Sun Tzu and the Art of Expediting What can expediters learn about the art of persuasion from Sun Tzu's "Art of War," the classic ancient Chinese text on military strategy? A lot. That's because there is a key parallel between warfare and persuasion: Each is about deploying strategies and tactics that defeat the advancement or resistance of an enemy. It's just that the nature of the "enemy" is different. Here's what I mean. In warfare, an enemy is a person or group of people-s...

What do you want to accomplish in 2021? Perhaps you're a driver and want to take the next step to buy a truck. Or, you're an owner-operator looking to purchase a second truck to become a fleet owner. Or, you're a fleet owner with, say, five trucks and want to double your fleet to 10. Whatever your big 2021 goals might be, your answer to this question will determine your odds of success: Am I willing to pay the price to achieve this goal? After all, it's easy to dream big; but...

If you have an expedite driver or owner-operator on your holiday shopping list, what's something that you can give that they would love (and actually use)? At ExpeditersOnline.com, we've done some research for you. And we've found seven gift ideas that your loved ones or friends in the expedited trucking industry will appreciate. Masks for TruckersPrice: VariableDetails: https://www.etsy.com/market/truck_driver_mask If you've got to wear masks in this COVID-19 world, might as...

Bestselling author John C. Maxwell put it best when he said, "Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you." In this spirit, perhaps you could also say: If you're a driver in expedited trucking, every load choice you make makes your career. But what can you do to more consistently choose the right loads that put your business on the road to long-term financial success? I recently spoke with Frank Rebelo, an owner-operator with his wife Stephanie, and a par...

As the political season ramps up, chances are your Facebook feed has become more of a source of stress and anxiety than it is a useful resource to help you learn, grow, and build your business. If that's the case for you, consider spending more time on LinkedIn. While there are occasional political posts, the vast majority of LinkedIn content is centered around business and career topics and conversations. Here are a couple of ways you can use the platform to grow your knowl...

As an expediter, you can't always control how long you'll sit between loads. But one thing you can control is what you do with that time you're having to sit. So, how can you get the most out of your downtime to increase your value-and your income? Try building your "skill stack." What's a Skill Stack?Scott Adams, the Dilbert cartoonist, coined the term "skill stack" in his bestselling book, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life." H...

In September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his state would ban the sale of new light-duty gasoline and diesel vehicles, effective in 2035. And by 2045, new medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold in California must also be zero-emissions. So, what does this news mean for expedited trucking? First, by 2035, you would not be able to purchase a new Sprinter-style high-roof cargo van with an internal combustion engine in California. New vans will be all-electric-with ba...

President John F. Kennedy put it best when he said, "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." And that's exactly what I want to do today - to thank all of you in the expedited trucking community for the impact you've made on my life and career since 2014 when I first got to know you as a writer for EO. After all, we recently celebrated "Driver Appreciation Week," which is a great way to spotlight how vital truckers are to making our ...

When John Elliot, chief executive officer for expedite carrier Load One LLC, and I had a conversation about the state of the expedited trucking market back in early March, so much was in flux. The COVID-19 pandemic led the U.S. to shut off travel from China and Europe. Several states were beginning to issue stay-at-home orders, except for essential workers. And automotive plants were about to close. Today, nearly five months later, the economy has been reopening in phases, bu...

You're a fleet owner about to hire a new team. Can you trust them to take good care of your equipment-and your customers? You're a driver looking to work for a fleet owner. Can you trust that this owner will have your back, pay you the right amount at the right time, and not blindside you with unexpected expenses? You're an owner-operator about to sign with a new carrier. Can you trust that the recruiter has your best interests in mind? Whatever role you serve in the expedite...