Let’s talk about change.

If you’ve spent any time running a warehouse, you’ll know that change isn’t always welcome. Processes become habits, and those habits make life predictable. When you’ve got orders flying out the door and staff picking and packing as quickly as they can, the last thing you want to do is rock the boat.

I get it. I’ve been there.

Before I joined StoreFeeder, I spent over 20 years managing warehouses in the eCommerce world. I know what it’s like to hit peak trading and wonder how the team is going to keep up. I know the stress of shipping deadlines, backorders, and inaccurate stock counts. And I’ve experienced the chaos that ensues when you’re relying on spreadsheets and manual processes to keep everything moving.

So yes, change is hard. But let me tell you why embracing change, and adopting a Warehouse Management System (WMS) like StoreFeeder, can make all the difference.

It's why I joined StoreFeeder, to deliver a solution through a system that stops other warehouse managers and ecommerce business owners going through the same pain I did.

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The Pain of Staying the Same

Here’s the truth: doing things “the way they’ve always been done” feels safe, but in truth, it’s risky.

When you’re manually tracking stock and orders, errors creep in. Orders get mis-picked, stock levels become unreliable, and customer satisfaction takes a hit. On top of that, your team spends far too much time fixing problems that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

Sound familiar? It’s a problem I see time and time again when I speak to warehouse managers who haven’t yet made the leap to a proper WMS or taking full advantage of all the tools that a WMS system like StoreFeeder offers.

They know things could be better, but they’re hesitant to make the change.

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Why Change is Worth It

Adopting a WMS doesn’t just make your warehouse run more smoothly—it transforms how your entire operation works. Here’s what I’ve seen firsthand from businesses that have embraced systems like StoreFeeder:

• ‍Fewer Errors: A WMS removes the guesswork from picking, packing, and stock management. Barcode scanning, automated workflows, and real-time inventory updates ensure that mistakes are drastically reduced.
• ‍More Efficiency: Staff spend less time searching for stock, double-checking orders, or correcting errors. Instead, they can focus on getting orders out faster and keeping customers happy.
• ‍Scalability: A good WMS grows with you. Whether you’re handling 100 orders a day or 10,000, the right system keeps everything under control.
• ‍Better Data: You can’t fix what you can’t measure. With a WMS, you get clear insights into performance, stock trends, and bottlenecks, which means you can make smarter business decisions.

When you add it all up, a WMS doesn’t just save time and money—it gives you peace of mind. You can focus on growth and strategy instead of firefighting the same old problems.

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Overcoming the Fear of Change

I won’t sugarcoat it: implementing a WMS takes work. It requires time, planning, and training. Your team might push back initially, and there’s a learning curve to navigate. But here’s the thing: change doesn’t have to be chaotic.

At StoreFeeder, we’ve made it our mission to support businesses through that transition. We know that no two warehouses are the same, which is why our system is designed to be flexible and easy to integrate. And with a team that’s been in your shoes, we can help you map out the process step-by-step.

The result? A smoother transition and faster results.

I’ve been into businesses at the early stages of WMS implementation and spoken to the person who has “always packed orders this way” directly at their packing bench, and heard them say under their breath as I walk away, “this won’t work…”

But it is just the fear of change, will the new process expose weaknesses of personal shortcomings that they are able to mask with “the way we have done it for years”? No one wants to be “found out”.

But we explain that we are here to enhance their role, make it easier for them. The new process will result in less errors, less stress for them, less having to look for correct products and less manual actions. We just want to make life easier for them.

Generally, we return a month or so after implementation and I make a point of visiting those same people, to see if they want to go back to their old way of working. And in nearly 100% of people the answer is no.

They had the fear of change, but also had the courage to roll with the new processes, and by opening their minds to these changes, they as individuals are reaping the rewards as well as the business.

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The Bottom Line

Change is hard. But staying stuck in the past is harder.

If you’re still relying on spreadsheets, manual checks, picking order by order, manual product to order matching, and old-school processes, I challenge you to take a step back.

Imagine a warehouse where stock is always accurate, orders go out on time, and your team feels confident, not overwhelmed.

That’s what a WMS like StoreFeeder delivers. I’ve seen it firsthand in hundreds of warehouses across the UK, and I can promise you this: once you make the change, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

So, are you ready to take the leap in 2025?

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