Is It a Job or a Career?

Everybody needs money in order to eat and sleep and go to the movies.  So in order to earn the needed cash you can either go snag a job or step into a career building opportunity.  Becoming a freight broker or freight broker agent is a career move, not just a dead end job.  There is a job to be done as a freight broker, but each job a broker completes with excellence builds a career.  Each load a broker successfully manages puts another trust notch in their belt. 

This is not a get rich quick business.  It's a trust business.   Trust can only be built over time.  Yet trust can be broken in an instant.  To build trust you must act with integrity, tell the truth, do what you say you will do and own up to your mistakes. 

Only when shippers and carriers trust you will a new broker make it.  It's a long hornet but well worth it.     

A short  cut to finding success as a freight broker or freight broker agent is training. 
Valuable training is a short cut because you hit the ground running as a freight broker or freight broker agent.   The instructors at Brooke Training have all been in and around the transportation industry for decades.  There is no better way to get a leg up than spend time with those who have already found success in the industry.  It still takes time to build up the trust but with training you will be more equipped to start the process.

If you are interested in a career with amazing potential, give us a call.  I will answer your questions and together we can figure out if you are ready for this exciting, fast-paced career.  We have live and online classes ready to teach you how to build trust and thus build your customer base. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

214-206-1169

www.brooketraining.com

The Ins and Outs of Freight Broker Surety Bonds

As a freight broker, you have enough on your mind without worrying about the particulars of your licensing requirements. The $75,000 surety bond required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is just one aspect of the licensing process, but can raise many questions. This quick guide to freight broker bonds will help you navigate the bonding process and answer those questions. 

The Freight Broker Surety Bond

First, you should know the purpose of the surety bond. Bonds are a form of financial security that guarantee performance and compliance. If a broker violates the terms of their surety bond and a claim is filed and proven, the surety company pays the claim up to the bond’s full amount. The bondholder must reimburse the surety company for any claims paid.

You should be familiar with the terms of the bond you’re purchasing to ensure you are in compliance with it at all times. It’s easy to avoid claims if you know exactly what laws you need to follow as a freight broker.

Know Your Financial History

Brokers don’t pay the full $75,000 bond amount—bond premiums are determined via underwriting, which is a thorough examination of the applicant’s financial history. Applicants typically pay anywhere from 1-10% of the bond amount.

You should be aware of your financial history and your credit score—stronger financial credentials means a lower bond premium. However, many surety companies offer financing options for applicants with imperfect credit. Regardless of your credit, you should be ready to provide financial information to the surety company you contact.

Find a Surety Company

Your next step is to find a surety company to work with. Your best bet is to go through a national agency that works with several insurance companies—they can compare rates and make sure you get the lowest bond premium possible.

Purchase Your Bond

You’ve found a surety company that you trust and got a competitive premium quote—the only thing left to do is make a purchase! After purchasing the bond, you’ll continue with the broker registration process. Once you’ve registered, you’re in business!

Contact the FMCSA if you have questions about the registration process and to make sure your freight brokerage is in compliance with federal law. Contact a reputable surety bond agency to purchase your bond. 

(this is a guest post, thank you Melanie)

Melanie Baravik is part of the educational outreach team at SuretyBonds.com, helping educate consumers about the particulars of surety bonds. 

Any questions on bonds or on becoming the best freight broker ever, give me a call:  214-206-1169

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

Difficult People

We all have to deal with difficult people from time to time.  We may be the difficult person from time to time.  So before you start pointing fingers, take some time for self reflection.  Notice how people are reacting to you.  If they are taken aback by your comments, perhaps you are being difficult.  If people don't trust you, perhaps you are difficult.  Difficult people are untrustworthy.  You can't be sure that they will live up to their word.  Do you manipulate?  Difficult people may be manipulative.  When you are interacting with them do they question whether you are being straight forward or trying to pull a fast one. 

Difficult people may be difficult because of something outside of their control.  Perhaps they have a difficult boss, spouse or wayward child.  Perhaps they are battling a health issue.  They could be in chronic pain physically or mentally or both.  Perhaps they just found out someone they love is hurting in some way. 

Remember we all will be difficult to deal with at times.  Your job is to try to figure out if and when you are being difficult.  As you recognize what triggers you to be difficult, try to change those triggers.  If you can't change the triggers, figure out a better way to react to the triggers so they no longer have control of you.  Have empathy for others.  When you put yourself in their place perhaps you can overlook some of their difficult ways. 

Some people are difficult because they are in the wrong career.  If you'd like a change of careers come join us at our next freight broker training course either live or online.  You will learn how to be a freight broker and get some inspiration for life.

Any questions?  Call me 214-206-1169

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com

What is a Freight Broker?

A freight broker is the laison between one who has something that needs to be shipped and the carrier who will move the load.  The three parties: the freight broker, the shipper and the carrier will work closely to accomplish the task of getting a load from one location to another.  The freight broker builds a relationship with both shippers and carriers.  Many freight brokers specialize in specific types of loads that require specific modes of transportation.  For instance a freight broker who specializes in moving vehicles will also specialize in carriers with car transporters.  A freight broker who moves groceries will also get to know carriers who own refrigerated trucks (reefers).   A new freight broker will benefit immensely from freight broker training because transportation is a complicated business with regulations and unique technologies. 

I have been in the transportation career for close to 30 years and have spent most of that time as a freight broker.  The industry can be challenging and fast paced but very rewarding.  I enjoy negotiating the deals and following through on the cargo transportation.

I spend my days talking with aspiring freight brokers.  Some know a lot about the industry, others know nothing.  But everyone learns much in the process.  If you'd like to be in a career where the sky is the limit and be your own boss come join us in one of our freight broker training courses. 

Have any questions?  Give me a call.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com
214-206-1169

Sales Pitch

Why do they call it a sales pitch?  I'm not a fan of that term.  A sales pitch sounds like something is being thrown at me.  What do you do when something is thrown at you, especially when it is thrown at you fast?  You duck, of course.  If it is a slow pitch you might catch it, but a fast pitch unless you are in the big leagues, you dodge the ball coming at your head. 

So I like to think of my sales approach more like a climb up a tall mountain.  You climb a tall mountain one step at a time.  Slow and steady.  The more you learn about the mountain path just like the more you learn about your client's needs, the easier the climb.  You can anticipate the sharp curves and the holes in the trail if you have learned a bit about the trail.  As you know your client's needs you can address them with confidence.  You can learn about your client by reading their website, talking with others who know them and through interaction with the potential client. 

Freight brokers offer a great service to their clients.  Some clients recognize that value others have to be shown the value through education and great service.  I truly enjoy getting to know people.  I think that is one of the keys to my success as a freight broker and as a freight broker trainer.  People enjoy working with those who know them and respect them for who they are. 

I train my freight broker students to make lots of phone calls.  So when they need a break from the phone calls I recommend doing  a little internet research on a potential customer. 

I suggest potential students of mine read everything I have on my website, facebook and blog before they sign up for my course.  I want them to know me, know my values and read testimonials of what others have said about the course.  I want them to know that I want them to succeed.  I want them to learn what they need.  And I want them to have confidence in the process we teach at our freight broker training courses.

Have a successful Monday.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com