"I'll be honest, Sean. I don't think sales is for you." As I reflect on this piece of "advice" from a potential employer about 27 years ago, I think about how misunderstanding what "sales" truly means can hold us back from achieving our highest potential in any business, including expedited trucking. Here's my story and how I believe the lessons learned can also help you be more successful in your career in expediting. What Sales is NOTIn 1995, I was a seminary student lookin...

When it comes to your success in expedited trucking, ignorance is NOT bliss. That's why it's essential to build a team of mentors who are accomplishing what you want to achieve. They're ahead of you on the journey. So, they're especially qualified to share advice to guide you along the way. They encourage you to persist when you feel discouraged and ready to quit prematurely. And they can help you avoid catastrophic mistakes that put you out of business before you really get...

What's the state of the expedited trucking industry? What are the important trends to watch over the next 18 months that could impact your business? Industry experts addressed these questions and more for a packed house of owner-operators, drivers, and fleet owners on the final day of Expedite Expo 2021 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The 10 am special event on Day Two on "The State of Expedited Trucking" was moderated by yours truly and featu...

The Afghanistan withdrawal. Vaccine mandates. Automotive plant shutdowns. You listen or watch the news and realize that so much is in flux. And that's when uncertainty, fear, and anxiety often begin to deplete our energy and cloud our judgment. It's easy to become so distracted by everything going on around you that you lose focus on what you need to be doing TODAY to not only survive but thrive in this environment. But, as an expediter, how do you keep your head when everyon...

If you missed Expedite Expo 2021 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, you missed some valuable educational opportunities. But have no fear. We have you covered at ExpeditersOnline.com. Here are five key takeaways from some of those workshops to help you grow in your career and business in expediting. What makes expediting different from over-the-road trucking?Frank Rebelo, partner, Hyfield Trucking "Expediting is not straight trucking where you're a W-2 employee and can't refuse loads, and...

If you were to boil down what it takes to succeed in the expedited trucking business into a few points, what would those "keys to success" be? Jerry Hayes, an industry veteran and the publisher of National Truckin' Magazine, shared his advice in his general session titled "Practical Solutions to Improve Your Business" at Expedite Expo 2021 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in July. He highlighted these five keys to success. 1. Set goals that pus...

As the U.S. economy transitions to a post-pandemic footing, what does this mean for expedited trucking? What does the prospect of the PRO (Protecting the Right to Organize) Act mean for the industry? What is the current state of the expedite market? And what can we expect in the coming months and years? I recently spoke with John Elliott, chief executive officer for Load One LLC, to get his outlook. EO: How would you describe the current expedited freight market? John Elliott...

In a recent EO piece, "The State of Fuel Prices: What Expediters Should Know," I wrote about some of the key trends that are driving up fuel prices. And, in that article, I mentioned how, for expediters, "higher prices at the pump mean lower profit in your pocket." But then I received an email from long-time expedite owner-operator, Linda Caffee, who kindly corrected me. She said that higher fuel prices actually "make us more money." So, I called her to dig deeper into what s...

EXPO IS THIS WEEK! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Register Now - It's Free! The Expedite Expo '21 is shaping up to be the first in-person trucking event since the COVID lockdowns began last March. The show's presenting sponsor will be Expediter Services. Hundreds of drivers, owner-operators, and fleet owners from across North America will descend upon Fort Wayne, Ind., to meet new people, learn from successful expedite professionals, and open doors to new business opportunities. So w...

You're looking to become an expedite owner-operator to be your own boss, set your own schedule and gain control over your financial future. But the reality is that ownership is not for everyone. As an owner, you're taking on more responsibility - and risk. And if you're not prepared, you could be setting yourself up for failure before you even get started. So, what can you do to prepare for ownership and put yourself in the best position to succeed? Use this Pre Owner-Operato...