Remember a Veteran

 The United States federal holiday of Memorial Day was first celebrated May 30th 1868.  It was called Decoration Day because that day was set aside to go to the graveyards and decorate graves of brave ones with flowers. U.S. men and women who died while in the military service deserve such remembrance. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to memorialize all American lives lost in war. (edited from Wikopedia

Take time this memorial day to remember someone who died while serving our great nation.  Thank a veteran of any war.  And reflect on your own heart.  Life is precious.  What cause is great enough to sacrifice a life?  Is there any cause or any person for which you sacrifice your life?  Have I taught my children: greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his brother? 

As I was thinking towards the Memorial Day holiday I thought about different people in my life who have died and what their life displayed to the world.  My sister in law recently died.  Her life displayed love especially to her children, good work ethic and forever loyalty to her Baylor Bears.  My uncle in law recently died as well.  He enjoyed life, a good golf game and singing in the church choir to the glory of God.

I want my life to count for something.  I don’t want to waste a day in selfishness, although I know I do.  When a soldier signs up he knows that his life may end.  All our lives will end.  We know that but we don’t always live like every day is precious.  So this Memorial Day remember to live a purposeful life everyday. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com

In trucking, a little automation saves a lot of money

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I found this article by by David Z. Morris from Forbes online to be quite interesting.May 19, 2015

Fully automated trucks are at least a decade away, but partial automation systems have major benefits.

The dream of a fully-automated semi truck is getting closer to reality every day—earlier this month, for instance, Daimler announced that it would begin testing an automated truck on public highways in Nevada. Thousands of hours of testing and significant regulatory hurdles put practical automation at least a decade away, but benefits are coming sooner from partial automation systems that enhance the performance of human drivers and increase efficiency.

According to trucking analyst Andy Ahern, 60% of wasted truck fuel is caused by driver overacceleration—for instance, hitting the gas on the way down a hill, only to have to brake to slow down at the bottom.

Continental AG’s eHorizon system, housed in a small unit that connects to trucks’ existing controls, works to prevent that waste. It uses a topographical database to plan acceleration and braking to take advantage of momentum on hills. The system can plan acceleration decisions before a human driver can even see the hill around the next bend.

Robert Gee, Continental’s head of product management, says that eHorizon reduces overall fuel consumption by around 3%. That might not add up to much for a small car, but it can save around $2,000 worth of fuel for a single freight truck per year.

The technology is already deployed in trucks manufactured by Sweden’s Scania AB, and Continental claims those trucks have saved 16 million gallons of diesel fuel since 2012—that’s $62 million in savings. The American Trucking Association counts 2.4 million semi trucks on the road in the U.S., so nationwide use of such systems could save as much as 1.6 billion gallons of fuel and $4.8 billion annually. The U.S. Energy Information Administration states that burning a gallon of diesel fuel generates 22.38 pounds of atmospheric carbon, so using such systems has the potential to cut truck emissions by more than 35 billion pounds per year.

Another possibility for automated efficiency is truck platooning. Truck drivers have known for decades about the fuel-efficiency benefits of drafting—closely following a leading truck to reduce wind resistance. But drafting is incredibly dangerous. A human driver’s baseline reaction time is about half a second, not nearly enough to respond to a braking truck just a few feet ahead.

Menlo Park-based Peloton Technology is developing a system that would make drafting safer by linking adjacent trucks into ‘platoons’ of two or more following a lead truck. A wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications link and automated braking would allow trucks to respond nearly instantly to changes in speed. In tests conducted with a fairly generous 36-foot follow distance, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency found that trailing trucks burned 10% less fuel.

With persistent safety concerns, a worsening driver shortage, and fuel costs that are once again rising, there’s plenty motivating the trucking industry to incorporate more partial automated systems into its trucks.

As a broker, It is critical to stay informed on the trucking industry so I can adjust how I do business.  I value the relationship I have with my clients, when I learn something that may effect our industry I pass it along.  

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com

How to Become a Freight Broker

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Alison Green at ehow wrote this excellent article on how to become a freight broker.

Get the Education

• Competent freight brokers are proficient in computing freight rates, negotiating contracts, finding reliable freight providers, tracking cargo and using broker software. To gain this knowledge, pursue a freight broker certificate program. In addition, you can earn an associate degree in business to enhance your knowledge of sales and marketing techniques, and gain an edge over other job candidates. It is also possible to start as a freight agent, who works under a licensed freight broker to gain the experience and know-how required to become a broker.

Master the Skills

• To excel in this profession, you must be an accomplished negotiator with strong customer-service skills. The job involves finding carriers for shippers who are often unwilling to meet market freight rates. You must be skilled at negotiating with potential carries to lower their freight charges, while encouraging shippers to up their offer. This calls for strong math skills to make accurate calculations of freight charges, service commissions and other costs. Multitasking and coordinating skills are essential, too. During busy periods, for example, you must be able to attend to the needs of several shippers.

Meet Registration Requirements

• You must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Career Safety Administration. To earn the Broker Authority license, you must pay a licensing fee and be a holder of a surety bond. As of 2014, the FMCSA required brokers of freight to have surety bonds worth $75,000. The Transporters Intermediaries Association awards the Certified Freight Broker designation to brokers who pass a certification exam. Although this certification is voluntary, earning it can improve your prospects for employment.

Get a Job

• As a qualified and licensed freight broker, you can start out by working for established freight brokerages. After gaining vast work experience, building professional relationships with several carriers and raising sufficient capital, you can establish your own brokerage. To run a successful business, focus on hiring agents who can help you gain clients in various regions. Strong skills in personnel management, and service pricing and marketing are must-haves, too. In accordance with FMCSA requirements, you must list a process agent in each state your business operates

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2120926_become-freight-broker.html

Freight brokering is a fast paced, exciting career.  I've been in this industry for 3 decades and have enjoyed the challenge, the relationships and the income it has afforded me.  If have an interest in learning more give me a call.  No pressure I will just talk to you about my experience and what my freight broker school has to offer.  We believe in training brokers to success with integrity.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com 

From Soldier to Civilian

The process of transitioning back into mainstream America after being in the military can be quite challenging on many levels.  The job skills learned in the military are useful in a civilian job but unfortunately not all human resources professionals can visualize how that works.  The job market is different than the career learned in battle.  Thankfully there is government funding for training for a new career after military life. 

At Brooke Training we appreciate our service men and women for their protection of our country.  As a VA approved training program we have had the privilege of helping many disabled vets train for a career in transportation as a freight broker at no cost to them.   

According to an article by Sergeant Major John L. Horton, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) on Military.com it takes an average of 3 to 9 months or 1 month for every $10,000 in salary sought.  He suggests working at least 30 to 40 hours a week on your career search, including preparing for your new career.  

One of the recurring words that many of our Freight Broker Training graduates say is how the training prepared them for much more than just being a freight broker.  

We welcome anyone interested in learning how to join the transportation industry to our course.  But even if after taking our course you decide to take your career a different direction, you will have gained valuable information useful in any profession. The skills you will learn will energize you towards a new career.

Like to join a course or have questions?  Browse our site and/or give me a call 214-206-1169.  I have decades of experience in the transportation industry and would enjoy talking with you.

Moving forward,  

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com

      

Motivated Freight Brokers

We enjoyed another week of training some motivated freight brokers.  Thank you to our faithful instructor Vinny and my entire team.  I can tell you all day how good I think the class will be for you but my words are not nearly as powerful as those who have taken the course.  So take a few minutes to read what our most recent Dallas live course graduates say about their experience.  If you’d like to be challenged, develop confidence and be encouraged while learning a new skill give us a call. 214-206-1169.  

Here are our graduates testimonies:

Before starting the broker training, I didn’t know what to expect.  I wanted to learn the brokerage business and the ins and outs, and not know if this training would be enough to start my business and be successful.  After the first two days of the session I developed a lot more confidence in myself and ability to be successful in this profession.  In addition, the instructor was able to answer all of my questions pertaining to personal development and business success.

Knowing that my success is based on the work I put into it and knowledge gained through Brooke Training I am ready to start, or rather continue my journey.   --Sequoiah  Brown


I’ve learned a great business model to follow in my efforts to build my business.  Vinny’s personal development “focus” was a plus in this class.  I would recommend BTTS for anyone interested in the 3rd party logistics before making the career change.  Thanks for everything.

 I want to personally thank Jeff Roach for sharing his life experiences with our class.  --Marc Stephens

 
If one word could describe my time spent here with Brooke’s team it would be encourage!  Relationship building takes great encouragement; I found a new me and I have learned how to share this with the world.  I owe this to my great instructor Vinny.  I now can adjust and be more active in building relationships with value.

 I uncovered that being emotional with care, I am able to use logic to gain better results and productivity as a broker, business owner, and individual.  Thanks Vinny for the life teaching that will remain with me if I put the work in and build relationships with people of integrity, I will become a 24 hour champion! --Troy Dean Booth


 When I started this class I expected to learn the basics of truck brokerage.  I got so much more.  I had no idea what I was in for.  Vinny taught me so much about myself I had no idea I needed to know myself before learning the trucking industry.

The positive experience I got from the Brooke Team was honesty about what to expect in the business, learning about what to get from myself to achieve my goals in my life.  Knowing Vinny is a life changing experience.  I feel so fortunate to have been blessed by the teachings of Vinny and Brooke.  Well worth the money.  Thank you so much. --Laura Roland


I researched a few schools and the first time I called it was like I was being sold to a college.  They wanted my credit card number and told me my class would be on line.  When I called BTTS, I spoke with Jeff Roach.  When I told him who I was, and what I wanted, he said “read all about us, then if you like it, come to my live class.  I liked what I read about the training and I enjoyed our conversation. I came here to learn brokerage, but today I am leaving a better man, father, and customer service provider.  With the tools you learn from Vinny, I know I am prepared for a successful life and new career.  Thank you Vinny, Jeff, Jan, and the Guest.  --Sir Thomas Gaither

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com