Leaflets are kept dry and neat inside plastic bags durring rainy days
|
1. GPS tracking
WE TRACK INDIVIDUAL DISTRIBUTORS NOT VEHICLES
This is the tool that enables us to actually view through satellite where a distributor is. the two most important views are map view and satellite view (please click banner below to see a sample tracking session). we can even see if the distributor is actually going to the doors or not, and how many addresses covered. How cool is that?
|
|
2. Selection of recruits
This is an extreemly important aspect in our industry. for example an active pensioner in less likely to cut corners than a teenager with a bad attitude. And a local single mum is more trust worthy than someone on work vacation. We select our distributors very carefuly using various techniques to assess the suitability of candidates. Many of our distributors have been with us for years.
|
3. Pay and motivation of distributors
As the old saying goes: when you pay peanuts you get monkeys. We don’t exploit immigrants, We don’t employ illegals, we don’t exploit unemployed people. We pay our distributors more than the national minimum wage and we expect the job done. Our distributors have the option to come back to the depot if they feel tired and bring whatever leaflets left, and they still get paid.
|
4. Close supervision
No distributor goes alone. It is always our practice to send them in pairs one doing odd numbers the other doing even numbers. One an experienced trusted distributor who has a rank of supervisor and get paid extra for the responsibility, the other a normal distributor or new recruit.
|
5. Random back-checking
We randomly check between 8 and 16 addresses per 1000. this gives us an idea about the accuracy and integrity of distribution. Accuracy is reflected in say finding leaflets in houses no 3, 14, 51 and 88 on a particular road. Integrity is achieved when we find that only one leaflet of each (for shared) has been delivered and that the leaflets have been pushed neatly inside the letter box and not squashed together or left hanging to the outside.
|
6. Spot check
Each team knows well that at anytime anywhere there will be a spot check by a manager. they will be stoped while distributing, the maps checked according to the live GPS, and the remaining leaflets counted and compared to the GPS report.
|
7. Quantities
Experience has thaught us that leaflet distribution is a hard job especialy for distributors, and that a tired distributor is likely to start cutting corners. To distribute 1000 leaflets takes 7 to 9 hours and sometimes 10 or 11 hours in some areas. This is where the problems start. Our distributors do 500 to a maximum of 750 drops per day. 500 drops is the norm and should take between 3 and half to 4 and half hours, so there is less chance of getting tired and cutting corners.
|
