Several sources I spoke to this week confirmed that the freight volumes have dropped at the ocean ports and in the LTL sector.

It is safe to say that all freight will not disappear. As long as we need food to eat and other household items, we will continue to see freight.

In this episode, I share suggestions for shippers and carriers to re-evaluate their strategies. 

Today I am talking about strategy. Strategy will help your organization be profitable.

According to Schermer and Bachrach," leaders craft strategies for competitive success. Making and implementing strategies is the critical role of organization leaders," and frankly, all business owners, small and large.

"Fast company magazine states: If you want to make a difference as a leader, you've got to make time for strategy.

The previous statement applies to all small, medium, and large business enterprises.

If you are a small business owner, your business cannot survive in a shifting economy without a strategy to maneuver through the change.

Help with setting a strategy for 2023 and beyond is available. Contact me at [email protected]. No purchase is necessary to email. 

Social Media links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jewellwilliamsfreightbroker/

https://www.facebook.com/FreightBMovin

https://www.instagram.com/jewell808/

https://twitter.com/Jewell313

In today's episode 34, I summarize the steps and websites taken to get my company certified for government contracting. 

Happy Black History Month

Dreams:

Martin Luther King is famous for his I Have a Dream Speech. His speech sparked a thought in people's minds that we can live on this planet in harmony and honor each other based on our character.

John Maxwell's quote on dreams says, "Dreams often come one size too big so that we can grow into them."

People's dreams center around personal growth, family stability, and financial success.

Building a viable business is the dream of many entrepreneurs.

Today I want to share the roadmap for positioning your business for government contracting by showing you my roadmap.

SAM.gov

WBEC https://www.wbenc.org/about-wbenc/

SBA Veteran Certification  https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/

Episode 33

This episode is about information regarding the Bidens pollution loophole discovered in his plan to reduce pollution from 18-wheelers. Also, will more air freight providers be purchasing the new Airbus A350F? AirFrance - KLM is making a big purchase the has great value for workers and the economy. In addition, the United States is building tanks for Ukraine. How will the manufacturing of weapons fuel the economy? Listen to the podcast to learn more about these stories.

The podcast today is being proactive vs. reactive in logistics.

J.C. Maxwell states: If you are proactive, you focus on preparing. If you are reactive, you end up focusing on repairing.

Today I am talking about how to be proactive in logistics to reduce dealing with repairing problems because of reactive behavior.

Firstly, some things, such as pandemics, cannot be forecasted and planned. However, the experience of Covid-19 should be factored into plans and considered part of the operations strategies.

So what are some things to think about when making a logistics strategy?

Pickup delays and delivery

Capacity

Weather conditions

Routing plans

Flexibility and Scalability

Pickup delays and delivery

What pickup and delivery schedule is the company operating from? How are carriers and freight brokers communicating transit times? What type of software is helping maintain visibility? Is your company outsourcing the traffic departments, and if so, can there be access to the system to get updates on the freight movement?

Pickup and delivery delays are directly connected to communication systems.

Capacity: How much freight is the company planning to move? What are the key routes to your customers? What mode of transportation is best suited for these routes?

Weather conditions: What type of weather is possible? Snow storms, hurricanes, Flooding. What options can be implemented when these weather conditions occur? What routes and modes of transportation are best? These questions are influenced by where the freight is moving to, such as international vs. national or local.

Routing Plans: What mode of transportation is cost-effective? Can rates be established to help control fluctuating costs? Making contingency plans and identifying alternative and safe routes is critical.

Flexibility and Scalability are vital elements impacting planning. What are the company's projections, and how will they merge with capacity planning, routing, weather, or seasons?

Episode 31 highlights the new FMCSA Proposed Rule that will impact Small Freight Brokers and Carriers. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposes implementing a new rule under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The impact on small freight brokers, carriers, and some shippers could cause financial hardship and even put companies out of business.

The proposal addresses five critical areas: Asset Readily Available, Immediate Suspension of Broker/Freight Forwarder Operating Authority, Surety or trust responsibilities in broker/freight forwarder financial failure or insolvency cases, and Enforcement Authority.

Here is the link for more details Federal Register link

Episode 30 highlights five trends to watch in 2023 within the logistics and transportation industry. 

Transcript:

Electric Semi Trucks

The semi-truck is officially here, and it is time to start thinking about how your company will adapt. The government is determined to spend the needed funds to see that carbon emissions are reduced. California to on board, and more states will follow as the charging station infrastructure gets implemented across the highways.

Although some charging station is having issues in the cold, these will be addressed. With any new technology, there are bugs to be fixed. Some never get fixed, and others become the industry standard.

Technology enabling visibility

The push for visibility is also top of mind with shippers. Freight theft is not slowing down. As interest rates continue to climb and the cost of money rises, the desire to steal also increases. The cost of goods rises daily, opening the door for higher theft. New technology inside the electric truck will be the answer.

Companies Reshoring from China

Companies returning from China and Europe will impact the transportation industry. As companies get closer to the consumer, prices may drop, yet other factors like fuel cost, rail transportation, and new vehicle purchases will influence the price of goods.

The Infrastructure Bill

Federal funding of the Infrastructure bill is going to help boost the economy. States are already spending money to upgrade highways and bridges. Thus, this will cause a trickle effect on the economic spending machine. I do not foresee state governments spending too fast because they know the money has to last. The cost of borrowing is too high, so it is better to hold onto the cash until these interest rates go down.

Ports Construction and Rail Freight Congestion

Ports like Savanah and Los Angles are building now, which will help the flow of goods out of the ports. However, when the reshoring of companies starts to taper off, it will be interesting to see what happens to all the extra space the seaports will have and what they plan to do with it. I predict that temporary warehousing facilities may be constructed. Although the fear of flooding when major hurricanes come through is a concern.

Episode 29 Transcript: Thank you for listening; Like, Subscribe and Share

I am a thinker and analyzer by habit. My mind reads something, and I want to know why this is happening. What are the solutions to solve the problems? How can I help others see the problem and consider actions to the solutions?

The economy's current situation has a lot of negative press. What got us here, and how can we get out?

Today I want to share insight from John Maxwell about having a growth plan.

If people become intentional about where they want to Grow within their life, with their company or business, then the nation will come out of the current economic pit.

Each of us has to take control of our strategy to develop ourselves.

Self-motivated leaders sharing motivation with others create a ripple effect, moving people to be a better version of themselves.

Nothing happens by just thinking about it. Relationships evolve because people are intentional with their actions to uplift each other.

Attitudes must align with behavior and actions. Placing growth as a priority in 2023 will yield significant changes.

Be generous with the wisdom and information you gain to help another person elevate. Synergy is how we humans gain understanding. Taking action is how people become the vision they see in the mind's eye.

Be the person to seek knowledge and solve problems. Connect to other people and build mutually giving relationships.

Equip your team with the tools to perform and remove the cap you place on them. No one can grow with a cap on their will to be a better version of themselves.

Listen with intention and be the leader who is gracious and humbled by those that believe in the company's mission, vision, and objectives. It takes a team to build a fortress.

I end this with a call to action. Share this message if you know someone who will find value and motivation to Grow into a better version of themselves in 2023.

Peace and love, have a happy holiday and a blessed new year.

Episode 28 highlights the importance of understanding cash flow and where is the money for the business coming from and going to. Without cash flow, logistics businesses like manufacturers and freight brokers will struggle to stay open. 

Here is a link referenced in the podcast for the Federal Register. 

Visit Freightbmovin.com to stay up to date on industry highlights. 

The CTA is going into effect on Jan 1st, 2024. What is this regulation about, and how will it impact your small and mid-size freight business? Click on the links to get more details about the rules and how the NSBA is helping. 

NSBA

CTA