Knowledge management in logistics: Overcoming the main challenges
Blog | Customer insights
In logistics, keeping all employees up to date is a constant challenge. Particularly in an industry where routes, regulations, and operational procedures frequently change, it’s crucial to transfer knowledge quickly and efficiently. Highlighting four most essential challenges, this article shows how digital solutions in the logistics sector can help overcome complex challenges and improve employee retention at the example of BBG and other companies in the logistics sector.
1. High employee turnover and continuous training: A challenge for the logistics industry
High employee turnover is common in logistics, whether in freight transportation or public transit. New employees need to be onboarded quickly and thoroughly, which can be a significant challenge in a dynamic environment where regulations and workflows are constantly changing. Without fast and effective onboarding, mistakes can occur, leading to inefficient processes and reduced quality.
The Problem: New employees must not only learn a variety of routes and schedules but also handle changing construction sites, diversions, and new regulations. Experienced employees may have this memorized, but for newcomers, it’s often a steep learning curve.
The Solution: Barnimer Busgesellschaft (BBG), a public transportation provider near Berlin, developed an innovative onboarding program where apprentices used GoPro cameras to document routes and turn them into dynamic video courses. These videos, which showcase both standard routes and diversions with all their details, are accessible to all employees on the eLearning platform, providing a clear overview of all routes and changes. This saves time, enhances learning, and helps train employees quickly and efficiently.
➡️ Read more about BBG:
With GoPro and LMS to better route knowledge and performance
2. The challenge of effective communication and training across multiple locations
Whether in a logistics center, a distribution warehouse, or a bus company, one of the greatest challenges in the logistics sector is effective communication and training across multiple locations. How do you ensure that all employees – whether in the warehouse, in the office or on the road – are always informed and up to date?
The Problem: In large logistics or transportation companies, communication is often fragmented. Information about changes in procedures, new regulations, or route updates can be difficult to spread and may be overlooked by individual employees or departments. Employees often feel isolated and poorly informed.
The Solution: By introducing a communication and learning platform, a central hub for communication and training is created, enabling the overcoming of communication barriers. The news section in the app allows all employees – whether in the depot or out on the road – to be informed about new developments. Changes to routes, diversions, or safety regulations are communicated in real time, ensuring everyone is aligned and operations run efficiently.
3. Training on demand: Learning when it fits
The logistics industry is inherently decentralized. Employees rarely have simultaneous availability for extensive training programs, yet they still need to stay up to date. How do you ensure that employees always have access to the training they need without disrupting their workflow?
The Problem: Traditional training methods in logistics often require long, fixed time slots that are hard to integrate into the tight schedules of daily operations. Especially for employees who work on the road or in warehouses, it is often difficult to attend fixed training sessions.
The Solution: A mobile, flexible platform that allows employees to complete required training directly from their smartphone or tablet – whenever it fits into their schedule, whether during a break or in quieter moments. This enables learning to be seamlessly integrated into daily tasks without hindering operational efficiency.
Another tip from BBG: Use breaks sensibly. Bus drivers often have idle time between trips, which is usually not paid for. However, if the employee takes a mandatory course during this time, this is compensated as paid working time.
“We can teach the content and the employees can do their job better. They use the time for this, when it’s not worth it for them to go home. It's a win-win situation for both.”
4. Employee engagement and retention: It’s about more than just training
Effective onboarding and continuous training are important, but true employee retention requires more. In the logistics sector, working conditions can be challenging, and it takes more than just training to keep employees engaged for the long term.
The Problem: In many logistics companies, employee engagement is often measured simply by participation in training or task completion. However, true engagement and retention are fostered through ongoing communication, active feedback, and a positive corporate culture.
The Solution: At BBG, the team spirit is strengthened through the platform. The app allows multiple authors to create learning content, so not only management but also employees themselves are actively involved in the knowledge-sharing process.
Additionally, employees can provide feedback on the content and contribute new ideas, which boosts engagement. Daily updates and relevant, light-hearted content are also provided in the app to further enhance employee motivation.
Further read: Logistics staff on the road to success
Results – A holistic approach to onboarding and knowledge transfer
Thanks to the flexible learning solution, a scalable system for onboarding and continuous learning has been created, simplifying knowledge sharing and training across the company. All relevant content – from route and schedule knowledge to safety training and company updates – is available in one central location.
Academy: Onboarding and specific training are available at any time.
Library: All relevant resources, from schedules to safety guidelines, are instantly accessible.
News: Employees are kept informed with regular updates.
Community: The exchange among employees is encouraged, fostering a strong company culture.
Conclusion: The future of knowledge sharing in logistics
The award-winning learning platform developed by Barnimer Busgesellschaft demonstrates how the strategic use of technology and communication in logistics can not only improve onboarding and employee training but also enhance engagement and retention in the long term. The flexibility of the digital learning platform enables logistics companies to quickly adapt to new demands while improving operational efficiency and safety.
Want to learn more about how you can implement similar solutions in your logistics company? Download the detailed use case and discover how you can optimize knowledge sharing and onboarding in your organization!
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