Customers Trying to Find Freight Brokers Look For 7 Things

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Allen Campbell

One key to running any successful business is to know what potential customers are looking for. So here’s a summary of what those trying to find freight brokers want to see:

1. Proper licensing – Nothing scares potential clients away more than the fear that you might be shady. And that’s exactly what they’ll think if you don’t have a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Amazingly, some brokers try to operate without this all-important piece of paper. That puts them at risk, and serves as a red flag for potential clients. So, if you haven’t got your FMCSA license yet, get it right away.

2. Multiple modes – The best brokers offer more than just OTR tractor-trailer services. Sometimes freight must go by flatbeds, reefers, train, padded van, or air. If you have connections with these carriers, you’ll quickly become the brokerage of choice for clients who need to utilize these different options.

3. Choose the carriers you work with carefully – Anyone familiar with the trucking industry knows that there are people out there operating rigs with no insurance or CDL. Your customers don’t want anything to do with them and neither should you. Make certain that all drivers you work with have their ducks in a row before offering them a contract.

4. Use e-mail to stay in touch with drivers – Clients will want to know how you match carriers to particular loads. They also want to know that you can confirm the freight was picked up and delivered according to the agreement. The best way to assure them that you’re on top of this is to keep written records of your contact with the driver. In this electronic age, the best way to do that is with e-mail. Of course phone conversations are fine too, but back up agreements with something that can be printed out or sent to clients.

5. Good credit counts – No one wants to work with a business that’s on the verge of bankruptcy. Potential clients will want to know that you pay your vendors on time, and that you don’t have any liens or judgments against your brokerage. Make sure you are paying your bills in full and as promptly as possible, and you’ll come out ahead in the long run.

6. How long you’ve been in business matters – This is one of the unpleasant facts that new brokers must face. You may possess all the necessary paperwork. You might be totally honest and have an extensive network of reliable, experienced carriers. But if you just hung out your shingle yesterday, so to speak, you’re still going to be viewed with suspicion by those looking to find freight brokers. You can partially compensate for this in several ways:

 Don’t bring up the age of your business unless you’re asked about it.

 If you are asked, emphasize the positives. If you were a professional driver for 20 years before becoming a broker, tell them that. If you’ve completed training programs that give you an edge over more established brokerages, mention that as well. If all else fails, then compete on price. Charge less than older businesses, at least until you’ve proven yourself.

 Seek clients among smaller or highly specialized companies – the big boys often overlook these clients, and they may be more willing to work with a new broker. They’ll have fewer loads for you, but they’re a fantastic way to build your reputation. When they see you treat your clients right, they’ll give you positive word of mouth with their contacts.

7. Join professional associations – The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the “Better Business Bureau” of freight brokers. To be a member, you must abide by a strict code of ethics. Joining the TIA or similar groups shows that you’re serious about running your business properly, which clients love to see.

Of course none of these suggestions will do you much good if you’re not properly organized. TruckingOffice software makes organization easy, so you know what’s going on at all times with your clients, your fleet, and your employees. Our product is easy to learn and to use, so get in touch with us today to see how we can help you get organized!

Truck Driver Health Issues and How to Avoid Them

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Staff

Truck driving has a lot going for it; the pay can be good, and there’s nothing like the freedom of the open road. It does have its drawbacks, however. Being stuck in a cab for hours on end, eating fatty foods, and enduring periods of loneliness can all take a toll on truck driver health.

The good news is that there is plenty you can do to stay healthy while driving a truck, including:

1. Regular exercise – This, along with a proper diet, is crucial to preventing obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other ailments that commonly affect truck drivers. Of course, truckers rarely have access to gyms or exercise equipment – although more and more truck stops are beginning to add them. But that need not stop you from doing basic exercises that will keep you in good overall health.

2. Muscle strengthening – Pushups require very little space, and you can buy special handgrips that make them easier on your wrists. A lot of drivers do a daily regimen of pushups, sit-ups, and squats/deep knee bends. Those three basic exercises, which most of us did in high school, can be all you need to stay strong and fit. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

3. Aerobic exercises – Of course, in order to get the maximum benefit, you should add some form of aerobic exercise to the mix. This can be more difficult to accommodate than muscle-building exercises for long-haul truckers, but with a little creativity, it can usually be accomplished. Several minutes of swift walking around the property of a rest stop may be all you need. Find out which truck stops have treadmills or exercise bikes and make a point of refueling there when possible. If all else fails, running in place offers great benefits as well.

4. Proper diet – What tastes better than a plate of chicken fried steak smothered in gravy, followed up by a giant slice of your favorite pie? The answer is simple: nothing. Let’s be honest, fatty foods taste delicious. But if we overindulge in them, there’s a heavy price to pay in terms of one’s waistline, cholesterol levels, and even life expectancy. Fortunately truck stops offer items like salads, low-fat soups, grilled chicken dishes, and others that taste wonderful, yet are lower in saturated fat and calories. Another option is to enroll in one of those meals-through-the-mail programs advertised on TV. The food gets shipped to your house, there’s no need for mixing or measuring, and in many cases a microwave is the only cooking device involved.

5. See a health care professional – This can be difficult when you’re a thousand miles from home, as most doctor’s offices don’t offer parking for tractor-trailers. The good news is this situation is changing – thanks to the trend towards opening clinics in department stores, pharmacy chains, and other locations that truckers can access. These clinics are staffed either by physicians, doctor’s assistants, or highly trained nurses, and they are equipped with a full range of medical equipment. Plus, it’s easier than ever for health care workers to see your medical records, since more and more of them are being converted to electronic formats. And of course, some of the larger truck stops have dentists, chiropractors, and even doctors on site nowadays to help ensure truck driver health. So take advantage of these services while on the road.

6. A healthy mind and a healthy body go together – Unfortunately, long-distance drivers often pay a price in terms of loneliness, depression, or low self-esteem. If you find yourself feeling lonely or depressed while on the road, the first step is to get an examination. You might benefit from antidepressant medication. There are also toll-free numbers you can call to speak to counselors, as well as websites where you can talk with one over the Internet. If you are a religious person, hundreds of truck stops hold services for drivers every week. Some even have a full-time chaplain on staff. Use these options if they will help you to feel better.

As a trucking company, you want to take the best possible care of your drivers, your trucks, and your company. Having the right trucking management software goes a long way towards helping you keep track of all three. TruckingOffice comes with easy-to-use applications that make every aspect of running a brokerage not only easier, but also more profitable. Check out our site and contact us with any questions you have.

Three of the Best Trucks Stops in the USA

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Staff

For weary drivers, there’s nothing like a clean, inviting place to pull off the road for a while, have a good meal, and maybe even enjoy some shopping or other fun activities. Here’s a look at three of America’s best truck stops that offer all that and more:

1. Iowa 80 – located just off I-80 in Walcott, Iowa. This place is to truck stops what Godzilla is to movie monsters: the biggest, baddest one around. Amenities include a 50,000 item store, a food court that would be the envy of any mall, a trucker’s specialty shop with a full-size tractor-trailer parked in it, a movie theater, and medical care with dentists and chiropractors on site. Open since 1964, they’ve had in excess of 64 million visitors over the years.

2. Porky’s Truck Stop (also known as “South of the Border”) – located near Hamer, SC. This stop is legendary not only among truckers but regular motorists as well. Amenities include an award-winning Mexican-themed dining, a hotel with an indoor heated pool, a full-service campground, numerous souvenir shops, an amusement park, and an artificial lagoon populated by turtles, snakes, and crocodiles. This pace would make a great vacation destination all by itself.

3. Jubitz Travel Center – spread across 26 acres just outside of Portland, Oregon. The centerpiece of this massive facility is the Portlander Inn and Marketplace. There you’ll find the world-famous Moe’s Deli, which serves some of the best sandwiches anywhere. You can also spend time in the always-open video arcade, see a first-run movie in the cinema, or enjoy live music in one of the lounges. In 2003 Jubitz was named “world’s classiest truck stop” by the Travel Channel.

One thing you’ll find at all of these places is free Wi-Fi Internet access, because computers have become an indispensable part of everyday life. When you’re in need of PC applications for your brokering business, look no further than TruckingOffice. Our easy-to-use, intuitive trucking management software gives you the ability to manage every aspect of your company. Contact us today to see how we can make your business more profitable.