Kinds of Trucks

As a freight broker I have learned the various types of trucks used to move various types of products.  Trucks carry 94% of all furniture, fixtures and appliances for the American home.  Look around your house, most of the stuff in there was moved by a truck or several trucks before it reached your home. 

Here are some of the kinds of trucks used to move cargo:

Refrigerated semitrailers (or reefers)
Ragtops (canvas-covered, boxlike trailers)
Dry vans (nonrefrigerated semitrailers)
Liquid tankers (trailers designed to carry liquid or fine bulk materials
Containers (shipping containers used for freight carried on ships or trains)
Air-ride (trailers built to reduce road shock and designed to carry fragile items)

Freight brokers often specialize in a certain type of cargo which will often require a certain type of truck.  One of our graduates focus is cars.  Cars are moved on transporters.  This freight broker has learned the carriers that drive transporters.  She also has built a relationship with car dealers, auctions and manufacturers that need their cars moved. 

The world of transportation is quite fascinating.  Enjoy learning all you can about trucks, various cargo loads and what is required to handle each.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com

Start Up Business Success

You probably know that statistics show about half of start up businesses will fail within the first 5 years.  I found this report from the Statistic Brain Research Institute interesting.  Failure rates vary within industry.  The transportation industry has a better success rate than most (55%)  So if you are looking to start a business consider freight brokering.  A sure way to increase the likelihood of your success is to get some training.  Our freight broker training school consistently gets great reviews from our students.  The training is quick (one to two weeks).  And we will be there for you as you get started. 

Startup Business Failure Rate By Industry

Industry	Percent Still Operating After 4 Years
Finance Insurance and Real Estate	58 %
Education and Health	56 %
Agriculture	56 %
Services	55 %
Wholesale	54 %
Mining	51 %
Manufacturing	49 %
Construction	47 %
Retail	47 %
Transportation, Communication and Utilities	45 %
Information	37 %
Year	Percent Failed
Year 1	25 %
Year 2	36 %
Year 3	44 %
Year 4	50 %
Year 5	55 %
Year 6	60 %
Year 7	63 %
Year 8	66 %
Year 9	69 %
Year 10	71 %

	Major Cause	Percentage of Failures	Specific Pitfalls
1	Incompetence	46 %	Emotional Pricing
			Living too high for the business
			Nonpayment of taxes
			No knowledge of pricing
			Lack of planning
			No knowledge of financing
			No experience in record-keeping
2	Unbalanced Experience or Lack of Managerial Experience	30 %	Poor credit granting practices
			Expansion too rapid
			Inadequate borrowing practices
3	Lack of Experiences in line of goods or services	11 %	Carry inadequate inventory
			No knowledge of suppliers
			Wasted advertising budget
5	Neglect, fraud, disaster	1 %

	Leading Management Mistakes
1	Going into business for the wrong reasons
2	Advice from family and friends
3	Being in the wrong place at the wrong time
4	Entrepreneur gets worn-out and/or underestimated the time requirements
5	Family pressure on time and money commitments
6	Pride
7	Lack of market awareness
8	The entrepreneure falls in love with the product/business
9	Lack of financial responsibility and awareness
10	Lack of a clear focus
11	Too much money
12	Optimistic/Realistic/Pessimistic

	New Business Statistics
	Business Closure Statistics
	Small Business Website Statistics

Statistic Verification

Source: Entrepreneur Weekly, Small Business Development Center, Bradley Univ, University of Tennessee Research

Research Date: July 5th, 2015

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

2015 Statistic Brain Research Institute

Husband and Wife, Dynamo Working Team

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Looking for a great family business for a husband and wife to work together? Freight brokering/freight broker agent is that business.  Brooke Transportation Training has had many couples attend our freight broker training together.  They can build their business both having the same knowledge and motivation we teach in our classes.  I know in my marriage, my wife is a better listener than I am.  When a husband and wife come they retain different bits of information.  As a broker you work both ends of the lane, both the goods distributor and the carrier.  My wife and I have worked together for a couple of decades.  I’m good at building relationships with customers.  She’s good at details, so she keeps all our paperwork done and pays the bills. 

The transportation industry is critical in our economy. Freight brokering is a job that is always needed because we are a consumptive society.  Families spend millions of dollars each week on groceries, clothes, and household needs.  Those needs have to moved from one area of the country to another.

In our last live freight broker training class in Dallas the Davis husband and wife team attended.  This is what they said about the class:

“When my husband and I arrived to Brooke Transportation Training, we figured we would gain some knowledge on being a broker, from day one Mr. Vinny gave us way more insight on the brokering than we expected. We could not have made a better decision on coming to this training.  Brooke Transportation Training is the absolute best.” -- Allison Davis

“Attending this class has been a joyful experience.  Mr. Vinny went above and beyond.  Me and my wife have gained knowledge and understanding to take back with us to officially run a company.  We couldn’t be more excited and grateful for this opportunity.

Brooke Transportation training was the best decision my wife and I could have made.  Mr. Vinny gave us so much knowledge on so many subjects.  It was just a great opportunity for me (us).  And we would do it all over again.  Hopefully this training will help us to be more successful as a broker. “

--Daryl Davis

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com

P.S.  We often have a 2 for 1 special going so if you'd like to attend with your spouse or another just ask.  

Working with Carriers

As a freight broker or freight broker agent, it is wise to develop working relationships with carriers of all kinds.  Some shippers have their own fleet of carriers.  The tendency of new freight brokers is to assume that those shippers don't ever need a broker.  That is simply not the way it works.  Even though they have their own goods that they move across the country all the time, they often need a broker to fill an empty or partially empty truck (LTL/less than truckload) on their return trip.  If a truck can haul a load both ways it is more profitable, more efficient and more environmental.  A full truck both ways saves fuel and the truck drivers' time.

Private and "for hire" motor carriers are companies that provide truck transportation.  The private carriers have cargo to move.  The "For Hire" motor carrier provides transportation of loads belonging to others that don't have a fleet.  During peak seasons of cargo movement (i.e. harvest time for farmers or Christmas stock for retailers, etc.)  a private carrier may need a "for hire" motor carrier to help with their excess loads.   There are two types of "For Hire" motor carriers:   Common and contract.  

As a freight broker establishes his business he should figure out a focus industry.  As a broker focuses on a specific business he will learn who needs his services.  A freight broker or freight broker agent knows he is on the road to great success when he gains repeat business.

Get to know shipper and carriers.  Establish a solid business reputation of integrity.  Work hard and you will find success.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com

Adapted from Entrepreneur's "Start Your Own Freight Broker Business"  Fourth Edition by the staff or Entrepreneur Media and Jacquelyn Lynn

Above and Beyond Expectations

A group of new freight brokers and freight broker agents are on the loose.  Here are their thoughts about the live freight broker class they completed with Brooke Transportation Training in Dallas.  Thank you students for being a great group and spending this week with us to broaden your horizons.  The sky is the limit with freight broker training. 

They called the course "eye-opening, above and beyond expectations, fun, a wealth of information"…well you read what they said.  We are honored to have spent the week with them.

I am a Freight Carrier who is expanding our business.  This class has created in me a new hope and mindset for our company’s future.  I am beginning to see the possibilities can be endless with dedication and hard work with a heart for customer service. --John Eakin

 P.S. Vinny is the man.  What an instructor!!!!



The opportunity to speak with Tish and have online presentation and phone was invaluable.  It was eye opening and real world experience.  Great work and information. --Taryn Connely


This class was above and beyond what I expected.  I came in with the idea that this job was simple.  I was very wrong.  This was overwhelming at first but the class is very interactive and hands on which gave me the opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and find resources.  This class gives you all the info you need in order to be a broker so although the class and industry are a difficult challenge, neither are too hard.



This instructor, Vinny, was very friendly, funny, and resourceful!  He made everyone feel comfortable and involved in order to learn the best we could.  It was a very safe and welcoming environment despite my shy personality.







This was a great learning experience for me.  It really opened my eyes.  This has helped me so much I am excited and eager to get back and get to work.  Vinny is not just an instructor, he is a friend, and funny guy.  He said he will be checking up on us so that is reassuring.  --Robert


I received a lot more than I expected from this class.  I came in to learn how to be a broker and received personal growth as well.


I am so thankful that I took this course to help me go to this next level in business.  The trainer (Vinny) provided not only a wealth of knowledge to help grow the business but all the brokers who came in to assist provided us with the proof that this school actually cares and will assist us in being successful. --Don Denise Reed


When my husband and I arrived to Brooke Transportation Training, we figured we would gain some knowledge on being a broker, from day one Mr. Vinny gave us way more insight on the brokering than we expected.  We could not have made a better decision on coming to this training.  Brooke Transportation Training is the absolute best. -- Allison Davis



Attending this class has been a joyful experience.  Mr. Vinny went above and beyond.  Me and my wife have gained knowledge and understanding to take back with us to officially run a company.  We couldn’t be more excited and grateful for this opportunity.

Brooke Transportation training was the best decision my wife and I could have made.  Mr. Vinny gave us so much knowledge on so many subjects.  It was just a great opportunity for me (us).  And we would do it all over again.  Hopefully this training will help us to be more successful as a broker. --Daryl Davis



This class was/is the most greatest experience.  I gained confidence in myself and from the instructor to move forward in my business.  This class has encouraged me to achieve my goals in every possible way and merging my current Transportation firm into 1 big brokerage firm.  Thank you Vinny. --Victor


Our sincere appreciation for absolutely outstanding information in this class that will move my business into a “Million Dollar” company.  All of my needs have been met with Brooke Transportation.

I am thoroughly impressed with every aspect of this operation!  The instructor was very detailed, inspiring, friendly, great, happy, helpful, and well educated with the knowledge of the program. --Antoinette Boston

Reading through these testimonials every month assures me that I am in the right business.  I am so honored to be a part of preparing others to succeed beyond their expectations!

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.transportationtraining.com

The Best Thing About Being a Freight Broker

According to a recent survey in Transportation Journal magazine, the aspects brokers enjoy most about their work are solving problems for their customers and the fast-paced environment of the transportation industry.

So if you are a problem solver and like to keep moving then freight brokering is right up your alley.  I have always excelled in sales no matter what it was I was selling. Selling is simply helping another fill a need.  A manufacturer has a need to get merchandise moved from one area of the country to another and a broker solves that need by finding a carrier who needs to fill his truck from one area of the country to another. 

What is most frustrating about being a freight broker?  According to the survey brokers are frustrated with the lack of trucks and the feeling that brokers are not respected as professionals.  The need for more truck drivers is well documented. I recently read an article that praised the military for their training of carriers so that as soon as they get finished with their service they can easily move into the transportation industry as a truck driver.  I'm proud that our school is certified to train disabled vets to become freight brokers.  So if you know someone who needs a job, encourage them to become a truck driver or a freight broker.

I believe we as freight brokers or freight broker agents can change the thought that brokers are not professional by always conducting business with the highest level of integrity.  That is what we train in our freight broker training courses.  Honesty is the best policy.  Sometimes a little white lie may seem easier than telling the whole truth but in the long run it is not worth it.  If a customer gets the smallest hint that you are not being totally above board with him, he will take his business elsewhere.  Most professionals respect, prefer and expect others to take responsibility for their mistakes.  We all make mistakes but we don't all own up to our mistakes.  Now that is a mistake.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com

Freight Broker Motivation

In our training we try to load our students up with motivation in becoming an excellent freight broker.  A key to being a success is staying inspired.  I am big fan of Zig Ziglar.  I use his quotes as words to live by.  I encourage my students, my friends, my family, my new acquaintance at Starbucks, well anyone who will listen, to heed Zig's wise advice.  Zig is no longer with us in body but he lives on with his legacy of great motivational quotes and his model of a life well lived.

So what are a few Zig words that are crucial to life and in being a great freight broker?

"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough people get want they want."  Zig Ziglar

The key to finding success as a freight broker or freight broker agent is helping shippers get what they want. As well as helping carriers get what they want.  Shippers want their goods moved when they need, where they need at a price they need.  Carriers want their trucks full both to and from a destination and to be paid fairly in a timely manner.  That is freight brokering in a nutshell. 

A big component of a freight broker's job is listening to both sides and then negotiating a fair deal.  The first deal is the hardest because you haven't built up a reputation.  As you do a good job for one customer you will have confidence to move forward.  Your reputation in the industry is built one job at a time. 

Our tendency is to start the day thinking "what do I want today?"  According to Zig we should start the day thinking through who we can help get what they want.  Continue on the path of helping others and you will realize you have what you want. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com