Trucking With Authority

Freight Brokers are an integral link in the supply chain. They offer a service to both shippers and to carriers. While there are many new companies out there trying to "cut out the middleman" and it's always been a drivers dream to get rid of brokers, they provide a human element to the industry that may prove impossible to replace with a computer. Let's discuss the different elements of what a freight broker does. While we're at it, let's look at some of the technology that is aimed at replacing the broker altogether. Is it possible?

After years of driving a truck and focusing on what the fleets have taught you, it's time to break away and run your business! Sometimes we have to focus on the bigger picture and stop focusing on "piece work." We'll discuss what that means and how we can change our thought process in business to further our understanding and more quickly reach our goals!

Are you ready to apply for your motor carrier operating authority? Wonder where to start and what is involved? Tonight join in as we discuss the step-by-step process of applying with FMCSA. We'll also cover everything you need to know to get started hauling freight under your own authority!

You've done your research. You've got your business plan. You've formed your new company. Now it's time to put all of that into action! What do you do first? Where do you start? Where do you find the resources? Where do you find the equipment? How will you get paid? Join us on today's show as we talk about getting started with your new business, setting up operations, and pushing forward toward your goals!

Now that your business plan is laid out, you need to form your new company. Tonight we'll discuss the differences between a Sole Proprietor, an LLC, and a Corporation. There are many myths surrounding the different options you have, but there are important reasons for chosing one over another and we'll cover all of that tonight.  We'll talk about everything from how to choose a good business name to filing the forms with your State.

Tonight will mark the first of a series of episodes to plan and start your new business. For many people, the new year will mark the start of a journey toward a new goal. It's often the best time to start a new venture in business. Tonight we will discuss one of the most important but also most overlooked aspects of starting a new business, creating a proper business plan. Before you do anything else to start your business you should have a detailed business plan in place. How do you create the plan? How do you put the plan in writing? How detailed does the plan need to be? Join us tonight as we answer those questions and more on tonight's show.

BROKER! For many carriers and drivers, that word is synonymous with many expletives. On the other hand, it's a role that many carriers cannot do without. For a shipper, it's a solution to problems that most small carriers can't provide. What does a freight broker really do? How does a freight broker fit into the overall business transaction of logistics? Understanding the bigger picture can help us as carriers solve the problems of our customers. On this show, we will explore the freight broker business model. We'll discuss not just how a freight brokerage operates, but even what it takes to become a broker yourself!

We've all heard about setting goals and staying focused, but are we really focused on the right things? Our businesses can take us in may directions and sometimes those changes in direction also require us to change our focus. Tonight let's discuss how our businesses can improve by taking another look and some areas where we may have lost focus. Press "1" at any time to come on the show and add your comments, suggestions, or to ask your questions!

As we roll into the 4th quarter we have a lot of things to get in order. Getting the office organized for the upcoming year-end obligations is always a high priority. Making sure the trucks, trailers, and other equipment is properly maintained for the season is especially important. Ensuring the safety of your drivers during the winter months and unpredictable weather conditions is of utmost importance. Communicating with your customers to make sure their needs are met during this transition period is also at the top of the list. How can we remember it all, get it done, and still keep our sanity? These are the issues all business owners face this time of year, but as motor carriers the responsibility and importance of getting it all done is exponential! Let's talk about some of the things we need to be mindful of and some tips on how to manage it all efficiently.

IFTA --- Learn how to buy your fuel, save money, and the requirements to file your quarterly returns! One of the most confusing programs in the trucking industry is IFTA. It's the fuel tax system truckers use every time they buy fuel. Understanding how it works can save you a ton of cash at the pump! Understanding the requirements can save you a huge headache when you file! Today we'll talk about some of the systems out there to help you track your mileage and fuel usage. We'll also talk about some of the techniques you can use to take advantage of different tax rates in every State that can put more money in your pocket.

With the turmoil in our country, what steps should you take to make sure that you and the shipment make it to your destination successfully?

There are many obstacles to overcome in the trucking industry. Each of them presents a unique opportunity. Keeping an open mind and seeing when an opportunity presents itself is a trait indicative of a true entrepreneur. Let's discuss the top hurdles we face today and how overcoming them could propel your business forward!

What role do you play in your business? What impact do you have on the industry? How do others interact with your role? Understanding these positions can help you form better plans and be more successful with your iterations with those filling other roles. Let's discuss that concept and everything else trucking related!

A win-win negotiation should have a lot of give and take. Trading concessions from each side of the negotiation for acceptable terms from the other can yield positive terms for everyone. However, once money becomes the topic of the negotiation, it is seldom a give and take of other terms and becomes haggling. People rarely find themselves in a position of win-win negotiating when it comes to haggling. Today we will discuss some tactics that can keep the flow of the negotiation going in your favor!

Sometimes we lose focus on our goals in a negotiation. Too oftern we skip right into haggling for the money. No matter how much training we do, the trucking industry has a way to drag us back into thinking about miles and money. We quickly forget all of the other factors that could add more money to the bottom line, not just today but long into the future. Every time we negotiate on a load we have an opportunity for so much more than just haggling over a few dollars. Today let's review some techniques that can help us all achieve that win-win scenario!

We go into business for many reasons, the biggest being money and freedom. Unfortunately, those take time and effort and too often new business owners throw in the towel before they ever reach their goals. You may ask yourself why. Usually it's because the goals they set were not realistic. Tonight we will talk about goal setting in the trucking industry. Let's be real with ourselves so that we can start to develop a plan to be successful. We can reach our dreams but not if we don't make them happen in reality!

Fix it, fix it right, and fix it right the first time! Those are the few things we expect from a repair shop when we need maintenance done. Unfortunately that's a tall order these days. How can we minimize our down time and find a shop that can keep our wheels turning, and not just his or her wrenches? Tonight we'll discuss some tips and tricks to find a shop that can do the job you need and do it right! We'll welcome any recommendations or tips that you've acquired while out on the road. We'll also discuss some things that you might decide are better to do yourself. A good repair shop can have a huge impact on your bottom line, so it's worth the effort to find that diamond in the rough.

Do you use all of your resources to their maximum potential? Are you fully aware of the resources that you have? Today's show is focused on recognizing the resources available to you and helping you utilize them to their fullest potential. It's too easy to fall into the loop of "just a truck driver," but we all have so much more to offer. Obviously your truck is one major resource that you rely upon for every load, but are you using it to it's maximum potential? What other resources are out there that we can use to help use be successful in our business? Let's discuss the resources we have and some we may not even think about!

"I left money on the table!" That's often the feeling after negotiating with a freight broker. The idea that brokers are taking advantage of the carriers is common in the transportation industry, especially when the market is such that the carrier finds his/herself without much leverage. Like it or not, brokers serve a very important role in the transportation chain which moves hundreds of thousands of loads each year. Without brokers most truckers would be out of business. Without trucks so too would brokers be left without a purpose. Let's discuss the mutual benefits that brokers and carriers have and how those benefits change as the market changes. We'll throw in a few negotiation techniques that may help fatten up your bottom line!

So you went out on your own and finally delivered your first load. Congratulations! Now you need to get paid. What paperwork do you need? Where do you send it? How can you guarantee payment? How long does it take? Someday this process will be second nature, but starting out it can be intimidating. Running your own business completely independent means you have to take on the role of accounting and collections. Don't worry, every business does it so you wont have to reinvent the wheel to make it work. We'll the process of sending invoices, software that may help, and what to do when tough customers try to drag out their payments.