Merriam-Webster defines collaborate as a verb meaning, "to work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor."

In Supply Chain Management collaboration is essential for the seamless transfer of property, paperwork and accountability from the shipper to the receiver. Why would this process be compromised by anyone within the sequence?... Read More

This post was written by Bill Kistner for Duff Swain and Trincon Group.

Extensive research by Michigan State University has shown that traditional hiring methods only provide a 14% likelihood of a successful hire. This means that more than eight out of ten times you will not get the right person for the job. That gives you, if you are lucky, two good drivers out of the ten you hired.... Read More

I recently asked a question on a LinkedIn thread about leadership qualities. Adam B from the U.K. was kind enough to email me a link to a presentation on leadership that he came across. Since it's by someone who should know a thing or two about the topic (General Colin Powell Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff), I thought I would share it you all. Since it's comprised of 18 lessons Gen. Powell has learned about leadership, I have broken it down into three parts, with each part comprised of six lessons. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.... Read More

Create a Transition

Transition new drivers into the job and their usage of the company truck. In the process, protect your investment by assuring they have retained what they learned in orientation. The most practical way to do this is by having an experienced driver trainer go with the driver on his or her first series of loads. This reinforces what was learned in orientation and gets the new driver off on a positive start. It is also one more opportunity to make sure the new driver is qualified and a good fit.... Read More

In part 2 of my 5-part series on driver retention I focus on the reasons most drivers give for quitting, and touch on a series of simple changes carriers can implement to stem the exodus of drivers from their company.

Why Drivers Leave

Repeatedly, this fact is proven: Drivers leave companies because they perceive a lack of communication and feel like they are not respected or valued. It is not a pay issue. Time and time again trucking companies have increased pay, only to find that the driver will still leave, blaming poor earnings or lack of miles.Read More

Preserving evidence in the event of an accident is crucial to minimizing one's liability exposure. This is Part 5 in a 9 part series of related discussions. The full list of the parts to this series appears following this installment.

Companies typically conduct investigations of accidents in which their equipment is involved, often through a "safety committee". Such investigations frequently include a "preventability" finding in conjunction with the accident. While there are legitimate reasons to conduct such investigations (e.g. the attempt to avoid similar accidents in the future), they should be conducted with their potential impact on related civil litigation in mind.... Read More

To quote the late great Jim Morrison of The Doors, "Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel." Maybe Jim was giving us a little insight into our current state, or maybe he was just stating the obvious?

At any rate, most of you are probably aware; the US government has issued a ban on truckers and bus drivers from texting while driving. This has evoked quite a stir in the transportation community and I think the consensus is that it's the right thing to do. When you factor in the risk of potential accidents and the safety of those around you, it certainly becomes an issue that can't (and shouldn't) be ignored. The purpose of the ban is certainly not single out those driving the big rigs, but is instead a broader effort aimed at improving the driving habits of ALL drivers, professional and non-professional. I applaud the government and Secretary Ray LaHood for taking a stance, but I think we should also take a step back and look at how we got here... innovation!... Read More

Recently I heard the song "Angels Among Us" (by the group Alabama) and it transported me back to a time that exemplifies the song's meaning. It was in the early 1990s and my family and I were at the Alabama concert at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. Freedom Hall was packed with professional drivers and their families for the concert that was hosted by Kenworth.... Read More

Over a year ago, trucking industry leaders called the nation's attention to the dangers of text messaging and cell phone use on the road. ATA recommended restricting texting and cell phone use by all drivers. While many trucking companies already restrict their drivers' use of these technologies, the rest of America is just waking up to the dangers of distracted driving.... Read More