The Best Brokers Reduce Carrier Detention

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!

New Federal Overtime Rules May Hit Hard

As you know if you follow us on our blog or in social media, we're fans of smart, sensible, focused regulation. When written and implemented properly, regulation can serve all constituents in an industry well, and that certainly applies to transportation. However, these new overtime rules for employers seem to have lost the "smart, sensible" element. DAT has a good summary that you can read here, but the upshot is that these new rules will force the hands of many businesses in America to choose between being fair with employees and being profitable (so that they can continue to have those employees at all). As with any new regulation, this will require you to spend some time analyzing the data specific to your company and circumstances, and then make decisions on how to best implement changes to both keep your employees treated well and to keep your bottom line healthy. Let us know what you think of the new rules.

Keep on trucking!

Carriers...To create your own brokerage? Or not?

DAT recently published an informative article about how to create your own brokerage to extend the strong carrier business that you may currently have established, which would leverage your customer base to win more business. We agree that they've nailed the steps to get your own brokerage, but there's just one problem -- each of these steps represents significant cost, time, and risk. The time and money required to establish a brokerage-friendly TMS solution that's 100% paperless is daunting enough, and then add to that the additional overhead costs of those fixed expenses, and you have a formula for potentially eroding your bottom line, not strengthening it.

At Executive Freight, we offer established Carriers with great customers a cost-free, risk-free path to extending your business with brokerage services. Our Affiliate Agent program does just that by providing you with instant brokerage technology to get you 100% paperless, and the back office services to have you up and running inside a week. You 'll be earning revenue as soon as you can book your first load. If you're interested in extending your business with zero risk, contact us today.

If you want to read the full DAT article, check it out here.

Protect Yourself Against Carrier Fraud

We work with a lot of great Carriers in this business, but all of us who work with independent freight carriers can be susceptible to fraud if we're not diligent. This is a topic that gets, and deserves, a lot of attention. Fortunately, the tools available to us to combat fraud and keep our customers and fellow brokers safe have expanded substantially. There are some common practices to ensuring that you're dealing with a legitimate carrier:

• Look for related CSA authorities, as this may be an indicator of potential issues
• Analyze any lapses in authority carefully...repeated patterns can be a sign of trouble
• Carefully compare contact information with other information you have in your files, and with other information available on the internet
• Verify insurance policy details directly with the insurance carrier...don't accept it from the carrier alone

We firmly believe that the foundation to achieving all of the above in a reliable, consistent, and efficient manner is to invest in technology and automate your processes. Without technology and inline carrier verification automation built into your process, you don't stand a decent chance of staying ahead of the fraudsters, and protecting your business or your customers' business. To learn more about the options available to you, contact us or us the great resources at TIA.

Keep on trucking!

TIA Execs Cite Risks & Opportunities in Logistics

Bob Voltmann and Jeff Tucker, president and chairman of TIA respectively, recently addressed an industry group in logistics to address the key issues affecting our industry over the next one to three years. They rightly cited risks for those players who don't invest, and opportunities for those that do. At Executive Freight, we see many of the issues they highlighted on the ground every day:

• Regulation: Tucker and Voltmann cite a few key risks of possible regulation, not the least of which is the Obama administration's lean toward doubling the overtime threshold. They rightly point out that these unknowns will continue to keep the industry in limbo in terms of how to prepare for changes in the landscape that will require us all to remain adaptive. As a member of TIA, we fully support their lobbying efforts and those of other organizations like the Chamber of Commerce to stem the effects of unintended consequences of harmful legislation and mandates.
• Driver talent: Talent in any industry is always pivotal, and trucking in no exception. Experienced, qualified, and conscientious drivers make all the difference. Over the years, we have seen ups and downs in availability of professional talent. In recent years, we see the best talent moving to opportunities to either work with smaller carriers with more perks and flexibility, or on their own to capitalize on opportunities for more independence. We strongly believe that to be successful, shippers have to stay connected to this evolving talent pool. This will be especially true in coming years as the logistics pattern shifts with increasing volumes of same-day delivery, which will require new and different approaches to both distribution strategies/density, as well as local delivery.
• Technology: Tucker makes a strong point that those in our industry who don't embrace technology shifts to drive more quality and efficiency should be weeded out from the pack He also notes that technological change has to come to the carrier qualification process, or else the industry will face bigger risks. We believe that technology shifts to 100% paperless qualification and processing are essential to ensuring the highest levels of quality. Straight-through processing of carrier qualification and downstream load processing is a must for the future. Those who haven't started down that adoption path are already behind the curve.

We believe in the fundamental professionalism and adaptability of our industry as a whole...we've seen change shape positive improvements over the past 15 years. If you're in this business for the long haul, you have to adopt a philosophy that welcomes change, embraces technology, and participates actively in shaping regulations and mandates. If you'd like to learn more about how we do that at Executive Freight, or if you'd just like to chat more about these topics, send us a note or give us a call.

You can read the full article here.

Keep on trucking!

Canada’s Biggest Retailer Innovates in Transportation

Canada’s biggest retailer, and one of its most venerable brands, recently announced that it has received approval to deploy a limited number of its newest transportation innovation – the 60-foot trailer. Most Americans may not be familiar with Canadian Tire, but all Canadians are, with the majority visiting a Canadian Tire store at least once a week. Suffice it to say, you don’t get that kind of customer loyalty without innovating in your business. The 60-foot trailer is the latest example of that from the storied retailer.

Canadian Tire is looking to create more efficiencies, lower the costs, and increase their environmental citizenship. The new trailers hold the promise to help Canadian Tire, and potentially other shippers in the future, lower its costs, improve efficiencies, and reduce its carbon emissions. Canadian Tire’s pilot shares some of the same goals as the Walmart Canada so-called “Supercube” trailer from a few years back, but the design specifics vary a bit.

We certainly share some concerns that certain groups have shared, including the tendency of the “one size fits all” approach that the transportation regulators take.  On the other hand, we are always excited to see some of our industry’s participants pushing the innovation envelope. All of us at Executive Freight applaud any members of our transportation community for stepping out from the norm to bring new ideas to the market. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think.

http://www.gobytrucknews.com/60-foot-trailers-coming-soon/123

http://www.trucknews.com/transportation/canadian-tire-deploy-north-americas-first-60-ft-containers/1003062164/

Easter Celebrations with Executive Freight

Many members of the Executive Freight Agent family celebrated Easter a couple of weeks ago. You'll notice that some even offered their talents to the observance of Easter within their own congregations.  Hope everyone out there enjoyed the Easter weekend!

Happ Easter from Executive Freight!

Happy Easter from all of us at the Executive Freight family.  We hop you have a wonderful day with family and friends enjoying the blessings in your life.

meet raj singh - executive freight's newest agent

Amrinder (Raj) Singh was born in India and moved to the US with his family when he was eight years old in search of better opportunities. Raj never remembers a time when he didn't work hard, starting with his first job on the farms after school and on the weekends. Raj was a high school wrestler and football player, where he was recognized for his sportsmanship. He earned his Associates degree from California as a General Motors Automotive Technician (GM ASEP) and had a great working experience as an automotive technician, where he learned valuable skills and perspectives that would help him in his freight industry career.

Raj moved to North Carolina in 2006 in pursuit of a new business venture - he's always loved new challenges. He started a transportation business with his older brother. He has over 10 years of great logistics industry experience operating a transportation business as a driver, and as a Vice President with AAA Trucking, Inc. Raj is a devoted family man, as you'll see from his profile pictures. His work passion is building and running his own business, and he's excited about the opportunity that Executive Freight gives him to continue that growth.

Welcome to the Executive Freight family, Raj!

Meet Mary Dickerson - Executive Freight's newest Agent!

Mary has been dispatching and managing trucking since 2004 with her husband,  David Dickerson.  They have grown a successful carrier business, added more trucks, and even brought their kids into it.  It’s a real family business! We have had the privilege of working with Sunrise Transportation for years as a carrier, and we're excited to be able to call Mary a member of our Agent family!

To read more about Mary, please check out her bio.

Welcome to the family, Mary!

Driver Shortage Trending

This research study provides an enlightening view of the statistical trends, causes, and opportunities behind what is an increasingly big issue in our industry -- a shortage of quality, experienced truckload OTR drivers.  Here are a few highlights that we agree with fully:  we all need to treat drivers with the respect they deserve, we need to fight for smarter and lighter regulation, and we need to not lower our standards for the quality of driver that we expect.

ATA Truck Driver Shortage Analysis 2015

At Executive Freight, we're fortunate to have cultivated relationships with some of the stalwarts of the freight industry in the form of our extensive, quality, longstanding Carrier Network.  Our commitment to professional treatment, fair and rapid pay, and quality load opportunities ensures that we can fill load demand for our Customers when no one else can.

Whether you're with Executive Freight or other freight partners, please remain vigilant in monitoring carrier and driver quality, as well as promoting the respectful treatment of all of our valued partners in this business...especially our drivers.  After all, it's our industry to protect...for the good of everyone for the "long haul"!

If you want to talk with us about how we can help you sustain high load fill rates with the highest quality Carriers, please contact us today.

Keep on trucking!

Fuel Prices Stuck in Neutral

As an industry, we’ve been experiencing the benefits, challenges, and downright uncertainties that have accompanied the recent unprecedented bottom in global oil prices.  This dynamic has driven the price of fuel, which is so vital an ingredient to the health and predictability of our industry, to levels not seen since 2005.  Here’s a great article from Transport Topics that we think summarizes the global oil futures market nicely.

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=41058&page=1

We dare say that none of us ever foresaw the return of fuel prices with a leading “1”, and we had become accustomed to the pricing stability and dynamics that much higher fuel had brought to our industry.  Sustained lower fuel prices have empowered shipping customers and carriers to meet mutual needs to keep our economic engine running smoothly, and that is certainly a welcome benefit for our economy.  While on one hand we welcome the return of more favorable economics for our shipping customers, the current environment also ushers in some downside risks for the industry, and for our shipping customers in particular.  Sustained lower fuel prices invite new players onto the playing field, many for a return visit.  While we welcome a dynamic, competitive market in our industry that grows the pie for everyone, we should be vigilant in selecting our business partners.  All of us in the industry for a decade or more fully understand and appreciate the value of dependability, stability, and quality.  The inevitable expansion of players in our industry can sometimes present risks of instability to the very customers and partners they enter to serve.  At Executive Freight, we’ve been fortunate to maintain quality longstanding relationships with the pillars of the carrier industry through our own carrier network.  These relationships continue to benefit our shipping customers by guaranteeing consistent service levels and a partnership that they can count on day to day, regardless of how industry dynamics shift from week to week, month to month, or year to year.  If you’re a shipper in these uncertain and changing times, whether you’re with Executive Freight or another brokerage partner that you trust, it’s vital for the health of your business and the health of our industry that you choose partners that you can trust to deliver for you daily, and to be around years from now to serve you.  If you’re uncertain of the stability and reliability of your partners, please feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our perspective on this important topic.

Happy trucking!