Sage Advice
The issues facing shippers and their internal and external business partners are real to at least one of the parties involved. They are often impacted by the regulatory process, politics, and most likely by the "It's all about Me" factors.
Pragmatists and Sophists are invited to join us as we highlight and try to unravel the issues which challenge the efficiency of America's logistical programs.
New Stimulus Plan - Snow Swept Trailers
In this week’s TT, an article about East/NE states wanting to fine drivers for not sweeping the snow off their tractors/trailers. While snow and/or any flying debris is a problem, this issue could create problems for shippers and receivers who do not have covered loading and unloading areas. If a law is passed that would fine a driver for moving a snow covered trailer… wo ...... Read More
Comments (6)Ditch Switching Short Sighted Shippers
How much should we invest to protect our assets? What are the odds an airline would ever need one of those ‘ditch switch’ thingies. And besides, if the plane hits the ground/water it’s likely just to break apart so why would anyone waste their precious captial dollars a some “Ditch Switch”? Well, for U.S. Airways, it looks like the ‘Ditch Switch’ wa ...... Read More
Comments (1)Shippers Under Attack - Justly or UnJust #1
From November’s issue of OOIDA’s Landmine magazine an article on page 27 from their Government Affairs Committee on their key strategies for 2009…. The OOIDA plan will target operational efficency, pushing for greener docks by streamlining logistics/shipping practices and extending shipper’s hours to ’get trucks in and get trucks out’. ...... Read More
Comments (3)Time to Hug your Best Carriers
The odds, that your Percent of Logistics to Sales will soon be on the rise because of an Administration change, are more than likely….they’re for sure! The Employee Free Choice Act endorsed by Presidential Elect Obama will likely be enacted by congress early in his administration; and regardless of who becomes the Secretary of Transportation it is clear to me that all aspects of tru ...... Read More
Comments (3)Close to being DQ'd for Poor Process?
The failure of the U.S. 4×100 Track Relay teams this week at the Olympics is a great example of how superior athletes can fail to deliver world class results because: they lacked leadership; were taught/self taught poor or different forms(processes); and didn’t practice enough - tried it a few times and thought they had it down. Well they had it down alright…and the women ...... Read More
Comments (2)Looking for Productivity- Measure Perfect Shipment Performance
Shippers/3PLs need to begin measuring themselves against the "Perfect Shipment" if they want to identify opportunities for improving their productivity. While there are a lot of elements that could be measured, most shippers don’t track and record ‘all’ of the process tasks…nevertheless a good start would be to measure the compound percentage of the fo ...... Read More
Comments (2)Good Judgement Needed
Shipper and Brokers need to be alert to the real challenges facing the motor carriers around the issue of fuel and health care insurance both of which are placing many carriers in the red; and political leaders should not be interfering in the free enterprise system by proposing legislation that would mandate that brokers pass on the actual fuel surcharge paid by shippers to the Brokers. Shi ...... Read More
Comments (2)Easter Bunny endorses model Contracts to Improve Hopping Around!!!
In a special news conference yesterday, the Easter Bunny, recognizing the need to hop around faster and more efficiently, formally endorsed the use of model contracts and the discipline to consistently execute them. With new carriers presenting opportunities daily and shippers and 3PLs constantly on the lookout for chances to meet their 2008 productivity goals, ’Bunny’ mad ...... Read More
Comments (2)Load Securement – Help or at Least do no Harm!
Do you remember when either your teacher or parents told you to ‘just sit there and be quiet’? And sometimes we really had something important to say, but were told to be silent? Do you think it is the fault of our coaches, teachers, drill sergeants, and or parents when we see something we know is wrong and under the right circumstances could be harmful, that we remain si ...... Read More
Comments (3)Tips to become a Logistics professional
One of our website readers wrote in with an interesting question regarding developing a career in logistics. Firas writes: “I am a young IT Supervisor in a small financial services company and am interested in moving to the Logistics sector. I would appreciate your advice on how to plan for a career path as an IT Executive in Logistics in regards to what knowledge is crucial to gain for thi ...... Read More
Comments (14)Packaging having a negative impact on your transportation costs?
In our haste to hit our annual productivity goals we inevitably take the fastest and least resistant approach….Mr. Carrier - Cut that rate! While I subscribe to competitive rates that pay a carrier a fair rate of return, often the bigger savings can be found in how your product is being packaged for transport and subsequently stored by DCs and customers. In a presentatio ...... Read More
Comments (4)Vehicle Size and Weight – The Voice of Change belongs to you
The National Academies of Science, Transportation Research Board meets next week to discuss issues facing all modes of Transportation within the U.S. The Committee on Size and Weight will be discussing what other countries are doing and what the impact would be on our Roads and Bridges. Some theorists say that Intermodal shipments are the answer and keeping heavier ‘permitted&# ...... Read More
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