There are times here at FreightPros where we enjoy having some Zen around the office. Well, at the very least, I like to get my Zen on. In these moments of self-reflection, I find myself dwelling on the question of stress and anger in this industry. How can so many people in freight be salty and jaded? Just like the ocean, the answers come in waves.
Overall, in our industry the shipping demand is greater than the supply of carriers and drivers. Folks have also developed a, “get it done yesterday,” mentality when it comes to their shipping. They are busier than ever, impatient as ever, and more importantly – stressed more than ever.
In this post I will shed some light on what I call, “Freight Minimalism.” This doesn’t mean ship only one or two pallets. Rather, it’s a concept based on cutting the stuff you don’t need out of your life and business, with the goal to make life easier and less stressful.
Residential Freight Services: How To Ship
Release Control
There is a belief we have in business (and in life) that we should have complete control of that which directly or indirectly affects us. Unfortunately, most of the time we know this to be false. There is only so much we can control in the moment, and often times best laid plans become rubble. We can’t control the weather anymore than we can control the sometimes frustrating Austin traffic.
It’s important to cultivate a philosophy of release when it comes to shipping, LTL or otherwise. Shipments will get delayed, no matter what carrier or broker you use. The key is to find the one that handles the problem sufficiently, and who do their best to avoid similar issues in the future.
Remember, it’s okay to hand off tasks to other people. Give them a chance to shine, and you might be surprised what you find. This allows for better processes, input, and in my opinion, better business for all.
Trust Your Broker
This might be the most important thing I can push in this post; make sure you like, trust, and listen to your freight broker or representative. They are the pros. They move hundreds of shipments daily, all across the country, with a lot of different carriers.
Just because the carrier is the cheapest doesn’t mean it’s the best option. LTL pricing is complicated and different carriers specialize in different areas. This is a good reason why you should be asking for the carrier who has the best value, not just the best price.
Asking for the best value gets you the best bang for your buck. Some carriers are worth the extra amount, some are not. This is where your broker should excel.
Our consumer skills have come a long way since the internet, but I firmly believe that if we start focusing on value instead of price, business and life will become easier. Focusing on value allows for optimal spending of those hard earned dollars.
Post Office Shipping vs LTL
Just Breathe
Close your eyes, relax the shoulders and neck. You are okay. Your freight is okay. The pallets are on the truck. The product is on route to the customer. If you have a great freight broker, they’re going to take the movement of your freight seriously.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. The point of a good freight broker is to take your mind off the matter of shipping, so you can focus your attention on the other aspects of your business, the aspects where YOU’RE the pro.
So remember, just breathe. And always sign the delivery receipt.