The driver shortage is one of the most compelling issues facing fleet managers and company owners. Recently the ATA predicted that over the next decade we will need close to 100,000 new truck drivers a year to replace those who are retiring or leaving the industry. ... Read More

Fortune magazine’s Geoff Colvin recently wrote a very insightful article entitled Your Business Model is Obsolete. It’s an intriguing read.

Senior executives have a variety of responsibilities that include ensuring the profitability and increased value of the respective business unit; meeting with customers to fortify enduring and mutually beneficial relationships; leading the strategic planning effort; guiding new product and service development to meet ever-changing customer requirements; and continued enhancement of human capital to assure the vibrancy and legacy of the organization.... Read More

I was recently at a conference in Boston where the organizers alleged that around the world, more people own cell phones than they do toothbrushes. Since then, I have used this little factoid in some of my own presentations and it never fails to get a gasp from the audience. (Google it if you like – there has been research) The proliferation of cellphones and especially smartphones, is one of the most important technological advancements of the last decade for sure. ... Read More

In my last blog I ended with the thought that I would look at crowd funding for university research. This blog is about that, but you have got to get though the following idea to get to that idea.

As you may have gathered from my prior blogs, I have taken an interest in all things related to the wheel end, including tires and wheels and because of this blog, I recently got involved with a company that wants me to use my skills to get the word out about a facet of wheel end maintenance that many ignore or totally misunderstand.... Read More

At HNI, we use the term “wicked problems” to describe the deeper, more complex issues that are really at the heart of risk for businesses.

Leaders are constantly called on to solve problems. 99% of the time, these problems miss the point. There is usually something much bigger behind the fires they’re being asked to put out, and many make the mistake of focusing on the symptoms, and not the root cause - the “WICKED problem”.... Read More

After several discussions about my previous blog entitled “How to Sell Snake Oil and Mouse Milk to Unsuspecting Trucking Companies”, I felt a follow-up blog was in order.

I don’t remember exactly where I read this, but I came across the term, “niche celebrity” in an article about social media. The idea of the article was, through social media, bloggers, like here on Big Truck TV, are on their way to becoming trucking celebrities.

The first trucking industry celebrity, if I had to name one, would be Jim Hebe of International and Freightliner fame. What is funny, not only did I study karate with Chuck Norris, but I sold Jim Hebe on being a pioneer on rebuilding fan clutches in his dealership back in the 1980’s - so I know a little about celebrities.... Read More

So what will happen? The Bush tax cuts, payroll tax cuts designed to pull us out of the recession, and estate tax reforms expire December 31, 2012. Even though the Congress and the President are talking, the President, fresh from his victory, is lecturing in an inflexible manner. Estate tax liability is in flux. It’s difficult to achieve compromise and save face under such terms. Unemployment benefits have been extended ad infinitum.... Read More

From an economic perspective, we are embarking on some perilous times. The economic and financial “cliff” looms very large and casts a long shadow over strategy formulation for future expansion plans by motor carriers. While the economy has shown some positive signs of recovery, motor carriers need to proceed with caution in preparation for future operations.... Read More