DAT recently sponsored a great forum on how brokers and carriers can work together to help reduce detention. DAT and the contributors to the post made some great points, ones that we fully align with in our experience. There were three missing elements in the post that we'd like to offer:
1. Automation: You can have the best freight agents, and carriers on earth, but nothing ensures success like automated systems. Automating the communication of load, pickup, and delivery details is a key factor here, as is linking the critical agreements and documents into a seamless, accessible system-based process.
2. Up-front Communication: The DAT post certainly highlighted the importance of communication, but it didn't get to the specifics of how best to practice great communication. The key we've learned is to integrate processes and supporting systems communications to ensure effective, clear two-way communication from the moment of load booking. Timing is everything.
3. Care: The best, most experienced brokers weave preventive practices into their daily habits with both their customers and their carrier partners. It's not all about contracts and legal requirements...it's more about experienced agents who care - about their customers and their carriers.
These points may seem simple, but they require some ingredients that are not so simple - experienced agents, systems automation investments, and daily operational excellence. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Email us at info@executivefreight.com or visit us at www.executivefreight.com to chat or to learn more.
See the entire article and comment thread here:
http://www.dat.com/blog/post/Can-Freight-Brokers-Help-Reduce-Driver-Detention?utm_campaign=bnews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=mkto&MID=4628065&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWTJNeE1XSTFNMkZpWmpWbSIsInQiOiJsT1h6WWVzR2dNNFJmdGRsaEFZYXlFTXBkajhFXC9wVVFndmhBaHp1Q095NEtLaHBZbkFzaFhFT1h3anIzRlwvTlF1aFhWdVptYWxaaXhZUTRMYlwvK1FRM2s1eXEwdXZ4aXU1M1FkWGpyQVpPRT0ifQ%3D%3D.
Thanks, and keep on trucking!