'Best Experience of My Life'

We are so honored to have trained an incredible group of students this December in our Dallas, Texas class. Our instructors, Drake and Tish, and our guest speaker, Thomas, all did a phenomenal job preparing these individuals to start their careers as freight brokers. Here's what they said about their experience:

“Before I came to Brooke Transportation, I knew nothing about the transportation industry. I came in that Monday and worried I would not understand much. It seemed to have came very easily. Mr. Sliver is an awesome instructor, and the class was very polite. Jeff and Janis are truly a blessing and I thank them.” - Nana Edwards

“I am currently a personal banker. The freight transportation (industry) always attracted my attention and even more after talking to many of my truck driver customers and driving friends. I finally made the decision of attending a freight transportation training school. I am so happy to have attended Brooke Transportation’s course. It was a pleasure meeting Jeff Roach (president) along with his wonderful staff and trainers. They really made me feel like family. My vacation time here in Texas was well worth while. Thank you so much.” - Rosa D. Chavez

“I have been debating on taking the class for years. I spoke with several agencies. Even paid a hold fee to secure my place in the class but was still undecided on taking the course. After speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Roach for the 3rd time, I felt like this was the best way to go…Hands on training with Brooke Transportation was the best experience of my life. The knowledge I received was awesome. I met great people that were willing to hold my hand and walk me through this training process. My experience with Brooke Training was a lifetime experience that I really enjoyed.” - W. Smith

“Thank you to Brooke Training School for such a wonderful class with guest instructors. Although I have been in the industry for a long time, I learned so much and now I am ready to take on being an agent for my company. I am looking forward to building my book of business.” - Judi Mullins 

“We had an amazing experience with Brooke Transportation Training Solutions. The instructors we had - Mr. Jeff, Mr. Drake and Tish - are outstanding professionals with very good training skills. The have years of experience on the field and you can see how much they love their job by the passion they put in each knowledgeable word they said to us. The course, among with the didactic materials we got - are very informative - there is nothing they did not get covered. They are also great motivators. We left Texas having a great challenge in front of us and an inspiring feeling of making ourselves work hard and accomplish it. Thank you.” - Ana & Ion

Considering starting a career as a freight broker or freight broker agent? Join us at one of our upcoming live classes or take our course online anytime.  Have any questions about what it is really like to be a freight broker or freight broker agent? Give me a call today (214) 206-1169

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach, President

www.brooketraining.com 

Be of Good Cheer

There are just a few days left until Christmas, then we will be gearing up for the New Year.  As New Year approaches I like to take time to reflect on the blessings of the year and the hopes for the New Year.  I am thankful for my freight broker training school and all the amazing people who take our courses.  I have the privilege of meeting and encouraging so many industrious professionals as they learn the new skills needed to succeed in the freight broker world. 

From what I've seen and read this new year will be a great year for the transportation industry.  New technologies and new trade agreements are fueling the uptick in transportation stocks.  It should be a very exciting year for freight brokers and freight broker agents as they negotiate new deals with new customers.

We are ready to train up lots of new freight brokers in 2017.  Our instructors are skilled and entertaining.  They understand the industry inside and out. If you want to learn how to be a successful freight broker join us for one of our upcoming courses, live or online.

Brooke Transportation Training Solutions has been training freight brokers for a few decades now.  You can count on us to have the experience to train thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com

A Truck Driver's Story

Recently Robert, a laid off truck driver, gave me a call. His wife had found my blog on an internet search as she was helping her man in his search for a new career.  She gave Robert the number. Robert called me to ask me a lot of questions about our freight brokers classes. We had a great talk.  Here is his story:

“I’ve been a truck driver for 19 years.  For the past 6 years I have been a contract driver for the post office driving a route between distribution centers in Virginia.  The post office stopped my route in March.  This is the first time in my life I have been laid off.  The first time I have applied for unemployment. I could get another truck driving job but I would most likely have had to move.  With my post office route my wife and I were able to move out to some acreage and buy some ponies.  As a freight broker I will be able to work out of my ranch, take care of my ponies and be with my family.

I found the freight broker online training course through my local community college’s partnership with the online education company that administers the course written by Brooke Training.  I researched it online.  It was perfect.  I could do all my work from home.  I have 6 months to complete the course but my plan is to finish in 2 months, get started and still have 4 months I can go back and review some of the things in the course. 

And I won’t even have to pay for the course.  My unemployment contact gave me the information needed to apply for a Federal program in the WIA or Worker Investment Act.  I called my governor’s office to find out who heads up this program in Virginia.

I found I was eligible to apply for a grant, if approved I won’t have to pay anything back.  

Ideally I want to be an independent freight broker but realistically I know I’ll need to start as an agent for an established freight broker.  They’ll help me with cash flow, legalities and other expenses.  It is a low cost business to start. 

It is a little scary, but I’m looking forward to my new career“

Robert is taking advantage of a great opportunity.  It is an absolutely great time to become a freight broker.  Economic indicators show an upturn in the transportation industry.  Give me a call with any questions  214-206-1169.  Join us for an upcoming live class or like Robert learn online. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

When Loads Get Lost

Everyone in the transportation industry knows that on any given day hundreds if not thousands of freight loads get sidetracked.  The reasons a load is waylaid are endless, since there are so many aspects and people involved in the moving of a load. The carrier might not show up for a pick up, or a carrier could get sidetracked in Vegas while he has my load.    Loads can be stolen while a carrier takes a quick break at a coffee shop.  Carriers however are not always the problem.   Snowstorms, bad weather, trucks breaking down, DOT and even the shippers changing plans or load details at the last minute can turn a load into a nightmare.  

The key to controlling a situation like this, is communication.  Shippers are not new to these types of situations and can be very forgiving to a Freight Broker providing they are kept in the loop.  It is essential for the broker to contact the shipper as soon as he finds out about an issue with the shipper’s load. The worst thing that can happen is that the shipper finds out about a problem from someone other than their broker.  

Make sure the shipper has a clear understanding of the situation and tell them what you are doing about it. Keep in touch with them periodically even if you have no new news just to let them know that you are still on it.  

Regarding the carrier, make sure you have the dispatcher’s phone number, the driver’s phone number and an "after hours" number or someway to effectively find the carrier.  It is imperative that you can reach the driver and dispatcher during a crisis.  Make sure to talk with both the dispatcher and driver to get all the details of the situation.  Sometimes you don't get the whole story by just talking to one.  Stay on top of the carrier to make sure that they are doing all they can to handle the situation. 

When your shipper trusts you, they will understand so long as you keep them informed.  The trust between you will be strengthened if you handle a bad situation well and with transparency.  

Communication is not just important, it is key.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

 

Intraverts

As discussed in a previous blog post, the four main personalities are power, popular, peace and perfect.  The introverts of the personalities are the peace and perfect.   They process inwardly; they don't always let you know what they are thinking.  They may be quiet for a long time about an issue before they speak out.  They are very different in their approach to life as compared to the power and popular outgoing types.

The peace personality is the best friend of all the personalities.  They are motivated by peace and control with their procrastination.  They are adaptable.  They don't like to make waves so they will avoid personal conflicts.  Yet they are good at helping others work through their differences because they just want the conflict solved so everyone can relax.  They are easy going, sometimes thought to be lazy.  They aren't demanding. They aren't super motivated.  They are great at finding short cuts.  They are excellent listeners and empathizers.  The peace personality can be pushed to a point.  They do have a steel rod that after they've been pushed and pushed they won't take it anymore.  

The perfect personality is your consumer reports personality.  They are great, in-depth researchers.  They are excellent decision makers; it just takes them along time to make a decision because they will need to research it thoroughly.  They can get bogged down in the paralysis of analysis.  They are motivated by order and they control with their rightness.  If you disagree with their conclusion they will tell you why you are wrong because they have done the research.  The perfect personality leans towards depression perhaps more than any other personality because they have such high standards.  They can’t reach their standards and other people could care less about their standards.  They are idealistic.

To work with a peace or perfect personality you need to have patience.  They need time to get motivated or do the research before making a decision.  Take a more laid back approach in doing business with the peace person.  Give the perfect plenty of data to research.

The best way to make customers for life is to get to know them.  Work within their style as much as possible so they are comfortable doing business with you.  It can be challenging but the more you understand the better you will be received.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

Get Ready to Earn

I am very excited about the near term future of our industry.  There is a buzz throughout transportation professionals that all will be getting better and better this next year.  Trucking and brokerage companies are going to do exceptionally well in the next few years.

Transportation companies are reaching an all time high in the stock market signaling happy days ahead. 

As this year ends and you reflect on the new year ahead, think about how you will make your next year better than this year.

What do you want to accomplish?

What do you want to learn?

What do you want to earn?

Recent news reported Carrier Air Conditioners are keeping their production in America.  Toyota also announced they will be building cars here.  This news brings new jobs and new products that will be transported to market.  That means it will be a great time to be a prepared freight broker.

Come join us in one of our upcoming classes and learn to be a freight broker where the sky is the limit.  Not sure?  Give me a call, I can answer any questions you have.  Having been in this industry for several decades I have a good sense of who will find success as a freight broker so let's talk.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com

Extraverts

There are four main personality styles:  Power, Popular, Peaceful and Perfect.  Of the four personalities types, half are extroverts.  The two personalities that process out loud and can sometimes be rather loud are the "Popular" and the Power".  I am a blend of those two personalities.  I can be like a bull in a china shop. 

The "popular" is motivated by fun and controls with their charm.  They are very charming and will talk others into doing what they want so they don't miss out on all the fun...and who would want to miss the fun?  They are the life of the party, love to have a laugh and will stick with a project so long as it is fun.  When the fun wears of,f the popular personality is ready to quit.  They are very talkative, charming and likable.  But they can wear you out with their words and get bored with details.  The popular person needs affirmation that they are doing well.  They make great salespeople because every body loves a comedian but they are challenged with getting all the blanks in the sales contract filled in.

The "power" personality is large and in charge.  They walk in room take control and keep control.  They are born leaders.  They don't even ask for the position, they just have a commanding presence that everyone understands.  The power person is motivated by control and they controls with intimidation or a threat of anger.  They might not ever get angry, you just feel like if you don't go along with what they want, they won't be happy with you.  They are happy to take agreeable people with them in their pursuits but if people get in their way they don't mind running over the people.  Pleasing people is not their motivation, keeping the control is what they need.   The power personality is very forward charging.  They power through to the end, staying ahead of the crowd.  Two power people can but heads often trying to gain control. 

The popular needs some fun in their day and will turn mundane tasks into a game.  If you have a fun motivated client don't make your conversations all serious but add a joke in now and then.  Be interested in them.

The power needs control in order to feel they are at peace.  They are very confidant so undermining their authority is dangerous.  When working with a power motivated person let them drive the conversation as much as possible.  Give them control and watch them go.  Ask how they think this business deal should play out. 

By understanding personalities we gain a greater insight into what motivates our clients.  We can better address their needs based on how they function.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com

Big On Personality

We are each born with a God given personality.  All personalities have good qualities as well as challenging attributes.  Often we wish we were born with a little less of what we have and a little more or what someone has.  But letting those comparisons roll around in your head too much and you live your life wishing you were someone else.  That is just not productive.  Appreciate and understand who you are, how you were made and what motivates you best.  Recognize those things in your spouse and children if you have them and you will better able to understand and communicate with them.

In the next few blogs I will discuss the four main personality styles, their blends and what motivates each type.  I will also discuss how each controls a situation.

The best team is a blend of all personalities.  Each personality views situations with different lenses.  So when your team has all the personalities you will get a broader perspective and make decisions based on a greater variety of input.

The four main personalities are named differently in various assessments but I like to use "P" words because those are just easier for me to understand.

The four personalities are Popular, Power, Perfect and Peace. 

Your clients will of course fit into these personality categories.  By understanding the personality you will be able to communicate more effectively to them. 

I do not like stereotyping.  That is not what I intend to do in describing personality styles.  The characteristics are generalities.  We are all unique but most of us  roughly function within a blend of two main personality styles.

I will discuss these blends in next weeks blogs.

Enjoy your weekend.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com